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DODO Learning
Think Once. In Both Languages.
Lesson 30
Little DODO · Phase 3

Replacing Names with Pronouns

Amelia Bedelia Means Business · pp. 17-36 (heavy) · Format B · Disposition: Making Connections · 25 min
Amelia Bedelia Means Business
Pages this lesson: 17-36
Grammar · Pronouns
Pronouns replace nouns in sentences (he, she, it, we, they, them, us, him, her).
Pronouns · Noun Replacement · Subject Pronouns · Object Pronouns · Sentence Rewriting
Introduce

Vocabulary Exploration· 5 min

Sound focus: pronouns (she, he, they)
Target words
  1. she 31: “"T live here," said Amelia Bedelia. "So does my mom. I picked these for her."”
  2. he 19: “Pete looked at Amelia Bedelia's parents.”
  3. they 17: “Since the next day was Saturday, Amelia Bedelia and her parents did what they always did on Saturdays.”
  4. him 20: “Honestly, she felt like hugging him, too.”
Today we hunt for tiny words that replace names. When the book says 'he' or 'she,' it means a person we already met. Let's find them together.
Exploration steps
  1. Point to each pronoun on its page and name who it replaces
  2. Chorus each pronoun three times
  3. Students find one more pronoun on any assigned page
Expected responses
  • she means Amelia Bedelia
  • he means Pete
  • they means Amelia Bedelia and her parents
Differentiation

Fast finishers: find three pronouns on one page. Quiet kids: whisper-chorus with partner first.

Transition cue

Tap shoulder twice — Reading Time.

Anticipated pitfalls

Don't let kids confuse 'the' with 'they' — sound them aloud to hear the difference.

Why this matters: Connect pronouns to character names kids already know from the story.

Reading in Class· 10 min

Required reading pages: 17-36
Opening move: Point to Pete's apron on page 18 — the ketchup stain is how Amelia Bedelia gets hired.
Amelia Bedelia gets her first job today. Listen for what Pete tells her to do — and watch what she does instead. Ready?
Read-aloud steps
  1. Picture-walk pages 17-36: Pete's Diner, Amelia Bedelia in uniform, stepping on pie, flowers in park, fired twice in one day
  2. Read aloud once at storytelling pace
  3. Read again with students chorusing the refrain
Call-and-response refrains
  1. What does Pete say? 20: “"You're hired!"”
  2. What does the sign say? 21: “"The customer is always right!"”
Expected responses
  • You're hired
  • The customer is always right
  • she stepped on the pie
Differentiation

Struggling readers: follow your finger on the refrain lines. Fast finishers: count how many times Amelia Bedelia gets in trouble.

Transition cue

Close book, tap cover three times — Questions Time.

Anticipated pitfalls

Don't rush the pie-stepping scene — kids need time to see the humor in the literal mistake.

Why this matters: Chorus protects kids who can't yet track the long sentences independently.

Questions Time· 7 min

Comprehension questions
  1. Find a sentence on this page with 'he' or 'she.' Who does it mean? 27: “"Wait!" Pete called. He got an entire cherry pie from the dessert case and raced out to the parking lot after him.”
  2. Which word on this page replaces 'Amelia Bedelia'? 31: “"T live here," said Amelia Bedelia. "So does my mom. I picked these for her."”
Extension

Pick a sentence. Replace the name with 'he' or 'she.'

35: “"We got a call from Pete," said Amelia Bedelia's father.”

What students produce: One rewritten sentence with a pronoun replacing the character name.

Now we become word detectives. Find a name in a sentence. Can you swap it for 'he' or 'she'? Say your new sentence to a partner first.
Expected responses
  • He means Pete
  • She means Amelia Bedelia
  • He got a pie instead of Amelia Bedelia's father got a call
Differentiation

Struggling: pick a short sentence with one name. Fast finishers: rewrite two sentences from different pages.

Transition cue

Clap pattern: clap-clap-pause — Wrap-Up Time.

Anticipated pitfalls

Don't correct kids who pick 'they' or 'them' — those are pronouns too; celebrate the noticing.

Why this matters: Let kids say the new sentence aloud before writing — oral practice builds confidence.

Conclusion· 3 min

Routine: My Connection · Disposition: Making Connections
Student-facing prompts
Recap: Amelia Bedelia got fired because she...
Take-home: Tell someone at home: pronouns are words that replace...
Amelia Bedelia took words too literally today. She stepped on the pie when the customer said 'step on it.' Have you ever misunderstood what someone meant? Turn and tell a partner.
Expected responses
  • took things literally
  • I thought my mom meant really freeze when she said hold still
  • my friend said break a leg and I got confused
Differentiation

Quiet kids: draw your misunderstanding first, then share. Fast finishers: share two connections.

Anticipated pitfalls

Don't let one loud sharer dominate — count to three, then invite a different voice.

Why this matters: Same shape every day so kids own the close.