Further to Sharyn O'Neill's articles in the paper last week, I thought it interesting how Montessori schooling deals with the problems of little children's behavioural problems. Instead of playing the blame game Montessori finds a solution with the adult teachers modelling good behaviour.

Shopping Outcomes Natural Learning

Learning in the home school is in the context of real life. The classroom is a simulacrum of real life. For example in the classroom if shopping is being taught children will be given work sheets with some shopping items illustrated on them. Usually shopping lessons are limited to some mathematics, language, perhaps some critical thinking in analysing marketing, maybe look at some examples of packaging, possibly discuss healthy choices, free range compared to caged etc; the classroom shopping experience is very limited.  The homeschool shopping trip is real life shopping and the experience of a home schooled child going shopping will increase in complexity as the child goes on this excursion frequently. Before leaving home the child will be involved with the family in making the following decisions: (this list is not complete, just a sampling of activities).

     Establish that there is a need to go to the shops to obtain items.

     Google maps may be consulted.

     The road directory will be used if in a town that we are not familiar with.

     The route will be established.

     Plan the shopping list.

     Plan the menu.

     Plan where there is parking.

     Plan where to have meals if away for the day.

     Plan the shopping routine; food last, pet shop first, when and where to stop at recycling station etc.

     Research where to buy specialty items, CDs for ballet, threads to sew costumes, any items for pojects.

     Consult budget.

     Research specialty items on the internet for competitive prices.

     Research cost of postage if contemplating buying online.

     Make note to make comparison at the store.

     Consult phone directory if need to enquire about a specialty item or if there is a website with an email address then queries can be made using email,

    Edit the email.

     Make phone calls before leaving to ensure specialty items are at particular stores. Discuss how to speak on the phone

     Check brochures, junk mail, before leaving for specials.

     Plan where to meet if we split up

     Pack eco bags

     Pack freezer bags

     Pack items to return, recycling items such as ink cartridges, plastic bags, batteries, light globes

     Pack any paperwork that may be needed, such as bills to be paid, mail to be posted, vouchers for offers that are available.

     Pack colour swatches, lists of seeds that are in season

     Make sure animals are fed before leaving for the shops

     Make sure the vehicle has fuel

     Research and print out any material that may need to be consulted, such as how to pick fruit and vegetables in peak condition.

On the journey some of the learning experiences would include:

     Reading, observing and understanding road signs.

     Observing and discussing rules of the road.

     Observing and discussing obstacles such as a herd of cows or a mob of sheep; how to drive through these obstacles and have patience and respect for the farmer and the animals

     Observing and discussing orchards; what fruits are in season.

     Observing and discussing the seasons and the effects of the seasons on the orchards, as well as the indigenous flora and fauna.

     Observing and discussing the seasons and fungi.

     Discussions around radio talkback, music, or interviews being listened to in the car.

     Co-operating with siblings in the car.

     Possibly including a grandparent in the car.

     Possibly including an infant in the car.

Once at the shopping centre or town some of the learning experiences would include:

     Buying fruit and vegetables by comparing – cherries are better in quality in one shop, but more expensive, smaller in another but cheaper.

     Feel and smell the fruit and veg. to check for ripeness or bruises.

     Consult the shopping list and budget.

     Know that fruit, veg, dairy, eggs, meat come from farmers. Sometimes buy from the farm gate.

     An awareness of free-range compared to caged etc.

     Read the labels on products for sugar content (awareness of diabetes).

     Know the etiquette of the supermarket; don’t block aisles with shopping trolley, not to run, not to steal, not to eat unpaid for goods, consider other shoppers while waiting in queues.

     Observe people who have been arrested for shoplifting.

     Making choices in styles of clothing – fashion design.

     Reading a variety of labels and signs; seed packets, composition of fabric, price tags, ingredients lists, shopping lists, to do lists, parking signs, cost of parking, special items, percentage of discounts, cost by weight, packaging for information.

     Pack the shopping.

     Use freezer bags if necessary.

     Use eco bags if necessary.

     Put any items to be recycled into their respective bins.

The children return home from shopping and then use the shopping in their various projects. All of the learning before, during & after the shopping excursion was in the context of the real life experience of shopping.