NARRATOR: Coming up next on "Betsy's
Kindergarten Adventures"--
-Let's go to my house and see what
will float away on our balloons.
Kevin, he was right here.
-He must have floated away.
This is not good.
-Does anyone know what to do if they see a fire?
-Look!
A fire!
-What do we do?
THEME MUSIC: A, B, C and , , .
It's kindergarten time for you and me.
So climb aboard, and take a seat-- climb
aboard-- for kindergarten fun with Betsy.
Betsy!
We'll make new friends along the way
and have adventures every day.
It's "Betsy's"-- Betsy-- "Kindergarten Adventures."
[BABY COOING]
-Hello, Bus Driver Bob.
-Well hello, Billy.
-Wow.
You're a giant, Bus Driver Bob.
-A giant?
Oh. [LAUGHS] That's because you're
looking at me through your binoculars.
[LAUGHS]
-I know.
Aren't my new binoculars cool?
I can see really far away with them.
-Uh-huh.
And everything near you looks really big, huh?
[LAUGHS]
-Yeah.
BETSY (VOICEOVER): I'll never forget the day
that my baby brother nearly floated away.
-Whoa!
[LAUGHS]
BETSY (VOICEOVER): It all started with a lesson
Mrs. O taught to the class.
-How many of you have ever lost a helium balloon?
[STUDENTS TALKING]
-My dad bought me a balloon at the circus last year,
and I accidentally let go of it.
TEACHER: And what happened, Betsy?
BETSY: It floated way up to the top of the tent.
Even the clown on stilts couldn't reach it.
TEACHER: Do you know why your balloon floated away?
-Um, not really.
-We all know that a rock is more dense than air, right?
-Wait!
What's dense?
-I was hoping you would ask that, Billy.
You see, everything is made up of little tiny pieces
called molecules.
A rock has many more of these tiny pieces than the air does.
We call that density, and a rock has
a greater density than the air.
So the rock falls to the ground when you drop it.
A rock is also more dense than water.
So if I drop this rock into water,
it will sink to the bottom.
This rubber ball is filled with air,
and air is less dense than water.
So when I drop it in the water, it floats to the top.
Does everybody understand?
-What does this have to do with balloons?
-Well, if you fill a balloon with rocks,
it will sink to the ground.
If you fill another balloon with air,
it will seem to float for a moment.
But it won't float away.
The balloon is just as dense as the air round it.
This t*nk is filled with helium.
Helium is a gas that is actually less
dense than the air that surrounds us.
So if you fill a balloon with helium,
the helium will float through the air the same way
that rubber ball floated to the top of the water earlier.
-And the balloon will float away.
-That's right, Betsy.
Just like your balloon at the circus.
Eventually, the helium will leak out,
and the balloon will return to the ground.
I'm gonna give you all some helium-filled balloons
this afternoon so that you can do some testing of your own.
-Let's go to my house and see what
will float away on our balloons.
-I bet we can make a whole car float
away with all these balloons.
-Bus Driver Bob, do you think the bus will float away
with all these balloons inside?
-I think the bus should be just fine.
I'm not sure if there will be room
for you kids in here though.
-Sure is a blue day out there today.
-Really?
It's awfully pink out over here.
[LAUGHS]
-I think you are both wrong.
It's completely green out today.
-Are we almost home, Bus Driver Bob?
-Just a few more minutes, Betsy.
-Perfect!
We have everything we need to test out our balloons.
If we start with the lightest object,
we can see how much weight a balloon can take.
There it goes!
BETSY: Wow.
It's really going fast.
-I bet this stick is a lot heavier than that pencil.
Aw, man.
There goes another balloon.
-That's balloons, two.
Kids, nothing.
-Oh.
Maybe we should start with the heavy stuff
and work our way down.
-Our experiments might last a little bit longer that way.
-Hey, if we tied all our balloons together,
maybe we can get something really heavy to float away.
-How are the experiments going, kids?
-So far, the balloons are winning.
[LAUGHS]
-It looks like Kevin really likes balloons.
Betsy, do you think you and your friends
could spare a balloon for Kevin to play with?
-Um, sure.
But we need it back for our experiment.
[LAUGHS]
-Oh, Betsy.
Your brother is so cute.
-Betsy, keep an eye on Kevin for me.
I'll be right inside.
-OK, mom.
-OK.
Let's start with this rock.
I tied the balloon to the rock and--
-Nothing happens.
-That's not the most exciting experiment.
[COOING]
-Do you like that balloon, Kevin?
-Look, everyone.
The balloon is taking that pine cone.
-Let's see if we can follow it.
-Here, Kevin.
Hold on to these for a second, will you?
[COOING]
-Bye-bye.
[SIGHS]
-It looks like they left you to play by yourself, Kevin.
Betsy has a long time before we let her babysit, huh?
-One more balloon gone.
-I guess that pine cone wasn't enough after all.
-Maybe if we tied all of my balloons to it,
it would've-- oh no!
-What's wrong, Betsy?
-Kevin, he was right here.
I handed him my balloons.
