Ep 3. Kicks Up a Storm

Ms. Frizzle and her class are back for another exciting adventure on the Magic School Bus. In season 1 episode 3, Kicks Up a Storm, the class is learning about weather and storms. As they board the bus, Ms. Frizzle announces that they will be learning about the creation of thunderstorms.

As they travel through the clouds, the class notices how different clouds look. Ms. Frizzle explains that there are various types of clouds and that they are an essential part of weather. The class takes notes on the characteristics of cumulus, stratus, and cirrus clouds.

Suddenly, the bus begins to shake uncontrollably. The class is frightened as they realize the bus is flying right into a thunderstorm. Ms. Frizzle smiles and tells the class that this is what they have been waiting for. She explains that the storm will provide them with an opportunity to learn firsthand how thunder and lightning are created.

As they descend deeper into the storm, the class begins to experience turbulence. Arnold, the class worrywart, is especially anxious. Ms. Frizzle reminds Arnold that this is a perfect time to take observations and to use what they have learned in the classroom. Arnold takes out his notebook and begins to jot down notes about the temperature, humidity, and wind speed.

As they travel through the heart of the storm, they witness lightning and thunder. Ms. Frizzle explains that lightning is an electrical discharge that occurs between the positively charged top of a thunderstorm and the negatively charged ground. Thunder is simply the sound that lightning creates.

Before the class can take in all that they are seeing and hearing, they notice that the bus is beginning to descend rapidly towards the ground. Ms. Frizzle calmly explains that the wind speed inside the storm must have changed, and they were pushed down towards the ground. The class frantically looks for a safe place to land but there seems to be nowhere.

Finally, Ms. Frizzle sees an abandoned barn that appears to be safe to land. As they land, they see that the barn is in an overgrown field. Carlos notes that there are several pieces of farm equipment lying around that seem as if no one had used them in years. The class is intrigued by their surroundings but is quickly reminded that they have a lesson to finish.

While inside the barn, they notice that the birds seem to be taking refuge from the storm. Ms. Frizzle explains that this is normal behavior and that birds have some interesting ways of preparing for bad weather. Keisha and Phoebe take the cue and start sketching the birds and noting observations for their journals.

Later on, the class takes a walk outside to see how the countryside has changed under the influence of the storm. They notice that the stream that had been dry for months is now flowing rapidly. Ralphie, however, is more interested in the old tractor he found. He climbs onto the driver's seat and starts playing with the levers. To his surprise, he starts the tractor and suddenly realizes that he is moving it.

The rest of the class is mystified by the event. Ms. Frizzle explains that lightning can produce an electric current that can charge objects with enough energy to make them move. She then goes on to explain how lightning can be dangerous and reminds the class to be careful.

As the storm passes, the class boards the bus and prepares to leave. As they take off, they notice that the farmer has come back and is scratching his head in disbelief at the sight of his tractor moving on its own. The class waves goodbye and heads back to school.

This Magic School Bus adventure is a fun and exciting way to learn about the basics of thunderstorms. It is an engaging episode that will keep children interested while they learn about weather. Ms. Frizzle's amazing teaching techniques make learning fun and interactive, and children will come away with a better understanding of how weather works.