About the inquiry

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 Question

Brainstorm examples of wants and needs and discuss examples of goods and services.

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.