James Baquet

A few years ago, my wife’s younger brother lived with us. Friends recommended educational television shows for him to watch, and the best of the ones we tried (better than when I was a kid!) was “The Magic School Bus,” an award-winning animated science series. In four seasons of 52 episodes, it covered topics from astronomy, biology, chemistry, climatology, ecology, engineering, geology, physics — and even dinosaurs!

The show is based in the class of a teacher named Miss Frizzle, who is actually a kind of witch. Every week she loads up her students for a field trip in a dilapidated old bus which, as the title says, is magic, taking the kids to other times and places, including outer space and inside the human body. (It was based on a series of books of the same name.)

Each student has a distinct personality:

Arnold Perlstein: a seemingly timid Jewish American boy. He often says in difficult situations, “I knew I should have stayed home today.” But he’s brave enough when the situation calls for it.

Carlos Ramon: a Hispanic American who is the “class clown,” always making jokes or puns about the situations they’re in. (The kids often groan in unison, “CAAR-LOOS!”)

Dorothy Ann Hudson: a bookworm who often looks up background on the episode’s topic.

Keesha Franklin: an African American girl, level-headed and realistic. When things get tough she may say, “Let’s get the facts!”

Phoebe Terese: a French-Canadian girl who is sweet and caring toward her classmates. Not surprisingly, she is also an animal activist.

Ralphie Tennelli: an Italian American boy who is the class “jock.” A bit of a daydreamer, he is nonetheless the de facto class leader, who often says when facing difficulties, “I think I’m gonna be sick.”

Tim Wright: an African American boy who likes to draw or film the class’s experiences. In tight situations he says, “We’ve been Frizzled!”

Wanda Li: a Chinese American tomboy who is very adventurous. She can be a bit bossy, admonishing the others, when necessary, “Come on, you weasily wimps!”

And of course we have to mention Liz, the class’ pet chameleon who often — through mishaps — leads the students into an adventure. She has some human traits, but never speaks.

Vocabulary:

Which word above means:

1. in fact, but not official

2. all together

3. a type of lizard

4. weak people

5. a masculine girl

6. someone who loves to read

7. clear thinking, practical

8. dishonest

9. an athlete

10. old and worn out