Learning On the Go: In the Grocery Store!
“Using the local environment, and not staying encased in the classroom, helps us connect to the world. Finding educational opportunities around every corner – the supermarket, the post office, US government at the local courts, ornithology at the local pet store, science in the park – makes us constantly alert for the next learning opportunity. Our senses are heightened. We look in unexpected places. We look up, at the architecture, at the birds and the trees, looking in the direction most people overlook.”
Learning at the Supermarket: seven activities for preK-high school.
There’s so much more you can do in the supermarket than make sure you have the correct change at check-out!
Early Learning - When my children were babies and toddlers, I started using the supermarket to teach them about the world. We would pass the fruit section, and I would point to every variety of apple, naming them, “Macintosh, Granny Smith, Golden Delicious,” and so on. I would also mention unusual fruits, such as papaya, kiwi, mango, plantains. Wheeling my cart past the cheese section I’d say as many cheeses as fast as I could, “Cheddar, Brie, Swiss, Monterey Jack, Gouda, Goat Cheese,” and so on, until we were onto the next section. Introducing my child to many kinds of foods was a way of introducing information. When you learn there are several kinds of apples (more than you might eat or buy), you may assume that there are many more. There are actually thousands of apple varieties, and more are being produced today! This technique of introducing bits of related information to young children plants the seeds for understanding there is always more to learn!
Games - Play “I Spy,” with an initial sound or letter. It’s best to start with clear consonant sounds because vowels may sound similar. You can also teach colors this way, by spying something blue, for example. Play “Name Six” by finding six items that begin with the same letter or sound. You can time this game, for example, choose six items in this aisle in the next two minutes that all begin with M. Stick with easy consonants, like S, B, M, N, P, while avoiding difficult letters entirely like Q, K, and X.
Math (Budgeting) - As a girl helping my mom at the grocery store, I was given my own cart with a portion of the shopping list, and it was my job to find these items. I was also given a snack allowance and the freedom to choose my own snacks for the week. The snack allowance was a modest sum, but I labored over how to spend it. I compared different foods and their prices, and thought carefully about my afternoon snacks. I knew I couldn’t buy soda, and I didn’t want to waste it on drinks when I could spend the same amount on something more filling and satisfying, maybe a small loaf of date nut bread and a bar of cream cheese, or apples and cheddar, or pita chips and hummus. This was my first experience comparison shopping and working with a budget. When we were finished shopping, my sister and I each had a full cart with goods that loaded up our car. It was also our job to help unload and put the groceries away. We each had our own spot in the fridge and pantry for snacks.
Nutrition (Science) & Reading - Ask your children and teens to help read labels and compare nutritional content. Have them assist you in planning a healthy, balanced meal that they look forward to eating! Start with one main ingredient and toss ideas back and forth. This builds knowledge of nutrition and meal preparation, and also keeps the creativity alive! I might ask the kids if they wanted butternut squash soup or pasta sauce, or if they wanted meatball soup or chili, and then we would shop and, later, cook. How to Understand and Use the Nutrition Facts Label, from the FDA
Writing & Planning - At home, before you leave for the store, the kids can help inventory the fridge and pantry, and write the shopping list. This can also be the start of meal planning as a family project. Feel free to refer to a recipe (in cookbook or online) as you make the shopping list.
History & Geography - Consider the history and geography of foods for sale in the store. What do you buy that is locally grown, and what is imported? Where does your olive oil come from (Spain? Italy? Turkey? California?)? What about pineapples or avocados or chocolate? Dutch processed cocoa might be imported from Holland (where that process was invented), but cocoa (from the cacao tree) originated in central or South America and was brought to Europe. A close look at the spice rack an be like taking a trip around the world! (You can do this at home with your own spices.) Learn the history of your favorite foods! The Food Timeline has links to recipes from around the world throughout time! Want to know what the Vikings ate, or read about soldier’s rations during the American Civil War? You’ll find it here!
