Writing Shopping Lists
To develop purposeful writing through creating shopping lists for role play and real activities.
- Framework: EYFS
- Unit: EYFS Literacy
- Learning area: Literacy
- Level: EYFS 3-4
Objectives
- Writes with list purpose
- Applies phonics in spelling attempts
- Uses list layout (downward)
- Reads back own list
Materials
- Notepads and pencils
- Shopping list templates
- Role play shop
- Picture word cards
Instructions
Before a cooking activity: 'We need ingredients! Let's write a shopping list. What do we need? Flour — can you write 'flour'? Have a go — write what you can hear. F-L-OW-ER.'
Model writing a list: 'I need eggs. E-G-G-S. Eggs. I need milk. M-I-L-K. Milk.' Show that a list goes downward and each item gets its own line.
Accept ALL attempts: a child who writes 'fl' for flour has applied phonics successfully. 'I can see the 'f' and the 'l'! Great listening!'
Use lists in the role play shop: 'Take your shopping list to the shop. Can you find everything on your list?' This gives the writing a real purpose.
Make lists for other purposes too: 'Let's write a list of things we need from outside' or 'Who's coming to our party? Let's make a list!' Purpose drives writing motivation.
Compare lists: 'Your list says eggs, milk, flour. My list says eggs, butter, sugar. We both need eggs! Our lists are different but they're both shopping lists.' This builds text-type awareness.