[MUSIC PLAYING]
BUS DRIVER BOB (VOICEOVER): Coming up next
on Betsy's Kindergarten Adventures.
-We're going to write and perform a play.
-What was I going to be?
-You'll be playing a tree.
[GASPING]
-A tree?
Mrs. O'Connor has a surprise field trip planned for us.
-You've got to tell us where we're going.
I was up all night.
-Welcome to the aquarium.
[GASPING]
[CHILDREN TALKING]
[THEME MUSIC]
THEME SONG: A B C, and .
It's kindergarten time for you and me.
Me!
So climb aboard and take a seat.
Climb aboard!
For kindergarten fun with Betsy.
Betsy!
We'll meet new friends along the way
and have adventures everyday.
It's Betsy.
Betsy.
Kindergarten adventures.
[SQUEALING]
[MUSIC PLAYING]
-Betsy, breakfast is ready.
BETSY: Coming.
Where's Dad?
-He's upstairs dressing Kevin.
And what's our rule about talking with your mouth full?
-We shouldn't talk with our mouth full.
-OK, Kevin, we're almost finished.
I just need to find some pants for you.
[BABBLING]
Ah, here we go.
Now all you need is a shirt, and you're all dressed.
[LAUGHING]
That's funny.
I thought I put pants on you.
[BABBLING]
Oh well.
Wait a second.
There's something funny going on around here.
-All finished?
-Yes.
Thank you.
-Then go brush your teeth.
It's almost time for the bus.
-OK.
Morning, Dad.
[YAWNING]
-Good morning, kiddo.
So what's for breakfast?
-We don't have time right now.
You took too long getting Kevin ready.
-Yeah.
Boy, it seemed like it took forever to dress him.
-It's funny, but I know just what you mean.
[LAUGHING]
-Oh, no!
-Bye bye.
See you later.
-Bye, Betsy.
-I love Monday mornings.
I like Saturdays and Sundays, too.
But Monday mornings are always special.
Mrs. O'Connor sure makes learning fun.
And on Friday, she said we'd all be doing
something really different this week.
I wonder what it could be.
-All right, everyone, let's all gather
around for morning circle time.
This Friday is Parents' Visiting Day.
It's a very special day when your family can come to school
and see what you've been learning.
-Oh, yeah, that's cool.
-So I thought it might be fun if we were
to present a very special project.
-Ooh.
-We're going to write and perform a play.
-A play?
Oh, boy!
-I've written down parts for each of you on these cards.
When I call your name, come up and take a card.
Be sure to bring it home so your parents
can help you with your costumes.
Maria, you're going to play Mother Nature.
-Yay!
Goody!
Oh, uh, Mrs. O'Connor, who is Mother Nature?
-Mother Nature?
I guess you could say she's the mother of the forest.
She watches over all the things in nature,
like plants and animals.
-So she's like a mommy?
-Exactly.
-Oh.
-Scotty, you'll be playing the park ranger.
Sarah will be a deer.
Newton will be a rabbit.
And Kenji's going to be a beaver.
Billy, you're going to be playing a bear.
-A bear?
Cool.
Do I get to eat the other animals?
[GASPING]
-What?
-That's not good.
-Huh?
-What?
-That's not a good idea.
-You don't get to eat anyone, Billy.
You're a friendly bear.
-Friendly?
[GROANING]
[LAUGHING]
-This was so exciting.
I wonder what kind of part I'll get.
-Molly, you'll be a squirrel.
-A squirrel?
Oh, I love squirrels.
They are so cute.
-And Betsy.
-Oh, boy.
What was I going to be?
A swan?
A raccoon?
Or maybe a--
-You'll be playing a tree.
[GASPING]
-A tree?
Golly.
I sure wasn't expecting that.
-Newton, here's a picture of a rabbit.
What can you tell me from this picture?
-Rabbits have long ears.
-They sure do.
What kind of fur do you think they have?
-Oh, soft fur.
Rabbits look like they would have very soft fur.
