The Magic School Bus and the Electric Field Trip
#9 of 13 in Magic School Bus Series
on Goodreads (930)
What’s inside...
Ms. Frizzle's class is learning firsthand about how electricity works by shrinking to atom size and traveling through a power line. Original book with simplified Chinese. Join Ms. Frizzle's class as they journey through a turbine engine that generates electricity and learn how electricity helps our everyday lives.
Discussion points
What did you learn about electricity and how it powers different things around us?
Which part of the Electric Field Trip adventure did you find the most exciting or surprising?
How do you think the class felt when they got to see how electricity works up close?
If you could ask Ms. Frizzle one question about electricity, what would it be?
How do you think learning about electricity can help us make better choices about energy use?
Tip: Role play these questions
Start by asking your child what they know about electricity before reading, and then explore how their understanding evolves after the adventure.
Relate the story to real-life applications of electricity at home or in school to make the concepts more relatable.
Encourage your child to imagine their own Magic School Bus adventure. Where would they go? What would they learn about?
Discuss the importance of safety when dealing with electricity, inspired by the precautions taken by Ms. Frizzle and the class.
Use illustrations in the book to engage visual learning, asking your child to describe what they see and how it relates to the story.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Curiosity and Exploration
Explanation: The book follows Ms. Frizzle and her class as they embark on a field trip inside a power plant and learn about electricity. This adventurous setting encourages curiosity about how things work.
Real-World Application: Children can be encouraged to ask questions and explore how everyday objects around them function, fostering a lifelong love for learning and discovery.
Example Lesson: Teamwork and Collaboration
Explanation: Throughout the book, the students must work together to navigate the electric power plant, emphasizing the importance of teamwork in achieving common goals.
Real-World Application: This lesson can be applied in group activities at school or play, teaching kids to cooperate and value each other’s input to accomplish tasks.
Example Lesson: Importance of Science Education
Explanation: The Magic School Bus series is known for making science accessible and fun. In this installment, complex concepts of electricity are simplified through an engaging narrative, showing the importance of science in understanding the world.
Real-World Application: Children can be inspired to engage more actively in their science classes and to conduct simple experiments that illustrate scientific principles, enhancing their academic development.
Example Lesson: Problem-solving Skills
Explanation: As the class encounters various challenges during their trip, they must use critical thinking and problem-solving skills to navigate the electric world.
Real-World Application: Kids learn that problems can be approached methodically and solved with ingenuity, equipping them with the confidence to tackle challenges in their daily life.
Example Lesson: Environmental Awareness
Explanation: Through the exploration of electricity, the book touches on sources of energy, subtly promoting awareness of environmental impact and the importance of sustainable energy.
Real-World Application: This can instill an early consciousness about energy conservation and encourage practices like turning off lights when not in use, promoting environmental stewardship from a young age.