 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
The Magic School Bus: Oceans
- Nintendo DS
- Price: $19.99
- Genre: Educational
Common Sense Media says
Hooks kids with fun games and loads them with knowledge.
Parents say
Kids say
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that The Magic School Bus: Oceans is an educational game based on an episode of the Magic School Bus TV series as well as a book. There are a ton of interactive mini-games woven into the story, and the game presents a vast amount of information about ocean life (much of which may be educational even to adults). One mini-game is about the food chain and does show fish eating other, smaller fish.
What kids can learn
Kids can learn about our oceans and the marine life that resides within. By joining Ms. Frizzle's wacky field trip into the ocean, kids explore the different levels of the ocean and meet creatures that live within each. Ms. Frizzle introduces them to the appearances, habits, and diets of these ocean creatures via videos, photos and factoids. Kids can play games with marine animals as a means of reinforcing the information that's been introduced. Kids experience the wonders of the ocean in this terrific underwater field trip.
Skills
- Collaboration
- Communication
- Creativity
- Emotional Development
- Health & Fitness
- Responsibility & Ethics
- Self-Direction
- Tech Skills
- Thinking & Reasoningapplying information, collecting data, solving puzzles
What's it about?
In The Magic School Bus: Oceans, the students have to decorate their classroom with a marine theme for Parents' Day, so Miss Frizzle takes them on a field trip to the bottom of the sea where they can learn about ocean life firsthand. At each level of the ocean (tidal basin, coral reef, etc.), kids can pick up tons of info about the kinds of fish and other creatures that live in that region. Then they're tested on that info through a series of mini-games that range from obstacle courses to straight-up quizzes.
Is it any good?
The Magic School Bus: Oceans is perfectly designed to make kids feel like they're really part of this magical field trip to the depths of the sea. It's quite a feat, really. There are a ton of hard facts in here, not just generalized basic info. And yet, Oceans always feels like a game, never a homework session. Some of the activities are pure games, like steering a sideways-walking crab through a maze of rocks and seaweed. But others draw directly on the knowledge that kids should have picked up through their exploring time. It's a great strategy, because it forces kids to go back, re-read, and really absorb the information if they want to earn enough points to unlock the next level. This is a wonderful model for educational games.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about the Earth's oceans. The game may get children very interested in sea life. Parents can use this as a way to then inform kids about some of the more pressing issues affecting our oceans, like the plight of coral reefs.
Does playing an educational game make the learning more fun?
What kids can learn
Kids can learn about our oceans and the marine life that resides within. By joining Ms. Frizzle's wacky field trip into the ocean, kids explore the different levels of the ocean and meet creatures that live within each. Ms. Frizzle introduces them to the appearances, habits, and diets of these ocean creatures via videos, photos and factoids. Kids can play games with marine animals as a means of reinforcing the information that's been introduced. Kids experience the wonders of the ocean in this terrific underwater field trip.
Subjects
- Arts:
- Hobbies:
- Language & Reading:
- Math:
- Science: animals, ecosystems, life cycle
- Social Studies:
Skills
- Collaboration:
- Communication:
- Creativity:
- Emotional Development:
- Health & Fitness:
- Responsibility & Ethics:
- Self-Direction:
- Tech Skills:
- Thinking & Reasoning: applying information, collecting data, solving puzzles
How kids will learn
Kids join Ms. Frizzle's class as she takes them on a field trip to the bottom of the sea. At each level of the ocean (tidal basin, coral reef, etc.), kids can pick up tons of info about the kinds of fish and other creatures that live in that region by simply clicking on the various life forms they come across. Kids need to read all the text and view videos and photos, because they'll be tested on that info through a series of mini-games and quizzes that cover food chains, how sea creatures move, and much more.
How parents can help
- Read non-fiction books about ocean life to your child, including The Magic School Bus on the Ocean Floor.
- Plan a trip to a public aquarium or an amusement park such as Sea World.
- Check out science kits and help your child perform experiments for firsthand experience with scientific knowledge.
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| Platforms: | Nintendo DS |
| Available online? | Not available online |
| Genre: | Educational |
| Developer: | Scholastic |
| Release date: | October 25, 2011 |
| Price: | $19.99 |
| ESRB rating: | E for N/A |
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