-You handed him all your balloons at once?
-I didn't realize.
He's just a baby.
He's so light, and all those balloons.
-He must have floated away.
Oh no.
This is not good.
-We've got to find him before my mom finds out he's missing.
-I think I see some balloons way up there,
but I can't really tell.
-That can't be Kevin.
He couldn't have floated up there that fast.
-How do you know?
What if it is him?
How will I ever find him?
How will my mother ever forgive me?
-Betsy, we'll find Kevin.
All we have to do is release more balloons
and see where the wind takes them.
-Great idea!
All we need are a lot of balloons and another baby.
-There we go.
Ready for launch.
-Let it go, and I'll watch exactly where it goes.
-Wherever the balloon goes, that's where Kevin went.
-Here goes nothing!
-Great.
Kevin's gone forever.
-Kevin is heavier than a stick.
I think we need to try this again.
-Keep an eye on the log.
It's going where Kevin went.
-Bon voyage, balloon!
BETSY: That can't be good.
-Let's try one more test.
This ought to do it.
Let's say this doll is Kevin and these balloons
are Betsy's balloons.
-Here we go.
-Um, I'm not sure what just happened.
-OK.
The balloons and Kevin floated away.
-But why didn't the doll float away?
-How are we going to chase after Kevin and bring him back?
-We need to plan a rescue.
-Wait a minute, Betsy.
Does that doll feel heavier than your brother Kevin?
-No.
-I've got a rescue plan!
-Now, exactly how is this going to work?
-I get in the chair.
We untie the rocks, and I float up to where Kevin is.
I grab him, let the helium out of the balloons and come down.
-So let me get this straight.
First you're going to float out of here.
You don't really know how far up you'll float.
You may go all the way up to space.
Somehow you'll find Kevin out there.
[COOING]
You'll grab him.
You'll let the air out of the balloons,
and you'll fall gently to the ground?
[CHEERING]
And you really think that will work?
-It looks good on paper.
-Wait a second.
Betsy said that the doll felt lighter than Kevin.
-Yes?
-So if Kevin is heavier than the doll and the same amount
of balloons couldn't carry the doll away,
I'm not so sure that Kevin floated anywhere.
-I hope you're not thinking of floating
away with my lawn chair.
-Mom?
Kevin!
-You act like you haven't seen him for months, Betsy.
-It's just-- well, I thought-- are you sure it's OK for him
to play with balloons, mom?
-He's not the one trying to make a lawn chair disappear.
-We were prepared to rescue him.
-You would need a lot more balloons
to get off the ground, Kenji.
I think you actually weigh more than the helium.
And Betsy, the next time you think
there is a serious problem, please
go get an adult before you try to solve the problem.
-But I just didn't want you to think
I couldn't watch Kevin on my own.
-Fortunately, I was keeping my eye on Kevin through the window
just to make sure that he was OK.
We have a few more years before you
can really watch Kevin by yourself.
-I think I'd rather wait.
So the helium balloon wasn't quite enough to make
Kevin or Kenji float away, but it
was fun to learn about density and helium balloons.
BETSY (VOICEOVER): One of the things I really
like about kindergarten is that you
never know what to expect each day.
Weekends are fun, but I like school better.
[HOWLING]
[COOING]
-OK, you two.
That's enough noise.
Thank you.
That's better.
Now, why don't you two play quietly?
OK?
I'm sure you and Gracie can both think of a lot of fun things
to do that aren't so loud.
Hm?
Kevin?
[COOING]
-Oh no!
Oh no, no, no.
Gracie!
-Mom, have you seen my fireman's hat?
Oh, here it is.
OK.
I'm ready for school.
-Good morning, everyone.
-Good morning, Bus Driver Bob.
-Hello, Bus Driver Bob.
-Betsy, I see you're ready for your field
trip to the fire house today.
Say, do you know why firemen wear red suspenders?
[LAUGHS]
-To keep their pants up.
-Oh.
You've heard that joke before, eh?
-Uh-huh.
[COOING]
-Today is going to be an exciting day.
Mrs. O'Connor is taking is to a real firehouse,
and we're going to meet real firefighters.
-Hi, Bus Driver Bob.
-Hello, Newton.
Say, Newton, do you know why firemen wear red suspenders?
-Sure.
To keep their pants up.
-Oh.
I guess you've heard that joke, too.
-Oh yeah.
My big brother tole me that joke at breakfast this morning.
-Ah.
Oh.
-Hi, Betsy.
-Hi, Newton.
I see you have your fireman's hat on, too.
-Uh-huh.
This is gonna be a great field trip.
-Good morning, everyone.
STUDENTS: Hi, Bus Driver Bob!
-Say, do any of you kids know why--
STUDENTS: To keep their pants up.
[SIGHS]
-I've got to get some new jokes.
-Good morning, everyone.
STUDENTS: Good morning, Mrs. O'Connor.
-So is everybody ready for our field trip to a real firehouse?
STUDENTS: Yes.
-All right then.
Everyone get in a line, and follow me.
