What you will be able to do
distinguish a need from a want in a stated situation; explain scarcity with a concrete example; make a choice and name what is given up
Needs, Wants, Scarcity, and Choice
Why do people make choices when time, money, space, and materials are limited?
Activate what you know
Imagine a fictional class with ten minutes and two possible read-alouds. Choose one and say what the class gives up for now
- needsomething necessary for health, safety, or basic living
- wantsomething a person would like but can live without
- scarcitythe condition that time, money, space, and resources are limited compared with all the uses people have for them
- choicea decision between two or more options
- resourcesomething useful for meeting needs or wants
- limitedavailable only in a certain amount
- give upthe option not chosen when a decision is made
1
Needs Are Basic; Wants Add Choices and Preferences
Needs include basics such as safe water, food, shelter, clothing for conditions, health care, safety, and caring relationships. Wants are things people would enjoy or prefer but can live without. A person needs protection from cold weather but may want a coat in a favorite color. People and communities can meet the same need in different ways. Context matters. Transportation may be necessary for reaching work, school, food, or medical care, but the needed kind depends on location and ability. We should not judge someone for what they have, lack, or choose. Economics helps us describe choices and limits; it should not be used to shame people
2
Every Choice Uses Limited Resources
Scarcity exists because resources are limited while people can imagine many uses for them. A class may have only one hour, one room, or a certain amount of paper. If the room cannot hold two workshops at the same time, the group must choose, change the schedule, find another space, or seek more resources. A thoughtful choice compares options and explains a reason. Choosing the art workshop now means giving up the music workshop during that hour, even if music can happen later. The option given up is part of the choice. Groups can also look for fair ways to share, take turns, reuse materials, or increase access
Name the Need Under the Item
Ask what basic purpose the item serves. Different goods or services can meet the same need
Use the Choice Sentence
Have the learner say: ‘Because ___ is limited, I choose ___ for now. I give up ___ for now because ___.’
Scarcity Does Not Mean Poverty
Scarcity is the economic fact that resources have limits and many possible uses. Poverty is a serious condition in which people lack enough resources to meet basic needs; the ideas are related but not identical
Plan with Ten Art Sheets
A fictional class has ten large sheets and two project ideas. Choose one project, explain how the paper limit affects the choice, and suggest a fair way to include everyone
Needs support basic living, while wants reflect additional preferences. Because resources are limited, people and groups make choices, give up alternatives, and can seek fair ways to share or expand access
Practice and answer guide
Work through all 8 questions. Open an answer only after you have written or explained your response.
- 1. Which is a basic need? A. safe drinking water B. a third toy robot C. a glittery pencil case
Check answer
Safe drinking water
- 2. Which statement shows a want connected to a need? A. A person needs warmth and wants a purple coat. B. A person needs only purple things to live. C. Everyone wants the same coat
Check answer
A person needs warmth and wants a purple coat
- 3. Draw two different ways a fictional community could help meet the need for safe transportation
Check answer
Answers will vary. Examples include an accessible bus, safe walking route, bike route, or community shuttle. The response must show two plausible methods without assuming one works everywhere
- 4. Explain scarcity using the one-room, two-workshop example
Check answer
The room is limited to one use during that hour, while the group has two desired uses, so it must choose or find another arrangement
- 5. A class has time for one activity: map practice or a timeline game. If it chooses the timeline game, what does it give up for now?
Check answer
Map practice during that time
- 6. Why should we not judge a person by the goods or services available to them?
Check answer
Access and circumstances differ, and possessions do not measure a person’s effort, choices, dignity, or worth
- 7. Which action may help a group respond fairly to limited materials? A. take turns and reuse safe materials B. let one person keep everything C. pretend the limit does not exist
Check answer
Take turns and reuse safe materials
- 8. A fictional club has $12 and can buy a $12 book or $12 of garden seeds. Make a choice, give one reason, and name what is given up
Check answer
Either choice is acceptable with a sensible reason. The answer must name the unchosen item as what is given up