Day One - Need vs. Want
Objectives:
Describe the difference between a need and a want and give an example of each.
List the basic needs of plants.
Materials:
Students' Interactive Notebooks
Need and Want Cards (links to printable versions below)
Powerpoint slideshow of items plants do and don't need
Lesson:
Before beginning to talk about what plants and animals need to survive, the class must clearly know the difference between a need and a want. At the beginning of class ask students to write in their Interactive Notebooks what things they think they must have in order to survive and what other things they want but don't really need.
After writing in their journals have some students share and get a few ideas on the board. Then distribute a set of Need and Want cards (which can be printed from the Brown County website or found below) to every table or group of students. Have each group collectively put the cards in two piles: needs and wants. Once all the groups are done, ask about the items one at a time and have each group tell you in which pile they placed that item. If there are any disagreements or wrong answers, discuss with the class why that item is either a need or a want. Then have volunteers try to define need and want to ensure that the concepts are clear.
Then transition to discussing what the kids think plants need to grow. After getting thoughts from the class, tell students about what they really need: air, water, light, nutrients, and space. Next, run through a Powerpoint or similar collection of images showing things that plants do and don't require to survive such as sunlight, dirt, a pot, water, stabilizing posts etc. and have students decide which things are necessary for a plant to grow and which it can do without.
Differentiation:
There is no real differentiation for this lesson.
Assessment:
Have students create a list of five specific needs and five specific wants that are relevant to their daily life.
Reference:
Got Dirt? Gardening Initiative
http://www.co.brown.wi.us/departments/page_5ddf83a298e6/?department=68d3c3d55278&subdepartment=b2b33ee26bfc
Resources:
Need and Want Cards (original can be found at link above):
Describe the difference between a need and a want and give an example of each.
List the basic needs of plants.
Materials:
Students' Interactive Notebooks
Need and Want Cards (links to printable versions below)
Powerpoint slideshow of items plants do and don't need
Lesson:
Before beginning to talk about what plants and animals need to survive, the class must clearly know the difference between a need and a want. At the beginning of class ask students to write in their Interactive Notebooks what things they think they must have in order to survive and what other things they want but don't really need.
After writing in their journals have some students share and get a few ideas on the board. Then distribute a set of Need and Want cards (which can be printed from the Brown County website or found below) to every table or group of students. Have each group collectively put the cards in two piles: needs and wants. Once all the groups are done, ask about the items one at a time and have each group tell you in which pile they placed that item. If there are any disagreements or wrong answers, discuss with the class why that item is either a need or a want. Then have volunteers try to define need and want to ensure that the concepts are clear.
Then transition to discussing what the kids think plants need to grow. After getting thoughts from the class, tell students about what they really need: air, water, light, nutrients, and space. Next, run through a Powerpoint or similar collection of images showing things that plants do and don't require to survive such as sunlight, dirt, a pot, water, stabilizing posts etc. and have students decide which things are necessary for a plant to grow and which it can do without.
Differentiation:
There is no real differentiation for this lesson.
Assessment:
Have students create a list of five specific needs and five specific wants that are relevant to their daily life.
Reference:
Got Dirt? Gardening Initiative
http://www.co.brown.wi.us/departments/page_5ddf83a298e6/?department=68d3c3d55278&subdepartment=b2b33ee26bfc
Resources:
Need and Want Cards (original can be found at link above):