While the history of the fundamental Needs is a program designed to study how people in different historical time periods satisfied their basic needs, the Charts of the Fundamental Needs provide a study of how contemporary people utilize natural resources to meet their needs. The Charts constitute a foundation for social studies and relate to the study of economic geography. There are eight charts for the study of the fundamental needs. Each chart is accompanied by a research story card suitable for more advanced students working independently. The research story cards may also be used by the teacher for reference in group lessons and as outlines to introduce the students to related topics in history, geography, chemistry and physics. The printed notes of this Montessori presentation from our CME Teacher Preparation Course are available for purchase from this webpage. Please search for: Charts of Fundamental Human Needs.