Grocery Navigator Worksheet
Independent Living Skills • Community Navigation
Grocery Navigator Worksheet
Part 1 of 2
Name:
Date:
Budget:
Goal 1
Plan & Group Your Shopping List
Grouping items by department saves time, keeps cold foods fresh, and avoids backtracking through aisles. Categorize these 6 items into their proper department and list your needed quantity.
Unsorted Items: Whole Milk • Bananas • Sandwich Bread • Spinach Leaves • Canned Tuna • Cheddar Cheese
Produce Dept.
Item 1 & Quantity:
Item 2 & Quantity:
Dairy & Cold
Item 1 & Quantity:
Item 2 & Quantity:
Pantry & Bakery
Item 1 & Quantity:
Item 2 & Quantity:
Impulse Check: Need vs. Want Budget Awareness
At checkout, you spot a $4.50 energy drink and candy bar. You have $2.00 remaining in your budget. What is your decision, and why?
Goal 2
Find & Inspect Quality Items
Use store overhead signs to locate products efficiently, and inspect freshness and packaging before loading your cart.
Aisle Directory Matching
Write the correct aisle number for each item:
Aisle 2: Pasta, Rice, Canned Beans, Marinara
Aisle 5: Cereal, Oatmeal, Coffee, Peanut Butter
Aisle 8: Paper Towels, Dish Soap, Trash Bags
Spaghetti Sauce:
Rolled Oats:
Dish Soap:
Cart Safety Inspection
Check off each physical inspection step:
Egg Carton: Open lid to verify no cracked eggs or sticking.
Canned Foods: Reject cans with deep dents, bulges, or rust.
Dairy & Meat: Verify "Best If Used By" date is well in the future.
Independent Living Life Skills • Grocery Goal Mastery Turn page for In-Store Navigation, Safety & Communication scripts →
In-Store Decisions & Safety Protocols
Navigating Safely & Confidently
Part 2 of 2
Goal 2 Continued
Selecting the Right Quantity & Size
Consider storage limits, expiration dates, and personal usage when picking container sizes.
Case A: Fresh Strawberries Freshness Limit
You live alone. The 1 lb container is $2.99. The giant 4 lb pack is $6.00. Which size should you buy, and why?
My Choice & Reason:
Case B: Milk Expiration Date Check
Carton A expires in 2 days. Carton B (behind it) expires in 10 days. Both cost $3.29. Which should you choose?
My Choice & Reason:
Goal 3
Store Routines & Personal Safety
Staying aware of your surroundings keeps you and other shoppers safe and comfortable in the aisles.
1
Cart Etiquette & Traffic Flow
You stop to compare items. Where should your cart stay so others can easily walk past?
2
Accidental Spills or Dropped Glass
A glass bottle drops and breaks on the aisle floor. What are the two immediate steps to take?
Communication
Scripting: How to Ask Store Clerks for Help
Store workers are ready to assist. Follow the 3-step script: Greeting → Clear Question → Thank You.
Challenge Scenario: You searched Aisle 4 for brown rice, but the shelf is empty. You see a store employee stocking nearby. Write what you will say:
1. Polite Greeting (Excuse me...):
2. Specific Question (Where can I find / Do you have...):
3. Courteous Closing (Thank you for your help!):
Independent Shopper Self-Check
I organized items by store department.
I checked expiration dates & packaging.
I kept my cart safe and out of traffic.
I practiced my asking-for-help script.
Life Skills Community Readiness • Evaluation Completed Instructor Signature: _______________________ Date: _________
Grocery Navigator Answer Key
Teacher Resource • Answer Key Life Skills Instruction
Grocery Navigator Answer Key
Key • Page 1 of 2
Instructional Focus: Highlight that grocery organization minimizes time spent in cold zones and prevents cart retracing. Quantities can vary based on individual or household size, but students should specify standard units (e.g., loaf, gallon, bunch, cans).
Goal 1 Key
Plan & Group Your Shopping List (Solutions)
The 6 unsorted items must be sorted into their respective departments with realistic quantities.
Produce Dept.
1. Bananas Acceptable qty: 1 bunch / 4-6 bananas
2. Spinach Leaves Acceptable qty: 1 bag or plastic tub (8-10 oz)
Dairy & Cold
1. Whole Milk Acceptable qty: 1/2 gallon or 1 gallon
2. Cheddar Cheese Acceptable qty: 1 block (8 oz) or shredded bag
Pantry & Bakery
1. Sandwich Bread Acceptable qty: 1 loaf (whole wheat or white)
2. Canned Tuna Acceptable qty: 2-3 cans (5 oz cans)
Impulse Check Solution & Evaluation Guide Model Answer
Decision: Do not purchase either item. Leave them at the shelf/checkout display.
Reasoning Criteria: The total cost ($4.50) exceeds the remaining budget balance ($2.00). Purchasing would lead to an insufficient funds situation at the register. Furthermore, energy drinks and checkout candy are impulse wants rather than essential meal groceries.
Goal 2 Key
Find & Inspect Quality Items (Solutions)
Aisle Directory Solutions
Spaghetti Sauce: Aisle 2
Rolled Oats: Aisle 5
Dish Soap: Aisle 8
*Teach students to read overhead hanging category boards rather than walking down every aisle.
Inspection Checklist Criteria
✓ Eggs: Must open and verify 12 intact shells. Cracked eggs can harbor bacteria and stick to the carton.
✓ Cans: Dents on seams or swollen lids indicate seal compromise or potential botulism risk.
✓ Dates: Students should select dates that give at least 5-7 days before expiration for typical consumption.
Grocery Navigator Answer Key & Guide • Page 1 of 2 See Page 2 for Size Choices, Safety Protocols & Communication Rubric →
Teacher Resource • Answer Key In-Store Decisions & Safety
Safety & Communication Key
Key • Page 2 of 2
Goal 2 Key
Quantity & Size Decisions (Model Responses)
