Students differentiate between wants and needs. In this basic needs instructional activity, students prepare to pack for a trip to grandma's house and determine what they need for the trip and what they want for the trip.

Middle schoolers explore the concept of budgeting. In this budgeting lesson plan, students pick an occupation and develop a list of needs and wants. Middle schoolers make a list of monthly expenses and budget their income to afford those...

More than 100 cities around the world have shifted from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources. Scholars investigate a city wanting to make this switch, but needs help determining how to make the shift. Groups consider all options,...

Students investigate the needs that need to met in order for a family to survive and flourish.

Travel back to 1787 as young scholars investigate the creation of the US Constitution. After first working in small groups to create sets of classroom rules, learners go on to read a summary of the Constitution and watch a short video...

Your teenagers are probably very good at spending money, but how good are they at managing it? Teach class members about banking, checking accounts, interest rates, car insurance, and many other relevant concepts with a series of...

Students explore wants and needs. In this family budgeting lesson, students play the Food Money game to help them distinguish between food wants and needs. Students discuss their impressions of the game and food budgets.

Demonstrate the important economic principles of the production possibilities curve, including how to calculate opportunity cost and graph curves by using a table or calculation. Learners use a variety of methods, including videos,...

Whether out of choice or necessity, people want to know what will happen on a typical day in court. A helpful lesson walks scholars in the field of criminology through the trial process from opening statements to the final verdict. 

Students realize that clear values are a resource of behavior in clarifying needs and wants. They clarify feelings and wants and verbalize ways in which they give up freedom and control in their lives by relinquishing decisions to...

Students explore math functions by preparing a meal. In this food measurement lesson, students examine a recipe for a meal and alter the size of the recipe based upon the amount of servings needed. Students utilize manipulatives to...

Students explore the issue of "human rights" and discuss world events/situations in which human rights are in question. They determine their own needs and wants and simulate the experience of being a refugee having to leave their home. ...

Students act as reporters to develop interview skills. In this interview lessons, students develop the skills needed to use anecdotes and quotes to make an interview interesting. They practice asking questions over and above the 5 W's so...

A thought-provoking lesson which will provide your 5th graders with a world view. Pupils discuss children's rights here in the US and around the world, and do some comparisons. They watch a video, embedded in the plan, that shows a young...

Students play vocabulary game in which they create riddles and answers.

Students play the role of realtors with other classmates as the prospective homebuyers. The "realtors" determine questions to ask the prospective homebuyer so that they can help the "homebuyers" find the home best suited to their needs...

Students research the idea of basic needs, study philanthropists in their community, and think about ways to help others receive basic needs. In this needs and philanthropy lesson, students brainstorm about basic needs. Students use...

Here is an interesting topic. Learners examine the economics that led to the founding of the First Bank of America. They participate in a reader's theater experience depicting the debate between Alexander Hamilton and Thomas Jefferson...

Learners explore technology by completing a worksheet in class. In this common machinery lesson, students define the different designs that make simple machines work such as wheels, pulleys and gears. Learners utilize verbs to describe...

Students study genetic traits using popsicle sticks as chromosomes. In this biology lesson, students explain how traits are inherited from parents. They differentiate dominant and recessive genes.

Young chefs follow the set-by-step instructions of a recipe and use their prior knowledge of the body parts of a spider to make edible spider cookies.  After completing a pre-writing graphic organizer they then write a "how to"...

Learners identify the needs of prisoners through the study of the Civil War. In this Civil War lesson, students are divided into two groups to represent the two armies. Learners simulate a situation where students are captured prisoners...

Students role play scenarios about making smart sexual choices. In this health lesson, students discuss the consequences of sexual decisions they make when they are teens. They analyze how these can affect their future and the people who...

Students identify pathways and to explore movement along those pathways. They move around the room and follow the teacher designed pathways made with the shapes.