📖

Sorting Needs and Wants

Needs and Wants

Day 138of 180
Week 28of 36
25Minutes
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🖨️ Download Worksheet (PDF)
🎯 What You'll Learn

Learning Objectives

1

Distinguish between needs and wants

2

Practice categorizing items

3

Understand basic economic concepts

📖 Scripture Connection

Philippians 4:19

“My God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.”

— Philippians 4:19 (WEB)

God promises to provide what we truly need

📦 Materials Needed

  • Sorting mats
  • Magazine pictures
  • Glue
  • Scissors
  • Poster board
📚 Step-by-Step

Lesson Plan

1Opening (5 min)

Gather students in a circle and review previous lessons about needs and wants. Ask students to share one thing they need and one thing they want.

💭 Review Question: Can you tell me the difference between a need and a want?
2Teaching (10 min)

Explain that needs are things we must have to live, like food, water, shelter, and clothing. Wants are things that are nice to have but not necessary for survival.

📌 Key Talking Points:
  • Needs keep us alive and healthy
  • Wants make us happy but aren't essential
  • God provides for our needs
💬 Discussion Questions:
  • What are some things you need every day?
  • What are some things you want but don't absolutely need?
3Activity: Needs and Wants Sorting Activity (7 min)
hands-on sorting

Students will cut out pictures from magazines and sort them into needs and wants categories on a poster board.

📝 Instructions:
  1. Cut out pictures from magazines
  2. Create two columns on poster board: 'Needs' and 'Wants'
  3. Glue pictures in the correct column
  4. Share your poster with the class
🔄 Variations:

Simpler: Provide pre-cut pictures for sorting

Challenge: Have students draw some of their own pictures

4Closing (3 min)

Recap the difference between needs and wants, pray together thanking God for providing our needs.

📝 Review Questions:
  • What is one thing you need?
  • What is one thing you want?
  • Who provides for our needs?
🙏 Prayer:

Dear God, thank you for giving us everything we need. Help us to be thankful for your love and care. Amen.

Coming up: Tomorrow we'll learn about making choices with our needs and wants

💎 Memory Verse

Philippians 4:19

“My God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.”

— Philippians 4:19 (WEB)

🎯 Activity: Create hand motions to help remember the verse

👨‍👩‍👧 For Parents

Teaching Notes

📚 Background:

Understanding needs vs. wants is an important early economic concept

💡 Teaching Tips:
  • Use simple, concrete examples
  • Be patient with sorting activities
  • Encourage critical thinking
🤔 Common Struggles:

Children may have difficulty distinguishing between needs and wants

👀 Signs of Understanding:

Ability to categorize items correctly and explain reasoning

🚀 Want More?

Extension Activities

  • Create a needs and wants journal
  • Play a sorting game at home
  • Discuss family budget and making choices

Ready for Tomorrow?

Great job completing today's lesson!

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