Oral Language, Listening, Speaking, Science, Life Science, Social Studies

Grade 1- 3

Objective

Students recognize basic necessities of life.

Directions

Discuss with students what they think the basic necessities of life are. Ask them what they need in a day in order to survive. Talk about what makes some things (like food) necessary for existence and others (like television or video games) luxury items.
Begin making a list of necessities. This activity can be easily done as a small-group project. Each group makes its own list and then compares it with the whole class. Tell students to be sure that they know why they chose each item on the list. Ask them how this list might change if they lived in another country. Continue with a discussion as to whether needs might change from culture to culture.
Ask students the following questions: Because somebody is different, does that make him or her wrong/right or better/worse than you? Why? We need to repect each other's differences, so how can we show respect . . . in the classroom? . . . on the playground? . . . at home? . . . with a neighbor? . . . with a person from another culture? How would you like to be treated?
Ask students to talk about how they would feel if they were transported into a country where they didn't know anyone and could not speak the language. How could someone help them to feel better?
Distribute one copy of the Everybody Needs book page to each student. Have them fold the page in half at the dotted line and use crayons or colored pencils to illustrate the cover. Then have them write on the inside the things they feel that everybody needs.

Resources

• Everybody Needs book page
• colored pencils
• crayons
• Hats, Hats, Hats by Ann Morris (Mulberry Books, 1993)
• Bread, Bread, Bread by Ann Morris (Mulberry Books, 1993)