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Amelia Bedelia Means Business



Last updated Sunday, December 27, 2020

Author: Herman Parish
Illustrator: Lynne Avril
Date of Publication: 2013
ISBN: 0062270540
Grade Level: 3rd    (GLCs: Click here for grade level guidelines.)
Date(s) Used: Aug. 2020

Synopsis: Young Amelia Bedelia will do almost anything for a shiny new bicycle. Her parents say they'll split the cost with her, and that means Amelia Bedelia needs to put the pedal to the metal and earn some dough! With Amelia Bedelia anything can happen, and it usually does!

Discussion topics for before reading:
•  Have you ever saved money for something you wanted?
•  Do you ride a bike? What do you like to do on summer vacation?
•  Have you ever entered a contest? What would you like to win?
•  What would be your first job?

Vocabulary

•  Astray - away from the correct path or direction
•  Business - a person's regular work, occupation, profession, or trade
•  Petunias - a plant of the nightshade family with brightly colored funnel-shaped flowers
•  Fragment - a small part broken or separated off something
•  Insult - speak to or treat with disrespect
•  Gleaming - eflecting light, typically because very clean or polished
•  Croak - a deep hoarse sound made by a frog or a crow
•  Ponder - think about (something) carefully, especially before making a decision or reaching a conclusion
•  Mobbed - crowd into (a building or place)
•  Shorthanded - not having enough or the usual number of staff or crew.
•  Customer - a person or organization that buys goods or services from a store or business
•  Gaze - look steadily and intently, especially in admiration, surprise, or thought
•  Bewildered - perplexed and confused; very puzzled

Discussion topics for during/after reading:
•  Why did Amelia Bedelia want a new bike?
•  How does Amelia plan to earn money to get a new bike? What was her first job?
•  When was Amelia misunderstood during the story? Ex.Stepping on the cherry pie, picking flowers in the park
•  Where did Amelia place her lemonade stand business?
•  How much money do you think she will make from her lemonade stand?
•  After Amelia earns enough money for her bike, do you think she should continue her lemonade business and why?

Craft ideas:
•  Draw your favorite bike
•  Check our craft ideas on Pinterest!
https://www.pinterest.com/readingtokids/august-2020-arts-creativity/

Special activities:
•  Discussion Activity: If you started your own business, what would it be? What would you sell?
•  Business Pitch: Amelia Bedelia sold lemonade for her business. Allow the students to come up with a 30-second business pitch to sell lemonade to a potential customer. The pitch should focus on what is being sold (lemonade) and why someone should buy it. (Let this be a fun learning opportunity)

*Note: These craft ideas are just suggestions. You can use them, but you don't have to use them. You can expand upon them, or add your own twist. Remember, though, that the focus of your time should not be on the development and execution of a craft; the focus should be on the read-aloud and the enjoyment of the book!