Consumer Needs Insights

Unit: Business Basics: Shark Tank!

Lesson 2 of 20
Duration: 45 minutes
Year Level: Year 6
Class Size: 25 students

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Learning Objectives

Aligned to the Australian Curriculum (v9) — Humanities and Social Sciences: Economics and Business (Year 6)

• ACHASSK133: Identify the difference between needs and wants and explain how individuals, businesses and governments prioritize economic choices to satisfy them.
• ACHASSI111: Identify and locate relevant sources and information (primary and secondary) to answer inquiry questions.
• ACHASSI112: Compare information from a range of sources to develop an integrated understanding of an inquiry topic.

Specifically:

• Understand and articulate the difference between consumer needs and wants.
• Explain the importance of understanding consumer behaviour in business decision-making.
• Investigate personal consumer priorities through reflective inquiry.

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Learning Intention

• I can identify the difference between needs and wants.
• I understand why businesses must know about consumer needs and wants.

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Success Criteria

• Clearly list and differentiate five personal needs versus five wants.
• Explain how knowing consumer behaviour helps businesses.
• Participate in class discussion sharing individual consumer priorities.

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Resources

• Whiteboard and markers
• Projector/display for visual aids
• “Needs vs Wants” chart handout (simple definitions with examples)
• Individual student worksheets for listing top 5 needs and wants
• Sticky notes for sharing
• Timer

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Lesson Structure

1. Warm-up & Introduction (5 minutes)

• Engage with a quick question:
  Ask students: “If you could have anything right now, what would you want? Now, what do you think you really need to live?”
• Display images of various items (e.g., water, phone, food, toys, clothes).
• Class brainstorm — What is a need? What is a want?
• Briefly define the terms together, using simple language anchored in real life.

2. Explicit Teaching & Discussion (10 minutes)

• Show a short story/example: “Imagine you are a business person trying to sell something. Why would it be important to know what people need and want?”
• Discuss the importance of understanding consumer behaviour — how it helps businesses decide what products to make, how to advertise, and how to meet demands.
• Introduce key points:
  • Needs are essential for survival (food, water, shelter).
  • Wants are things that make our lives more comfortable or fun but are not essential.
  • Businesses succeed by knowing the difference and focusing on consumer needs/wants.

3. Individual Task — Needs and Wants List (15 minutes)

• Provide each student with a worksheet.
• Task: List your top 5 needs and top 5 wants. Encourage reflection — what do I really need? What do I want for pleasure?
• Students write independently.
• Walk around to support and prompt thinking, ensuring clarity between needs and wants.

4. Sharing and Class Discussion (10 minutes)

• Ask students to write their top 1 need and top 1 want on sticky notes.
• Collect sticky notes on a board divided into two columns: Needs and Wants.
• Facilitate a class discussion on:
  • Similarities and differences in needs and wants among students.
  • What this might mean for a business trying to make decisions about what to sell.
• Emphasise that understanding these differences shapes successful business decisions.

5. Wrap-Up and Reflection (5 minutes)

• Recap the difference between needs and wants.
• Quick exit question (oral or on paper):
  “Why would it be important for a business to understand what people need and want?”
• Preview next lesson teaser: How do businesses create products to meet these needs and wants?

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Differentiation

• For students requiring support: Provide examples on the worksheet with pictures.
• For higher achievers: Challenge them to think of needs and wants beyond themselves — such as their family or community.

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Assessment / Feedback

• Monitor student lists to assess understanding of needs vs wants.
• Use participation in discussion to gauge understanding of consumer behaviour concepts.
• Exit question responses as formative assessment on importance of consumer needs knowledge in business.

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Australian Curriculum References

• Economics and Business (Year 6):

  • Differentiate needs and wants, and how choices about spending are made to meet them (ACHASSK133).
  • Locate and use information to answer questions and describe consumer behaviour (ACHASSI111, ACHASSI112).
  • Recognise the role of consumer choices and how they affect individual and community wellbeing (elaborations in AC9HS6K08 for consumer choices).

• Humanities and Social Sciences General Capabilities:

  • Critical and Creative Thinking: analysing choices and outcomes.
  • Personal and Social Capability: recognising personal consumer needs and group differences.

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Teacher’s Notes

• Use relatable examples linked to students’ lives (e.g., snacks, clothing, technology).
• Encourage respectful listening during sharing to highlight diversity in consumer choices.
• Incorporate environmental sustainability briefly by noting how some wants can impact the environment.
• Tie in simple economic concepts: businesses rely on consumers’ preferences to succeed.

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This lesson plan is designed to engage Year 6 students actively with foundational business concepts aligned with the Australian Curriculum v9, meeting curriculum standards and fostering fundamental economic literacy. It sets a practical, personal basis for the "Shark Tank" Business Basics unit to build from.

If you require any adapted materials or ideas for interactive technology use, I’m ready to assist!