-That's right.
And they can run very fast.
-Oh, I know what that is.
That's a beaver.
-That's right, Kenji.
Beavers are builders.
They build special homes called dams our of wood and mud.
-Oh, look at his funny flat tail.
[LAUGHING]
-Mrs. O'Connor!
Mrs. O'Connor!
Look, a bear!
A really big bear!
Roar!
-Yes, Billy.
Bears are very big and very fierce.
But in our play, you're going to be--
-A friendly bear.
-Right.
Right.
Friendly.
(QUIETLY) Roar?
[LAUGHING]
-There's the recess bell.
Let's get some fresh air, and we'll start work on the play
when we get back inside.
Betsy, is anything the matter?
-Well, kind of.
I don't think being a tree is going to be much fun.
-Oh, Betsy, trees are much more interesting than you think.
-They are?
-Yes, indeed.
We'll talk more about it after recess, OK?
-OK.
I don't understand what Mrs. O'Connor mean when she
said that trees were interesting.
They aren't cute like squirrels or exciting like bears.
They're just trees.
[SIGHING]
-Betsy, do you want to ride on a swing with us?
-No, thanks.
-Thinking about the play?
-Uh-huh.
I don't think I want to be in the play.
-What?
And give us show business?
-You have to be in the play, Betsy.
[SIGHING]
-Billy, my family went camping last summer,
and we saw lots of trees.
Those trees didn't do anything.
They just stood there.
-Did you see any deer on your camping trip, Betsy?
-We sure did.
A mother deer with two babies.
They were so beautiful.
-What about rabbits?
Did you see any rabbits?
-We sure did.
My silly dog, Gracie, started chasing one.
[BARKING]
MARIA: Oh, no, that poor rabbit.
BETSY: Oh, don't worry.
Gracie couldn't catch him.
But when the rabbit finally got tired of playing with Gracie,
he jumped into a rabbit hole at the base of a big old tree.
That rabbit was lucky to have his house
under the roots of that big tree.
There was no way Gracie could get to him.
-But what about bears?
Did you see any big, ferocious bears?
[LAUGHING]
-Not exactly a ferocious bear.
The next morning, the park ranger took us to a place
where we all saw a cute little bear cub.
He looked very funny and very cute.
-What about squirrels?
You can't go into a forest and not see squirrels.
-Oh, we saw lots of squirrels.
But they stayed in the branches of the trees,
eating acorns and chattering at us as we walked by.
MOLLY: Squirrels are so cute.
-They sure are.
That's why I don't want to be in the play.
Trees don't do anything.
-Don't be silly, Betsy.
Trees do lots of things.
You just said so yourself.
-I did?
When?
-Just now when you told us how a tree
was a hiding place for a rabbit.
-And gave a mother deer and her babies dinner.
-And gave the squirrels a place to eat
and stay away from Gracie.
-And was a back scratcher for a bear.
-It sounds to me like trees are very important.
-Golly.
You're right.
Trees are important.
[LAUGHING]
-Yeah!
-I hadn't realized how important trees were.
Maybe playing a tree wouldn't be so bad after all.
[MUSIC PLAYING]
-Good evening.
I'm Principal Warner.
Welcome to Parents' Visiting Day.
Mrs. O'Connor's class has worked very hard on this program,
and we hope you enjoy it.
Thank you.
Where's that opening?
Oh, for goodness sake.
BETSY: Psst!
Principal Warner, over here.
-Uh, enjoy the show, everyone.
[MUSIC PLAYING]
-Please, Mr. Forest Ranger, I just
need one more tree to finish making my dam.
-Well, all right.
How about this tree here?
-Perfect.
-I am Mother Nature, and you must not cut down this tree.
-Why not?
-I think I will let the tree tell you herself.
-I may look like a plain old tree to you,
but a lot of animals in this forest depend on me.
-They do?
-Yes, they do.
Take Mr. Rabbit.
-Uh, my rabbit hole is down by the roots of this tree.
