This annotated kindergarten inquiry focuses on the economics concept of scarcity by developing an understanding of needs and wants and goods and services through the compelling question, “Can we get everything we need and want?” The distinctions between these constructs serve as the necessary components of an examination of the choices people must make when faced with potential limitations.
Compelling Question:
Can we get everything we need and want?
Staging the Question:
Brainstorm examples of wants and needs and discuss examples of goods and services.
1
Supporting Question What do we want? What do we need?
Formative Task Sort and categorize items as needs or wants.
Sources Source A: Image bank: Needs and wants
2
Supporting Question How do goods and services meet our needs and wants?
Formative Task Identify a need or want and determine ways in which it could be satisfied through goods and services.
Sources Source A: Image bank: Goods and services
3
Supporting Question What happens when there isn’t enough for everyone?
Formative Task Participate in a discussion of options people have when faced with scarcity.
Sources Source A: Image bank: Scarcity
Summative Performance Task
Argument: Why can’t we ever get everything we need and want? In small groups, construct arguments, supported with evidence, that address the question of whether or not we can ever get everything we need and want.
Extension: Create two-sided collages with images of needs (or goods) on one side and wants (or services) on the other.
Taking Informed Action
Understand: Identify a need or want for the classroom.
Assess: Brainstorm methods of fulfilling the need or want for the classroom.
Act: Select and act on a method of fulfilling the need or want for the classroom.