You will learn
- Say what a resource is.
- Name ways to share.
- Share fairly.
- Say why not to waste.
Version 0.2 · expanded edition · built from cited public sources Content is based on the official frameworks and sources listed under Sources and standards. No official endorsement is claimed. Written in the style of common primary school assessments. No exam result is promised.
Student lesson
- Resources are limited.
- We share fairly.
- We do not waste.
- We think of others.
Words to know
something people use
not unlimited, only so much
to use badly or throw away
to divide or use together
1. Discover: One jug of water
On a hot day, the class has one jug of water. Mr Cole asks, “How can we share it fairly?” Fatmata says, “Each child takes half a cup.” Abu says, “A child who played football may need a bit more.” They pour carefully. No water is wasted. Everyone drinks.
Think: How did they share fairly?
2. Understand: Sharing resources
Idea 1: Resources
A resource is something people use, such as water, food, land, time, wood, electricity and materials. Many resources are limited: there is only so much.
Idea 2: Fair sharing
We can share in different ways: equal shares, taking turns, or giving more to those with a greater need. We agree before we begin and speak politely.
Idea 3: Not wasting
To waste is to use badly or throw away what could be used. We do not leave taps running, throw away good food or leave lights on. Saving resources helps everyone, now and later.
3. Worked examples
Example 1 (I show you): Name a resource
Name three.
- Think.
- Say.
- Check.
Answer: Water, food, time.
Example 2 (We do it together): Share
Share 8 biscuits among 4.
- Count.
- Share equally.
- Check.
Answer: 2 each.
Example 3 (You try): Do not waste
How to save water?
Show the steps and answer
- Think.
- Say.
- Explain.
Answer: Close the tap.
Did you know?
In dry places, families and communities share water carefully, and in some places people store rainwater for use through the dry season.
Why this matters
Sharing and saving resources helps everyone have enough, now and later.
4. Explore: Water share
Use a bowl of water to share among four pretend people using small cups. Try equal shares and share by need. Talk about not spilling.
- Pour carefully.
- Equal.
- By need.
- Discuss.
Think about it: what did you notice?
What did you notice? Careful sharing meant no waste.
5. Practise
Say it in a sentence
Use these starters when you talk about the lesson. Say them out loud.
- A resource is ___.
- We share by ___.
- To waste is ___.
- I save water by ___.
Guided practice
Question 1. What is a resource?
Something we use.
Question 2. Name a resource.
Water.
Question 3. What is waste?
Using badly.
Independent practice
Level 1: Start
- What is a resource?
- Name a resource.
- What is waste?
- Name a way to share.
- Name a way to save water.
Level 2: Grow
- Why share?
- Why not waste?
- Why agree first?
Level 3: Stretch
- Share water.
- Draw a saving idea.
- Tell a friend how to save.
Answers are in the answer key below. Try first, then check.
6. Apply: Social Studies in everyday life
How can you save water at home?
Show a sample answer
Answers vary.
Another one. Do one saving action at home.
Show a sample answer
Share.
7. Common mistakes
Fix: Many are limited.
Fix: Sharing helps everyone.
8. Lesson summary and revision card
- I can say what a resource is.
- I can name ways to share.
- I can share fairly.
- I can say why not to waste.
9. Check and master
Answer all 14 questions. You will see feedback after each one.
Your result appears here after you answer every question.
10. Key takeaways
- Resources are limited.
- We share fairly.
- We do not waste.
- We think of others.
11. Next lesson
Next lesson: What is culture?. Keep going with the next idea in this course.
Exam practice
These questions are written in the style of common school and international primary assessments. Try them on your own, without looking back. Then check your answers in the marking guide. The marks are shown in brackets.
- Name three resources. [3 marks]
- Say two ways to share fairly. [3 marks]
- Say what waste is and one way to avoid it. [2 marks]
- Share 6 pencils among 3. [2 marks]
Total: 10 marks.
Marking guide and model answers
- Three [3]
- Two ways [2]; clear [1]
- Waste [1]; way [1]
- Method [1]; 2 each [1]
Score guide: 9 to 10 = secure. 6 to 8 = nearly there, revise the parts you missed. Under 6 = work through the lesson again with a grown-up.
Printable worksheet
- What is a resource?
- Name a resource.
- What is waste?
- Name a way to share.
- Name a way to save water.
- Why share?
- Why not waste?
- Why agree first?
- Share water.
- Draw a saving idea.
Homework
Do one action to save water or food and tell the class.
