MaiStoryBook Library

MaiStoryBook: Wants vs. Needs vs. Robots + *Wants vs. Needs Robot* Activity

by MaiStoryBook

Introducing an entertaining read aloud about the differences between wants and needs~ with the help of some robot friends~ featured in the MaiStoryBook Library Collection: 

“Wants vs. Needs vs. Robots” by Michael Rex

*~Click here to purchase your own copy of “Wants vs. Needs vs. Robots” to start on your own reading adventure!~*

Book Synopsis and Review

Understanding the difference between a want and a need can be difficult, especially when you strongly desire something. While things like jellybean tacos and groovy boots may not be essential, items like fuel and footwear are necessary. In the book, robots illustrate this concept by making trades to obtain things they want, but also giving up items they need.

This book is a valuable resource for littles. Humor makes the important concept of wants vs. needs easily understandable and enjoyable to learn. It is a timely companion to Facts vs. Opinions vs. Robots, and is sure to be a book that kids will want to read again and again.

Vocabulary

  • need (p. 1) Something you cannot live without
  • want (p. 1) Something you do not need, but you would enjoy
  • fabulous (p. 9) very cool and wonderful
  • platypus (p. 11) a small animal that has webbed feet like a duck, but a furry body. It lays eggs and swims and is a mammal.
  • balance (p. 13) having an equal amount of both things, or enoi

Themes/Main Idea

  • A want is something you do not need, but something you would enjoy. A need is something you cannot live without.
  • When you take care of the things you need, you can enjoy the things you want.

YouTube Video: Guided Shared-Reading Read Aloud Example

Example of a shared-reading, interactive Read Aloud of “Wants vs. Needs vs. Robots” – how to subtly introduce the vocabulary list words within the text, ask guided questions, and spark conversation!

*~Check it Out~*

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*Want vs. Need* Robots Craft

Sometimes littles can *want* something so much, that it feels like they *need* it. Same goes for adults too- I’ve felt that way before! However, there is a clear distinction between things we want and things we need: One we cannot live without, the other we would enjoy- but can survive just fine without. If your littles need help differentiating between the wants vs. needs, you may need to enlist some *robots* to help you! *Wants vs. Needs vs. Robots* is the perfect humorous, and informative, read to help your littles identify their wants vs. needs. And to help deepen their understanding, check out this Wants vs. Needs Robot craft to help littles practice identifying the things they went versus the things they need.

Materials

Directions

  • Choose your pieces for the Robot template. There are colored and black and white versions. (Robots inspired by robots from the book)
  • Head: Semi-Circle/Red, Rectangle/Yellow, Hexagon/Green
  • Arms and Legs (match the arms with correct head/color)
  • Front Body Prompt: “_______’s Wants vs. Needs” (Fill in your name in the blank)
  • Inside Body Templates:
  • 3 Different versions:
  • Flaps with Want vs. Need definition filled in, with fill-in-the-blank definitions, or write your mown definitions
  • Fill in the Blank Answers: “ A Want is something you Do Not Need, but is something you would Enjoy.” and “A Need is something you Cannot Survive Without.”
  • Each version has 3 differentiated versions: Wants vs. Needs with all lines, Wants vs. Needs with lines and picture space, Wants vs. Needs blank definition
  • PRINT THE BODY DOUBLE SIDED: Choose your front body template and inside body template and print them double sided. (Or print separate and Glue BACK-TO-BACK)
  • If you chose black and white versions, color them in.
  • Cut them out.
  • For the body, fold the two flaps in, so that the prompt is facing the front, and when you open the flaps, the writing/drawing on the inside is revealed.
  •  Fill in the inside: List your wants vs. needs.
  • Next, attach the head by taping/gluing the bottom of the neck to the back of the body.
  • Glue the arms and legs to the back of the body as well.

Enjoy Your *Wants vs. Needs* Robots Craft

  • Share your Wants vs. Needs with friends and family, and ask them what some of their wants and needs are.
  • Read aloud some of your Wants and Needs, and have a listener guess which ones are wants and which ones are needs
  • Display your robots to remind you about the differences between Wants vs. Needs.

*~Overall, as always, I hope you all are having exciting reading adventures! Tag me on Instagram @MaiStoryBookLibrary or FaceBook , find me on TikTok or contact me via email to share your own *Wants vs. Needs* Robot Crafts and your own reading adventures! I’d love to hear from you and learn more about you!~*

*~Until next time, Happy Reading~*

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