The Magic School Bus Explores the Rainforest
Reviewed by Cynthia A. Sorrels
Published by Microsoft

Type: Social Studies Price: $34.95

Description:

Join Mrs. Frizzle and her students through the Costa Rican rain forest to "bioclone" parts of the ecosystem as they work on replicating a rain forest in their classroom. The group will be familiar to children from the Scholastic books and the animated cartoons. Mrs. Frizzle looks younger in the CD version (television must add weight to cartoons, too!) and is on hand to help at any point in the exploration.

Features:

• Fourteen games and activities to teach science concepts.
• Over 20 multimedia reports with video clips, narration and more.
• Explore 7 eco-zones within the 3 layers of the rain forest.
• Help the class find the bio-clones they need.
• Familiar characters from the books and tv series.

Technical Aspects:

We had no problems with installation or as we played with this title. No choppiness was found in the audio or the video sequences. Graphics are done in the same cartoon style familiar to kids who watch the cartoon series on PBS.

Report and Conclusions:

Besides that children aged 6 to 10 will be interested in this subject, it will take them many hours of exploration and play to work through all the areas. There's a map available to help them decide which way to look first, and kids will enjoy the activities and games. Our favorite was Lizard Racer, in which kids build a lizard that can run on water. Mrs. Frizzle and the class will keep your kids busy learning and exploring for quite some time to come. The title is also available in a School Edition, which includes a curriculum guide for teachers - at no additional cost.

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