This tree is my home.
Please don't cut it down.
-Yes.
And the leaves on this tree are my favorite food.
Please don't cut it down.
-Yes, and I live up in the branches.
I have the best view of the entire forest
so please do not cut this tree down.
[ROARING]
[GASPING]
-Who is that coming towards us?
-It sounds like a friendly bear.
[ROARING]
I said friendly bear.
[ROARING]
-Oops.
I mean, uh, hello, everybody.
-Hello, friendly bear.
-Ah.
Ah.
That's better.
-How's my favorite back scratcher?
[LAUGHING]
-I'm fine.
-I'm sorry, Mr. Beaver, but I'm afraid I
can't let you cut this tree down.
-Oh, no.
How will I finish building my house now?
-Fear not, Mr. Beaver.
I know where there are some old logs near the river that will
give you all the wood you need to finish building your home.
-Hooray!
[SQUEALING]
BETSY: My mom and dad said I was a very good tree.
I even got flowers.
One thing's for sure-- I'll never
look at trees the same way ever again.
Trees really are special.
[MUSIC PLAYING]
One of things I really like about kindergarten
is that you never know what to expect each day.
Weekends are fun, but I like school better.
[MUSIC PLAYING]
DAPHNE: Kitty, there's nothing to be afraid of.
That's just Betsy's goldfish.
It can't hurt you.
-Good morning, Mom.
What's with Kitty?
-Oh, Kitty was frightened by your fish, that's all.
-Scared of Goldie?
Why?
-Well, you see, sometimes when you don't know about something,
it can seem scary.
-Oh, right.
Like my first day of school.
That was scary at first, but now I love it.
-Exactly.
I can tell you're very excited about today.
-Excited?
Am I ever!
Mrs. O'Connor has a surprise field trip planned for us,
and I love field trips.
-Good morning, bouncing Betsy.
Looks like someone's excited for the big trip today.
[LAUGHING]
-I'll say.
-Bus Driver Bob, do you know where we're going?
[SIGHING]
Mrs. O'Connor must have told you.
Come on.
Just one clue?
-Oh, well, I sure do know, Betsy.
Mrs. O'Connor trusted me with this most important secret,
and I promised her I would not tell a soul.
Bus driver's honor.
-Oh, please, Bus Driver Bob.
I just can't take it.
I need to know.
Just give me a little clue?
-No can do, Betsy.
Official bus driver code section
paragraph six clearly states and I quote--
[CLEARING THROAT]
"A good bus driver shall never divulge a teacher's
secret surprise plan for a field trip."
-Well, OK.
That does sound official.
-One way you can find out, though--
-Yes?
Tell me.
I'll do anything.
-Climb aboard, and let's get to school
so we don't end up missing the trip.
[LAUGHING]
-Good idea.
-OK, everyone.
Come together for morning circle, please.
Quickly.
-I wonder what it's going to be.
-OK, Mrs. O'Connor, I can't take it any longer.
You've got to tell us where we're going.
I was up all night.
-Oh, the suspense.
I have to know.
-Yeah!
Please tell us.
-Tell us, please.
-Well, I'm glad to see everyone is excited about today.
And I am as well.
Now I'm going to tell you a clue that should help you guess
where we're doing today and what we will be learning about.
Ready?
-Yes!
-OK.
One of things we'll learn about today
is the largest animal that ever lived.
Does anyone know what that is?
-Easy, Mrs. O'Connor-- an elephant.
We're going to the zoo.
-Good guess, Newton.
But actually the largest animal to ever live is a giraffe.
We must be going on a safari.
-Hm, sorry, boys.
But I happen to know that a dinosaur is
much larger than an elephant or a giraffe.
We're going to the dinosaur museum.
-Well, Mrs. O'Connor, who's right?
Where are we going?
-Actually, those are all good guesses.
But the largest animal to ever live is the blue whale.
-What?
A whale?
We're going to the ocean?
Oh, no.
Oh, no.
