Teaching the Lemonade War through a Novel Study

Teaching The Lemonade War as a novel study in upper elementary is a great choice because it integrates so well into other curriculum and the students find it highly relatable and engaging. The Lemonade War is about two siblings who are upset with each other and end up making a bet to see who can make the most money on a lemonade stand. The book goes back and forth looking at each sibling’s point of view as they create their own lemonade stand to beat their sibling. 

Why do the Lemonade War as a novel study?

The Lemonade War makes for a great novel study because it integrates into economics and math very easily! It is also highly relatable to students in the 3rd/4th grade levels! It keeps them engaged and interested in the novel throughout the entire reading as well! 

There are so many high-level skills you can work on like point of view, theme, and inferencing throughout. 

Introduction Day in your Novel Study

When I first start the novel we do these things…

1. Watch the book commercial below to get students excited and interested in the book.

2. Have students do a “book walk” through the book.
3. Allow students to write out predictions from the commercial and book walk.

Daily Reading

Each day you read 1-2 chapters of the book, switching up how these chapters are read. Have students read silently or read with a partner one day. Then, have students listen to you read the next. You can also play the readings using this website here! While we read, I will stop several times to ask questions and have discussions.

After reading each chapter I like to focus on a different reading skill. For example, when I read chapter 1 we focus on text connections, chapter 2 cause and effect, and so on. You can do this in several ways, you can do a whole class discussion on the skill, complete an anchor chart or worksheet. Or you can have the kiddos work on a graphic organizer that makes them analyze that skill in the chapter and then go over it as a class.

Quizzes/Tests

I don’t want the students to feel like the novel study is one big comprehension test. So, I try to keep it mainly to discussions, group activities, etc. But about 2 times throughout the novel I will give a quick open-book quiz. Then, a test at the end. I always let the students use the book for the quizzes and tests. Why? Because teaching kids to go back into the text is an essential skill. It aids in their comprehension. Also, on what state test do they not get to go back in the book?

Projects in The Lemonade War Novel Study

Throughout the novel adding in class projects can add to engagement. About two times throughout the novel we stop and do an easy project like creating a play of a scene from the story.

Then, at the end of the novel students get to pick from several different projects to show their understanding of the book. Students could create a book commercial, a diorama, a play, and more! This is the best part of novel studies because students can really show their understanding of the novel in a fun and creative way.

Integration with the Lemonade War

The Lemonade War makes for great integration with economics. After reading The Lemonade War we start our economics projects for the year.

The Lemonade War discusses many of the economics terms that come up in the standards, so it is a great lead into your economics projects.

Read more about those projects here!

Grab everything ready to go! Want the entire novel study ready to go for you? Seriously, it takes little to no prep work!

Head here to check out the entire novel study!