The Magic School Bus is a popular educational children's book and television series that follows the adventures of a class of students and their eccentric teacher, Ms. Frizzle. One of the many memorable episodes is "The Magic School Bus Gets Lost in Space," where the class ventures into space to explore the wonders of the universe. Throughout the series, the Magic School Bus is transformed into various objects and creatures to help the students learn about different scientific concepts. In the episode "The Magic School Bus Gets Lost in Space," the bus is transformed into a **light source** as the class learns about light and its properties. Ms.
Date Modified: December 2014
Because he felt he had nothing of interest, Maguire created this drawing of the Witch and donated it to the collections of the Society s Kansas Museum of History in 2010. This simple drawing by author Gregory Maguire depicts the Wicked Witch of the West, Oz supervillain and subject of a modern retelling of the classic story.
Ms. Frizzle takes her class on an extraordinary journey through space to learn about the different forms and behavior of light. The class investigates topics such as reflection, refraction, and the speed of light.
Wicked Drawing
This simple drawing by author Gregory Maguire depicts the Wicked Witch of the West, Oz supervillain and subject of a modern retelling of the classic story.
The Wizard of Oz is a popular story known throughout the world. Everyone recognizes its plot: an innocent girl from Kansas falls into the Land of Oz, accidentally kills the Wicked Witch of the East, meets a mostly charming cast of characters, and escapes the evil-doings of the Wicked Witch of the West, all to get back home to Kansas. It's a classic tale of good versus evil. Or is it? What if the story were told from the Wicked Witch's perspective?
Written by L. Frank Baum in 1900, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz introduced readers to the Wicked Witch of the West, a character so cruel that her name became synonymous with evil. The 1939 movie (starring Judy Garland) made the Witch even scarier, with green skin, a cackling voice, and a pointy hat. Her flying monkey minions and Winkie guards did nothing to soften her image.
Wicked
The Witch maintained an evil persona until 1995, when author Gregory Maguire gave her a reprieve. Influenced by the political turmoil of the Vietnam era, Maguire was curious about how people determined if someone was good or bad. Did a negative outcome make a person bad, even if his intensions were good? Maguire set out to study this question through the character of the Wicked Witch. The result was a book entitled Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West.
In his original books, Baum had given the Witch no origin story and no name. By contrast, Maguire's book tells her story from birth to death and bestows on her the name Elphaba. As a child and teenager, Elphaba--with her green skin and savage nature--is an outsider among both her family and peers. As an adult, she becomes a political activist and joins a resistance movement against the Wizard of Oz, whom she sees as a tyrant. While her actions are meant to help a repressed people, they often have a negative outcome, making Elphaba appear wicked. The Wizard of Oz sees her as a threat, and it's in his best interest to turn the public against her. Maguire's book presents the Witch as mischaracterized rather than simply evil.
Though Wicked wasn't an instant bestseller, it gained in popularity and was adapted into a hit Broadway musical. The Wicked Witch has become an icon for some, representing a person who tries to improve society and a misfit who recognizes what she has to offer.
Maguire sketched this depiction of Elphaba in 2010 when a Kansas Historical Society staff member contacted him to acquire materials related to the book or musical for the collections. Because he felt he had nothing of interest, Maguire created this drawing of the Witch and donated it to the collections of the Society's Kansas Museum of History in 2010.
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Entry: Wicked Drawing
Author: Kansas Historical Society
Author information: The Kansas Historical Society is a state agency charged with actively safeguarding and sharing the state's history.
Date Created: December 2010
Date Modified: December 2014
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They witness firsthand how light travels through space, bounces off surfaces, and can be split into its different colors. The Magic School Bus light episode provides a fun and interactive way for children to learn about light and its importance in our everyday lives. By transforming the bus into a light source, the students are able to see how light affects their surroundings and the objects they encounter. This episode also emphasizes the importance of curiosity and exploration in the learning process. Ms. Frizzle encourages her students to ask questions and make observations, sparking their excitement for scientific discovery. By engaging the students in hands-on experiences, the Magic School Bus light episode fosters a love for learning and a deeper understanding of scientific concepts. Overall, the Magic School Bus light episode serves as a valuable educational tool to teach children about the properties and behavior of light. Through imaginative storytelling and interactive experiences, the series encourages young minds to explore and question the world around them. Whether it's learning about light or other scientific topics, the Magic School Bus continues to inspire generations of children to embrace the wonders of science..
Reviews for "The Magic School Bus Cracks the Code: A Lesson in Light and Information"
1. Emma - 2 stars - I was really disappointed with the "Magic School Bus Light" book. I have always loved the original series, but this spin-off just didn't capture the same magic. The storyline felt lackluster and predictable, and the illustrations were not as engaging as in the original books. It also seemed like the characters were not as well-developed, and I didn't feel as invested in their adventures. Overall, I was left wanting more from this book and would not recommend it to fans of the original series.
2. John - 1 star - As a long-time fan of the "Magic School Bus" series, I was highly disappointed with "Magic School Bus Light". The book lacked the educational aspect that made the original series so great. The science facts and explanations were either oversimplified or completely missing. Additionally, the humor and wit that were present in the original series seemed to be lacking in this book. I found it hard to engage with the story or the characters, and it was just not as enjoyable as I had hoped. I would not recommend this book to anyone looking for a fun and educational read.
3. Sarah - 3 stars - While "Magic School Bus Light" was an okay book, it did not live up to the high expectations set by the original series. The concept of exploring light was interesting, but the execution felt rushed and shallow. The plot lacked depth, and the characters felt like watered-down versions of their original selves. The illustrations were decent, but not as captivating as those in the original books. Overall, it was a mediocre read, but I don't think it would satisfy fans of the original "Magic School Bus" series.