I can't swim, and all that sun is going to be bad for my hair.
[LAUGHING]
-Don't worry, Maria.
We're going to the aquarium.
The aquarium is a place where you can see and learn
about many different ocean animals.
-Yay!
So exciting!
-What's wrong, Kenji?
-Oh, I don't know, Betsy.
Ocean creatures?
I saw a scary movie about ocean creatures,
and I don't want anything to do with them.
-It turns out the only thing Kenji
knew about the ocean was what he saw in movies.
No wonder he was scared.
It was up to us to teach Kenji about the ocean
so he would not be afraid any longer.
-OK, everyone, we're here.
Welcome to the aquarium.
[GASPING]
-That is really something.
-Now I would like to introduce you to my friend Diver
Dave, who works here at the aquarium taking care
of all of these magnificent creatures.
He's going to take us on our tour.
-Good morning, boys and girls.
And thank you, Mrs. O'Connor.
Welcome.
I'm Diver Dave, and my job here at the aquarium
is to feed and take care of all the animals,
as well as teach youngsters-- like yourselves--
about the wonders of the ocean.
Now I'd like you to follow me and meet some of my friends.
Stay close.
-I don't know about this, Betsy.
It's dark in here, and the glass doesn't look very thick.
Do you think it will hold?
I don't want any of these fish getting
out and coming after me.
-Hm.
The glass break?
Can that happen?
Um, no, Kenji.
I wouldn't worry about that.
-OK, first creature-- who can guess?
This creature can have four, five, six, or even more arms.
They can change colors.
Their arms are covered in tiny little tube feet.
And if they lose an arm, don't panic.
A new one grows in its place.
Any ideas?
-I know.
A starfish.
-You guessed it, young man.
A starfish.
[GASPING]
-Whoa.
-Look at that.
-That is so cool.
MARIA: That is so nice.
MOLLY: Look at those colors.
I love the purple one!
DIVER DAVE: Yes, ma'am.
These are some beautiful little creatures, aren't they?
Important thing to remember-- if you ever
see one of these little guys washed up on the beach,
get it right back into the water.
They won't live very long on land.
Anyone want to feel?
-Me!
-I do!
-Me!
-All right, just line right up.
-Come on, Kenji.
You can do it.
They just feel bumpy, and their feet are tickly.
-No thanks, Betsy.
I see that mouth on the bottom there.
I don't want to get swallowed up.
-Could that happen?
I don't think that could happen, Kenji.
[SCREAMING]
-Billy, I'm going to need that starfish back now.
-I'm trying.
I'm trying.
He's eating my arm.
What?
Whoa!
Get him off.
Get him off.
Whoa.
That was a close one.
I could have been swallowed.
-See, Betsy, I told you.
-Oh, don't be worried, Billy.
The starfish was just afraid of you.
OK, kids.
Next up we have a very funny creation
who moves by opening and closing his body.
It is shaped kind of like an umbrella.
Any guesses?
-Ooh, me.
Me, Diver Dave.
A jellyfish?
-Very good, Bus Driver Bob.
BUS DRIVER BOB: Yes, sir, I know all about jellyfish.
On summer vacation last year, I became well-acquainted with one
while I was swimming.
I was feeling that for a week.
-Do jellyfish really sing, Diver Dave?
-That is absolutely correct, Scott.
That's why we won't be petting this one.
-Did you hear that, Betsy?
Jellyfish sting.
-Even though they sting, there's nothing to fear.
Sure it hurts a bit, but it goes away right quick.
-See, Kenji?
Oh.
-Come on, Kenji.
Let's see what's in there.
-Whoa!
-Aw, it's just a plant.
[SCREAMING]
He's got me!
-I see you've met one of our sea anemones.
-I sure did.
Thanks again, Diver Dave.
-I don't think there's anything here that won't eat you.
-But-- this was harder than it looked.
-All right.
Does anyone know what we have here?
-Oh, Mrs. O'Connor told us about this.
