The Magic School Bus

The Magic School Bus series has its own form of magic: the every day form when you see a child's eyes light up -- or roomful of children sit in rapt attention. And it's been entertaining children for 20 years. It's long been one of own my favorite series to use with elementary schoolers. When I taught second and third grade combination classes in Arizona, I began the day with a picture book or two -- usually ones that related to our studies: social studies, science, the craft of writing. Weekends at the library, I would scrounge the week's supply of books. If there was a Magic School Bus book or two that related, it went with me.

The Magic School Bus was great for us. We were a charter school, and not only did we lack a school bus of our own, we lacked a budget to buy a lot of science materials. We raised caterpillars in the spring, made some models, and collected bits of our desert world, but there was a lot that wasn't hands on. The children learned more from the adventures of Ms Frizzle than from texts.

The Magic School Bus series can be used in conjunction with the science curriculum, either in the classroom or at or homeschool table.

Most kids like field trips -- but can only dream of doing what the children in The Magic School Bus series get to do. The stories tend to start with a common element: It's a 'normal' day in Ms. Frizzle's classroom when she announces the class is going on a field trip. (Yes -- apparently without the need for permission slips.) Off they go and then... something happens! The bus may change shape. It may grow smaller. The class will find themselves in the midst of a very hands-on science adventure. They may explore microscopic worlds or blast off into the solar system.

The original Magic School Bus series books are very 'busy'. The pages carry a storyline, but you will also see science information in the form of the children's own handwritten reports. The speech bubbles, too, are fun. Here children are introduced to some of the characters in Ms. Frizzle's class, who --like real people -- can be some 'real characters'.

Over the year, there have been a variety of Magic School Bus series, including chapter books, beginning readers, and books based on the TV series. There have also been a number of other themed materials. You can watch The Magic School Bus on DVD, or explore science topics with relatively inexpensive science kits.

The water cycle is an important concept in the primary curriculum -- and a relatively easy one to explore in a real world context. The Magic School Bus kids get a more exciting adventure, though. Who else has ever had the chance to evaporate or precipitate themselves? Now that's hands on science!

Many important concepts can be explored through a study of the desert habitat. How are living things adapted for life in the desert? You may or may not have a desert in your neighborhood, but the children in Ms Frizzle's class -- a you might guess -- get up close to some desert creatures.

This is from the series based on the TV version of The Magic School Bus. It's not quite as detail-rich as the original series, but still a fun and educational read.

In recent times, The Magic School Bus has focused on 'going green' and being earth friendly.

Learn a little about the creation of the Magic School Bus books. Illustrator Bruce Degen talks about the collaborative process between himself and author Joanna Cole, and also about the philosophy behind the books.

Planting seeds is something just about all of us can do in our classrooms and our homes -- even if we lack pricey equipment. For mastering the terminology, though, and constructing diagrams and models, though, count on Ms. Frizzle for a little help. She can go places most of us only dream of...

This is another one that's based on the TV show.

Look for books -- and supporting lessons -- that reinforce the themes you are already studying.

Here's a third series for children who have crossed the bridge to chapter books. This particular book counters some of the myths children may have about bats. The book features facts the class is learning in school; some sections are nonfiction and heavy on facts, but they're woven into a dialogue-rich story.

You can also find science kits and electronic learning tools.