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In reference to the magic school bus books, not videos - would you consider these to be nonfiction or fiction? I feel like they could go either way, especially since I have found information labeling it as one somewhere and the other somewhere else. Regardless, what are some suggestions you have of fiction books for kindergarteners that would work for teaching living and nonliving? I have found some books, but all have been considered nonfiction (one is filed in the library as fiction, so I am accepting that one as fiction - trust the library over the internet right?!). Thank you in advance!

I would say fiction because I believed that it was just a cartoon that would keep the younger children more interested in Science.

Thanks guys! I feel like these could still be considered a mixture, but will probably consider them their own category.

I think that the magic school bus can be considered fiction because of the adventures that the school bus goes through.

The Magic School Bus would definitely be considered as Science Fiction, however, it is a great way to engage students into the learning content. Especially when you are working with a younger group of kids, you want to engage them in the beginning of the lesson, this would be a great introduction by using The Magic School Bus.

Science Fiction, the students love these videos as well!

Magic School Bus really floats directly in between both nonfiction and fiction. I have used it for either.

I would say fiction. The topics within the book are clearly non-fiction topics, but the way they go about discussing the topics in the book are fiction. The idea is still a great idea because the kids would much rather read about a transforming school bus taking us on an adventure through the human body instead of reading a textbook about the same information.

The magic school bus is a good resource to introduce students to the content you will be teaching. Sometimes, if your school has a literacy library (focused on literacy development through intervention) they also have books that are great for science. They are developed to support the student reading level but contain important and relevant information on science topics. They are also a great resource for all students because they tend to come in different reading levels, which can help you differentiate if you include them in your lesson.

I think they need a category all on their own! They are a mixture of both fiction and nonfiction.

I agree, I would also say Fiction. This show is great for building interest in science and encouraging students to learn.

I agree with the genre. However, the factual side bars are total science non-fiction (factoids) and can be used beautifully as opposed to 'typical' science fiction which can be more fantasy than scientific fiction. Thanks!]

I had this discussion in a book study last year and thought it was funny that it came up here. I do agree it would be science fiction but there are some books that are difficult to fit in one shoe. I'll see if I can remember our whole discussion and come back later.

I think the magic school bus videos are great as a quick review. I do not use them as a teaching tool, but the kids love to watch them as a fun quick review on days such as field trip days or after tests when there is time.