Social Studies - Throughout the supermarket, social studies is ever-present in the form of trends, social norms, and advertising propaganda. I introduced ten types of propaganda to my kids at home, including Testimonials, Plain Folks, Bandwagon, Glittering Generalities, and more. In the supermarket, the kids went hunting for examples propaganda in the cereal and soap aisles. Every package is an example of one type or another! Later, back at home, referring to a list of types of propaganda, they created their own fictional product with an ad that used at least three kinds of propaganda. This activity is ideal for ages 12-14 and makes a good foundation for learning about political propaganda in high school. Easy Ways of Teaching Propaganda from a middle school teacher, with eight types of propaganda and examples. 11 Types of Propaganda Techniques in Advertising from a marketing strategy perspective, with examples.
More Ways to Use Your Environment for Learning
Walk through your neighborhood looking for signs of history. Are there any old-fashioned street signs, or antique street lamps, or old buildings, next to new ones? Can you find examples of history where you live? If available, take a walking history tour of your town or city. In the NYC area, join Wildman Steve Brill for Foraging Tours in local parks. In Boston, walk the Freedom Trail starting at the Boston Commons.
Visit local museums and check out their websites for free days, events for kids and teens, and learning resources.
Ask local colleges if they offer credit-bearing courses for high school students, and if they have events for families. Look for a college that offers a SPLASH event, one or two days of classes for teens. Here’s a list of nationwide SPLASH events at college campuses.
Search for local internships for your teens in their chosen field of study. Examples: “marine bio teen internship NYC” or “theater teen internship Minneapolis” Topics can include the arts, sciences, humanities, but be specific in your search, such as “zoo internship” or “art museum internship.” Teens can inquire about a part-time job at any place that interests them. One student was visiting a music store and found herself watching someone repair a violin. She asked, and got a part-time job assisting the instrument repair shop.
Find local volunteering opportunities for families, perhaps at a local animal shelter, museum, or park. Offer to visit hospital patients age the holidays, perhaps with simple homemade gifts.
Interview neighbors and local workers. Find out about their lives! This activity includes history, writing, communication skills, and more.
Speak to your neighbors and local workers to learn about what's in your own backyard. Ask about any of the above and more! I used to say “Shake Every Tree,” which meant asking everyone you met. In this way, my teen met and interviewed a chief court justice as part of his US Government homeschool requirement. I heard someone talk about a marine bio internship for teens, and I called asking how I could prepare my 11yo for a possibly future internship there, and they told me to bring him over! Listen, ask, shake every tree, and perhaps a golden plum will fall into your hands!
Suggested Books and Materials to Enrich the Experience
Suggested age range usually refers to reading level and content may appeal to a wider age group. This list contains affiliate links.
Yum? Interesting Origin Stories, Trivia, Fun Facts, and History About Food from Around the World: Culinary Anecdotes for Curious People by Riddleland, for ages 5-12, enjoyable for adults too.
Salt, Pepper, Season, Spice: All the Flavors of the World by Jacques Pasquet, for ages 9-12 (content will appeal to younger kids too).
How to Talk to Kids About Nutrition: Practical Parenting Tips to Tackle Picky Eaters, Minimise Processed Foods, and Boost Their Immune Systems While Making It Fun by Clemmie Pellew-Harvey
Kid Chef: The Foodie Kids Cookbook: Healthy Recipes and Culinary Skills… by Melina Hammer, for ages 6-11, part of a 5-book Kid Chef series.
The Complete Cookbook for Young Chefs: 100+ Recipes That You’ll Love to Cook and Eat by America’s Test Kitchen, for grades 4-8
The Food Book: The Stories, Science, and History of What We Eat, New Edition by DK (written for adults).
Grocery Shopping Check-List Magnet Pad for Fridge
Blank Grocery List Magnet Pad for Fridge
Classroom Interviews: A World of Learning by Paula Rogovin, a curriculum designed for first grade based on spontaneous interviews with people from their immediate environment, with techniques applicable to any age or grade.
Find more tips for using your environment for learning in Education Uncensored by Laurie Block Spigel (scroll down the page to read excerpts).