That is a blue whale.
DIVER DAVE: Very good, Sarah.
This here is a blue whale.
Well, it's a pretend blue whale.
Seeing as though the blue whale is the largest animal ever
to live, we would have a tough time holding
this guy in our little aquarium here.
So this is just a model of what one would really look like.
-By my calculations, this blue whale is-- huge!
DIVER DAVE: You can say that again.
This guy can grow to be feet long.
people could stand right on its tongue.
-Ew!
Why would they?
-And check out this cool fact.
Everyone make a fist with your hand like this.
Good.
Now that's how big your heart is.
This blue whale's heart is as big as a small car.
[CHILD GASPING]
Now can anyone guess what something
this huge might like to snack on?
-Oh, oh, oh.
Something big like a shark?
-Or lots of big fish?
-Kids?
DIVER DAVE: Not quite.
Believe it or not, the blue whale eats teeny tiny fish
from the ocean called plankton that
are so small you can barely even see them.
-They must have to spend their whole day eating.
-And they do.
-That thing could swallow my whole house.
-But they only eat little fish.
-Yes, but what about when they get real hungry?
-Hm.
-Eww.
That smell.
What is that?
-Ew.
It is positively disgusting.
-Oh, that smell.
Well, that's just lunch.
-Ew!
-What?
-Oh no!
-I think I'll pass.
DIVER DAVE: Don't worry.
It's lunch for Lucky.
Lucky's a seal.
He's been working on some new tricks to show you guys.
But if it's OK with you, Mrs. O'Connor,
I'll be needing two volunteers.
-Sounds good.
Let's see here.
How about--
-Whoa, me!
Me, Mrs. O'Connor.
Pick me!
Seals are my favorite.
-Well, OK then.
Billy and--
-No, no, no.
Just look the other way.
I'll be safe.
-How about Kenji?
-Bye, Betsy.
It was nice knowing you.
-OK, first off, we need to get Lucky up here.
Now Billy, do exactly as I do, and we're
going to get Lucky to jump through this ring here.
-Whoa!
-That's so cool.
-Lucky!
-OK, Billy, give him a treat.
-Oh, boy.
My favorite part.
-OK, Billy.
Hold up your hoop.
Get ready for one more jump.
-Oh, no.
-Nice, fella.
Easy there.
Please don't eat me.
Just relax.
I'm just a kid.
I don't taste good.
You're not so bad after all.
[LAUGHING]
I think you like me.
[BARKING]
-Yay!
Lucky!
-That was good!
-You did it!
-Well, everybody, I hope you enjoyed learning all
about the wonderful ocean world today.
Unfortunately, many of these ocean animals
are endangered-- dolphins, sharks, coral, sea turtles,
and this guy up here will be gone from this planet forever.
-Gone?
That is terrible.
What are we supposed to do?
DIVER DAVE: Well, one thing that all kids can help with
is keeping our earth clean and not littering.
That garbage can make its way into the water,
harming ocean animals.
You can do your part by making sure your garbage ends up
in the trash, not on the ground.
-We can do that.
-I want to help keep the ocean animals safe.
-We will.
-We will, yeah.
BETSY: So our surprise trip to the aquarium
turned out to be a blast.
And Kenji saw that learning all about something
is the best way to get over your fear of it.
MRS. O'CONNOR (VOICEOVER): Visit the Betsy's Kindergarten
Adventures' website, and see how Betsy is getting
ready for school, play games, color pictures,
and meet all of Betsy's friends at pbskids.org.
[MUSIC PLAYING]
BETSY (VOICEOVER): My friends and I love to read.
You can kind all kinds of fun and interesting books
to read at your local library.
Visit the library in your town today
to have your own adventures.
Just like me
[LAUGHING]
-Of course, garbage will have to be
taken out by somebody strong.
-When some gives you a responsibility,
you should always do your very best.
MRS. O'CONNOR: How about Billy?
-All right!
I get to take out the garbage!
[MUSIC PLAYING]