Social Studies Worksheet · Grades 4–6
Opportunity Cost Worksheet
A printable social studies worksheet for grades 4-6 on opportunity cost: the next-best thing you give up whenever you make a choice. Students name the opportunity cost in eight choices, then answer four short questions. A complete answer key is included.
Subject
Social Studies
Grades
Grades 4–6
Skill Focus
Opportunity Cost, economics
Lesson Length
15 minutes
Lesson Overview
About this worksheet
Because time and money are limited, every choice means giving something up. Opportunity cost is the next-best thing a person gives up when they pick one option over another – not everything they passed on, just the single best alternative. This worksheet teaches students to spot the opportunity cost in everyday decisions.
Section A gives eight choices (Maya buys a book instead of a toy; a town builds a library instead of a pool) and asks students to name the opportunity cost. The reference box teaches the idea with a movie-versus-saving and a soccer-versus-art-club example using choices different from the items.
Section B asks students to define opportunity cost, name the cost in a spending choice, explain why every choice has one, and describe a real choice of their own. Page 3 is a complete answer key. The skill is a foundation of economic decision-making.
How to Use This Lesson
Read the reference box aloud and stress that opportunity cost is the ONE best thing given up.
Complete Section A independently – have students name what was chosen, then what was passed up.
Work Section B item 9 together: write a class definition of opportunity cost.
Use the answer key on page 3 for self-check or teacher review.
Pair with the Scarcity and Choice Worksheet or the Saving and Spending Worksheet for an economics mini-unit.
Printable Resource
A classroom-ready PDF with everything in one printable resource.
Free Member Resource · Printable PDF · 3 pages · Answer Key
Opportunity Cost Worksheet
A printable social studies worksheet for grades 4-6 on opportunity cost: the next-best thing you give up whenever you make a choice. Students name the opportunity cost in eight choices, then answer four short questions. A complete answer key is included.
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