Answer key and marking scheme
| Question | Expected response | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| 1. What is a resource? | Something we use. | 1 |
| 2. Name a resource. | Water. | 1 |
| 3. What is waste? | Using badly. | 1 |
| 4. Name a way to share. | Turns. | 1 |
| 5. Name a way to save water. | Close the tap. | 1 |
| 6. Why share? | Everyone needs. | 1 |
| 7. Why not waste? | Keep it for others. | 1 |
| 8. Why agree first? | Fair. | 1 |
| 9. Share water. | Shared. | 1 |
| 10. Draw a saving idea. | Drawing. | 1 |
| Total | 10 |
Independent practice answers. Level 1: 1 Something we use.; 2 Water.; 3 Using badly.; 4 Turns.; 5 Close the tap.. Level 2: 1 Everyone needs.; 2 Keep it for others.; 3 Fair.. Level 3: 1 Shared.; 2 Drawing.; 3 Sentence..
Quiz answers: 1 B, 2 C, 3 A, 4 B, 5 C, 6 A, 7 B, 8 C, 9 A, 10 B, 11 C, 12 A, Challenge 1 B, Challenge 2 C.
Mastery and remediation
| Objective | Bronze (Developing) | Silver (Proficient) | Gold (Advanced) |
|---|---|---|---|
| O1 Say what a resource is | Shows this with help from an adult or a picture | Does this independently and explains how they know | Explains it clearly and uses it in a new situation |
| O2 Name ways to share | Shows this with help from an adult or a picture | Does this independently and explains how they know | Explains it clearly and uses it in a new situation |
| O3 Share fairly | Shows this with help from an adult or a picture | Does this independently and explains how they know | Explains it clearly and uses it in a new situation |
| O4 Say why not to waste | Shows this with help from an adult or a picture | Does this independently and explains how they know | Explains it clearly and uses it in a new situation |
Courseversity badge thresholds (overall quiz score): Gold = 90–100%; Silver = 80–89.9%; Bronze = 70–79.9%. A badge is never a full record of progress.
If a learner struggles
- Find the misconception: “Resources never run out.” Many are limited.
- Explain another way: use real objects, pictures or actions first, then words.
- Show a simpler example: Pour sand between cups to share.
- Guided practice: work through one example together and let the learner try the next one.
- Reassess: use the quiz again or the worksheet.
- Move on when the learner shows Silver-level evidence independently.
For parents and guardians
In this lesson your child learns about sharing limited resources. Please model saving water and food at home. You do not need to be an expert to help.
- Turn off taps.
- Use leftovers.
- Praise careful use.
- Ask “how do you know?” after each answer, and listen.
- Praise effort, not only right answers. Mistakes are how we learn.
- Ten to fifteen minutes a day is better than one long session.
Teacher package
1–5. Objectives, prerequisites, materials, preparation, duration
Lesson objectives. Learners will: say what a resource is; name ways to share; share fairly; say why not to waste.
Prerequisite knowledge. Grade 1 ideas: needs, wants and goods.
Materials. Bowl, cups, jug. Low-resource options: use chalk or charcoal on a board or wall, drawings in the sand, and objects from the classroom instead of printed materials.
Preparation. Set up a non-slip area.
Suggested duration. 45–60 minutes. It can be split into two shorter sessions.
6–9. Teaching procedure, explanation notes, guided and independent activities
Introduction (5 min). Tell the jug story.
Explanation (10 min). Teach resources.
Guided activity (10 min). Water share.
Independent activity (10 min). Discuss.
Assessment and reflection (5 min). Ask each learner to say one thing they learned and how they know it.
Key questions. What are resources? How do we share and not waste them?
Teacher explanation notes. Start with a picture, story, map or local example. Then talk about what was seen, then draw and write. Always ask “how do you know?” and invite more than one view. Treat every family, culture and community with respect, and never ask learners to share private information.
10–12. Differentiation, formative assessment, common misconceptions
Support. Use pictures, maps, real objects and short sentences, and let learners work with a partner. Let learners point, show, act or draw instead of writing. Extension. Ask learners to find a new example from their own community and explain how they know.
Formative assessment. Listen to learners read and explain, ask “how do you know?”, and check the independent work.
Misconceptions. “Resources never run out.” Many are limited.
13–15. Assessment questions, answer keys, marking scheme
Use the quiz, the 10-mark exam practice and the worksheet on this page. All answers and marking guides are in the answer sections above. Re-check every answer before use.
16–19. Remediation, enrichment, homework, teacher reflection
Remediation. Pour sand between cups to share. Enrichment. Find one new example near your home or school, draw or write about it and explain it to someone. Homework. See above.
Teacher reflection. After teaching, record: which ideas learners understood; which misconceptions occurred; which activities worked; which learners need more practice; and what to improve next time.
Sources and standards
This lesson is based on the sources below, and no official endorsement is claimed. Reference starting points: NCSS standards and C3 Framework, Cambridge Primary Humanities and the IB Primary Years Programme. Where a standard code is named, it points to the official framework.
Research used to shape this lesson. Courseversity Social Studies curriculum, Grade 1 Unit 8, topic 10; NCSS C3 Framework, economic decision making; Cambridge Primary Humanities, people and society; IB Primary Years Programme, sharing the planet. These sources informed the lesson.