Note to the teacher: This three-part activity begins with a whole-group discussion
on needs versus wants and is completed by individual students
as they write a paragraph that describes their housing needs
and wants.
Activity: Needs Versus Wants
Shelley Emmer, New York Association
for New Immigrants, New York, NY
Part I: Discuss the difference
between needs and wants and give a few examples. (For example,
we need clothing; we may want the latest fashions. Direct
the discussion toward buying a home. What are the needs
and wants of a family?) As you discuss, write the students’
answers on the blackboard.
NEEDS
3 bedrooms (many children)
Yard
Close to subway or bus
Parking
No lead paint
WANTS
Fireplace
Quiet street
Walk to schools, stores, library
Big fenced-in yard
Many windows
Part II: As not every student will
have the same needs and wants, have each student create
his or her own needs/wants list to consider when buying
a home. This activity helps students to establish priorities
when doing a home search. Students can use this list as
they conduct a home search.
Part III: Have students use their
needs/wants list to write a paragraph about what they need
and what they want in a house.
