Natural, human and capital resources: a 3rd grade economics sort
What it is: a 3rd grade economics activity where students sort the resources needed to make a product, such as a wooden chair or a loaf of bread, into natural resources (from nature), human resources (people's work) and capital resources (tools and machines).
Time: about 25 minutes. Grade: 3rd grade.
Materials: picture cards for two products (for bread: wheat, water, a farmer, a baker, an oven, a tractor, a delivery truck driver, a mixer), three labeled sorting mats, and a product poster.
- Hold up a slice of bread. Ask: "What did it take to make this?" List every idea.
- Introduce the three types with one example each: wheat, a baker, an oven.
- Groups sort the bread cards onto the mats and explain one card to the class.
- Groups do the same for a second product (a wooden chair) without help.
- Ask: "Which resource could run out? Which could be replaced?"
Differentiation: students who need support sort only natural and human resources first. Students who are ready map all the resources for a product they choose. English learners can use the frame "___ is a ___ resource because..."
Quick check: name a pencil sharpener and ask a student what kind of resource it is when a teacher uses it.
Save this activity to your library so it is ready when you need it.
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About this resource
- Shared by
- @UpOnlyLearning · Curriculum team
- Posted
- Oct 30, 2026
- Type
- Lesson plan
- Grade
- Grades 3–5
- Subject
- Social studies
- Language
- English
- License
- Free for classroom, co-op and tutoring use. Please don't resell.