The Magic School Bus: Lost in the Solar System

Summary:

 

The book I read was called 'The Magic  School Bus: Lost in the Solar System by Joanna Cole.

This book is part of a series of books about a magic school bus that takes students on magical journeys to different places. On this particular journey, they venture into space where they learn about different things in the solar system. Ms. Frizzle makes learning fun for her students by putting them on the scene of what they are learning about.

 

Genre Evaluation:

 

This book will definitely be classified as fantasy. They go on an adventure in space on  a school bus. I was shocked to read a disclaimer in the back of the book to not try this at home. This book covers all aspects of a good children's fantasy book.

 

Classroom Activities:

 

1. Students can do a vocabulary game that defines different parts of the solar system. The teacher can give the students a list of words, and have them to match them to the definitions that they read aloud. The teacher can mix things up by saying the word and having the students to give the definition.

 

2. The teacher can break the students up into groups and assign each group a place in the solar system. Each group will be responsible for researching information about their pace. Once they have gathered all the information, they will put the information together for a short presentation. 

 

Read & Respond Questions:

 

1. Where are some of the places you would like to go if you had a magic school bus to take you?

 

2.What are some of the things that you could explore that you would never have been able to except with the help of the bus?

 

About the Author:

 

 

 

Joanna Cole loved science as a child. Ms. Cole has worked as an elementary school teacher, a librarian, and a children's book editor. Combining her knowledge of children's literature with her love of science, she decided to write children's books. Her first book was Cockroaches, which she wrote because there had never been a book written about the insect before. Since then she has written more than 90 nonfiction and fiction books for children.

 

Personal Comments:

 

I truly love this series of books. I love the way the author makes you feel that you are truly there. The facts that are mixed up in the fantasy makes it real easy t follow and learn. Ms. Frizzle is a character that jumps out at you and holds your attention to the end. 

 

References:

 

Galda, L., Cullinan, B. E., & Sipe, L. R. (2010). Literature and the child (7th ed.). Belmont, CA: Wadsworths, Inc.

 

The Magic School Bus. (2013). Retrieved from  http://www.scholastic.com/magicschoolbus/books/cole.htm