Teach Us, Amelia Bedelia

This book really only fosters the process of prediction, because it becomes very predictable. Otherwise, there isn’t a lot of accurate scientific content at all, so it makes it hard to develop the processes well. Amelia Bedelia is told to have her students plant bulbs, so she goes to the store and buys light bulbs for her students to plant.

• Author: Peggy Parish
• Illustrator: Lynn Sweat
• Year Published: 2004
• ISBN: 0060511141

Science Topics

• Life Science

Minimum Suggested Grade Level

• Kindergarten

Maximum Suggested Grade Level

• 3rd Grade

Summary

When Mr. Carter mistakes the lovable, literal-minded Amelia Bedelia for the new teacher, class will never be the same again!

Evaluation

• Appropriateness: Low
• Authority: Medium
• Accuracy: Low
• Liteary Artistry: Medium
• Appearance: High

Questions

Does the book foster development of processes?

This book really only fosters the process of prediction, because it becomes very predictable. Otherwise, there isn’t a lot of accurate scientific content at all, so it makes it hard to develop the processes well. Amelia Bedelia is told to have her students plant bulbs, so she goes to the store and buys light bulbs for her students to plant.

Does the book provide an opportunity for children to ask and answer their own questions?

Yes, definitely, but they would all be questions of confusion. I don’t find Amelia Bedelia super kid friendly, because I think a lot of the jokes and content would go over their heads and take too much explanation. The kids might not understand what bulbs the science lesson was actually referring to, especially when she refers to the bulbs as “dried-up onions.”

Does the book encourage children to think for themselves?

I think it does encourage children to think for themselves, but like I said, I think it would mainly be out of confusion. I think they would wonder why she is doing what she does. I do not think it would encourage children to think very scientifically however.

Is the science topic addressed in ways that are appropriate to the lesson?

Definitely not, considering she uses light bulbs instead of actual bulbs you plant for the science lesson. I’m assuming it was an experiment meant to be observed over time about how plants grow, but instead the children will now get to watch a light bulb in a pot of dirt.

Is the content based on sound scientific principles? Is it accurate?

The content is based on plant growth, but it is obviously not accurate since they all plant light bulbs like seeds. This could confuse children who don’t know what bulbs are, and maybe they won’t understand exactly what Amelia Bedelia did wrong. Bulbs often grow into lilies, tulips, or daffodils.

Does the book distinguish between fact and fiction?

No, it does not. It never distinguishes between what Amelia Bedelia did and what she was supposed to do. The kids could read this and think they are actually supposed to plant light bulbs. This is why this particular book is challenging.

Are the illustrations clear and accurate?

The illustrations are clear, but is it really accurate if the information is misleading? The illustrations don’t necessarily show that Amelia is making mistakes. The illustrations are hand drawn and colored, but they don’t really depict what Amelia should have been doing.

Is the book written at the level of your students?

The book is written at the level of my students, but the content could still be challenging for them because of the tone. The content is so confusing that it could lead my students to believing something that isn’t true. It does a lot of misleading.

Is there a multicultural component? Is it free from stereotyping?

The illustrations show students of different races. However, the only people that have dialogue in the book are white. It does stereotype maids in that they have to wear that stereotypical French maid outfit.

Is the book free from gender bias?

The book is not free from gender bias if you assume that Amelia Bedelia is making so many mistakes, because she is a woman. The principal is a man and the teachers are all women. Although I do not think this was the author’s intentions, the author did not try to go out of their way to break any assumed gender roles.


Does the book show the close association between science and other disciplines?

The whole book takes place during a school day, so reading, art, math, and science are all addressed in this book. However, Amelia Bedelia gets the whole lesson plan wrong. So it is not very helpful to try and tie this book to other lessons, unless you are teaching your students about taking things literally.

Does the book present a positive attitude toward science and technology?

It doesn’t present a negative attitude toward science and technology. I wouldn’t say it presents a positive attitude either. The only attitude it presents is literal. The students in the book are having fun at school, but that is because they are not really even doing schoolwork the whole day.