The Wild Leaf Ride (Magic School Bus, Scholastic Reader, Level 2)
Magic School Bus Science Readers Series
illustrations by
on Goodreads (115)
What’s inside...
Miss Frizzle's class is learning about leaves and participates in a Leaf Hunt game. They embark on a field trip aboard the Magic School Bus to find a missing leaf. Throughout their journey, they encounter excitement and learn various facts about leaves. The adventure is designed to be a fun and educational experience for younger fans of the television show.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
4-8
Length
32 pages
Text complexity
Character compass
Ms. Frizzle
Discussion points
What do you think it would be like to ride on a magic school bus that can shrink?
What was your favorite part of the leaf's journey, and why?
How do you think the characters felt when they were exploring the leaf?
What did you learn about how plants make food for themselves?
If you could explore any part of nature on the magic school bus, where would you go and why?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to use their imagination by asking them to describe what their own magic school bus adventure would look like.
Relate the themes of the book to real-life by discussing the plants and trees around your home or in your neighborhood.
After reading, enact a small role-play with your child where they can be one of the characters from the book exploring a giant leaf.
Use the book as a starter for a small science project, perhaps growing a plant from a seed, to enhance understanding of photosynthesis.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Importance of Teamwork
Explanation: Throughout 'The Wild Leaf Ride', the students on the magic school bus work together to navigate through different challenges posed by their journey through the parts of a plant.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson by participating in group activities where cooperation is key, teaching them the value of working together to achieve common goals.
Example Lesson: Curiosity and Exploration
Explanation: The book encourages exploring and asking questions as the characters learn about plant biology in an interactive manner.
Real-World Application: This can inspire children to be inquisitive about the natural world around them, motivating them to learn more about science and nature in their everyday surroundings.
Example Lesson: Respect for Nature
Explanation: By journeying inside the parts of a plant, the characters demonstrate a respectful and gentle approach towards nature while learning.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to appreciate and care for the environment, understanding the importance of plants in our ecosystem, and may be encouraged to take part in activities like gardening or recycling.