Amelia Bedelia, Rocket Scientist? written by Herman Parish and illustrated by Lynn Sweat, tells the tale of the day that Amelia Bedelia volunteers to be a judge at the science fair after her boss, Mr. Rodgers, mistakenly calls her a rocket scientist.
While at the science fair Amelia Bedelia meets Dr. Dinglebatt, a professor, who will also be judging the science fair. While looking at the student’s projects Amelia Bedelia comes across a leaf blower that is used to demonstrate how a flying saucer flies, however the student’s model flying saucer is stuck in the basketball hoop so Amelia Bedelia uses her bonnet instead. Along the way Amelia Bedelia comes across a student, Jason, who forgot baking soda and vinegar for his model volcano, but lucky for him, Amelia Bedelia has some baking soda in her purse. While Jason goes to find some vinegar Amelia Bedelia decides to help him by adding the entire box of baking soda to the volcano. When the vinegar is added, the volcano makes a huge mess all over the room. To clean it up, Amelia Bedelia uses the leaf blower but ends up blowing the toupee right off Mr. Dinglebatt’s head! Mr Dinglebatt gets very upset with her and leaves the room. But he returns with a new invention inspired by Amelia Bedelia blowing his toupee off his head. All is forgiven and every eats the delicious pie Amelia Bedelia baked earlier that morning.
Curriculum Connections
Amelia Bedelia, Rocket Scientist? is suitable for 2nd though 4th graders and compliments Virigina SOL 2.1. It is written in the third person view. This book could easily be used to show how accidents and mistakes can lead to scientific discoveries.
Additional Resources
- This pdf file has 7 pages of activities like comprehension, word searches and crossword puzzles, that can be used directly with the book.
- This website offers three observation activities that could be used as an introduction to observation.
- This is a worksheet to be used during in class experiments.
Book: Amelia Bedelia, Rocket Scientist?
Author: Herman Parish
Illustrator: Lynn Sweat
Publisher: Greenwillow Books
Publication Date: 2007
Pages: 64 pages
Grade Range: 2-4
ISBN-10: 0060518898