I think Ms. Frizzle is an unusual teacher. My ps teacher hubby jokes that she somehow manages to get around NCLB without getting written up in her file. MSB books present in some ways a normal classroom (bickering, fear of change, childhood comparisons, Frizzle being the odd teacher). They also show children that learning can be hands-on and fun rather than the sterile environment they are used to in most ps classrooms.

(Unlike our aunt’s school, we also do not have a problem with references to “millions of years.” We’re Bible-believing Evangelical Christians, but don’t teach a young-earth, anti-evolution interpretation.)

That said, these still aren’t our favorite books to read. In fact, Nicole says she can’t stand reading them! I think the reason they rub us the wrong way is that while there may not really be any active disrespect involved, neither is there much actual respect & care in Ms. Frizzle’s classroom. Where are the friendships? Where’s the community? These books are more joke & information than character & discovery. That’s fine as a component of a unit study, but it’s not really the model most homeschool families are trying to hold up to their kids.

Maybe science biographies would be more appealing to us…
.-= Andrew Wetzel (CircleReader)´s last blog ..Reading Aloud: the Words Endure – or, The Cosmic Bedtime Story =-.

That said, these are a fun. I just wish they reinforced respect for teachers.
.-= Renae´s last blog ..How I Choose Curriculum =-.

Angela – have fun with it! Unit studies have been my lifeboat. We all have fun and the learning is more like playtime when it is about something we are interested in.