Hold hands, and stay together.
-I've never been to a real firehouse before.
-Me neither.
-That's right.
Everyone stay close together.
-I love field trips, but I think the best thing about this field
trip is that we can walk to it.
BETSY (VOICEOVER): The firehouse is
right next door to Lake Shore School.
-Good morning, Mrs. O'Connor.
-Hello, chief.
Class, this is my very good friend Fire Chief Amanda Blaze.
-Good morning, children.
And welcome to Lake Shore engine company number .
STUDENTS: Good morning, Chief Blaze.
-Now then, does anybody know what a firefighter does?
-Puts out fires?
-That's right.
We put out fires.
Does anyone know what to do if they see a fire?
-Dial --.
-Right again.
Does anybody know how to make a -- call?
-You push the numbers -- on the telephone keypad
and wait for someone to answer.
Then you give them your name and address and tell them
where the fire or emergency is, and you
stay on the phone for instructions.
-Very good!
Now, I'm sure you have fire drills at school.
I'm glad to hear that.
But I'm curious, does anybody practice fire drills at home?
-My mom and dad and I practice fire drills at home.
-You do?
That's great!
-We practice finding our way out of our house in case of a fire.
My bedroom is on the second floor of our house,
so I have a special rope ladder in my bedroom
that I can only use in case of a real fire
or during one of our family fire drills.
Our special place to meet up during a fire
is the mailbox in our front yard.
-That's a very good.
Every family should have an exit plan in case of a home fire
and practice it regularly.
Now then, who wants to see the rest of the firehouse?
STUDENTS: Me!
[LAUGHS]
-Well then, follow me!
-Whoa.
Look at all the beds.
-Do you all live here?
-Not exactly, but firefighters have
to be ready to go day or night.
We have a kitchen, too.
And we all take turns cooking.
But we always have to be ready to leave at a moment's notice
when we hear the alarm bell.
This is the quickest way down.
-Wow.
[STUDENTS TALKING EXCITEDLY]
-Come on, everyone.
Let's take the stairs down.
STUDENTS: Aw.
-Gee, it's just like the pole on the jungle
gym at the playground.
-You, too, Billy.
That pole is for firefighters only.
-Ooh.
Some of this equipment sure looks scary.
-Our equipment may look strange, but it's all to keep you safe.
So if you ever see someone dressed like this,
don't be afraid.
[GASPS]
It's just a firefighter doing his or her job.
-Wow!
He looks like an alien from outerspace.
[LAUGHING]
-All that equipment is to protect the firefighter
from the heat and smoke of a fire
and to make sure that you and your family are safe, too.
-But the fire department does more than just fight fires.
-That's right.
Emergency medical service workers are also on duty
if you're ever hurt and need help right away.
STUDENTS: Ooh!
Whoa!
-Can any of you think of some ways to keep safe from fires?
-Never play with matches.
-That's right!
-Never put anything over a lamp, like clothes or blankets.
-Very good answer!
I want to thank you for visiting of today
and for being such good listeners.
I hope you all learned something about fire safety today.
[CHEERING]
Therefore, it is my pleasure as chief of Lake Shore Engine
Company Number to grant you all
the title of junior firefighters.
[GASPS]
BETSY (VOICEOVER): A real fire chief
was giving us special badges and making us junior firefighters.
I don't think anything could be better than this.
-Hey, Betsy!
The firefighters are letting us climb on the fire engines!
-Really?
-Uh-huh.
BETSY (VOICEOVER): Wow!
And now were getting the chance to climb
onto a real fire engine.
[BELL CHIMES]
This had to be the best field trip ever.
Newton, Molly, and Maria took a closer look
at the paramedic van.
It's like a first aid hospital inside a van.
The people who drive it are called
paramedics, and Maria helped out by pretending to be a patient.
Chief Blaze even showed Billy and me
the inside of a really big fire engine.
CHIEF BLAZE: This switch operates the ladder,
and this switch over here turns on the lights.
BILLY: What does this switch do?
BETSY: Billy, don't!
[SIRENS]
CHIEF BLAZE: That switch turns on the siren.
-Oops.
Sorry.
-OK, everyone.
It's about time we headed back to school.
STUDENTS: Aw!
-Yes.
I'm afraid so.
I've had as much fun here today as you have.
Let's all thank Chief Blaze for showing us around today.
STUDENTS: Thank you, Chief Blaze!
-It was my pleasure.
And remember, fire safety begins with you.
-OK, junior firefighters.
Get into a nice straight line and follow
me back to Lake Shore School.
-Hm.
When was the last time you changed
the oil on this old jalopy?
-Changed the oil?
Well, I've been very busy lately and--
-Well, when was your last tuneup?
-Tuneup?
Oh my.
Well, I have to say that it's been, ah--
-Uh-huh.
Well, I'll just make a slight adjustment,
but it may cause a lot of smoke.
-That's fine with me, Bus Driver Bob.
Just as long as it starts.
[ENGINE CHURNING]
[ENGINE CHURNING]
[COUGHING]
-Oh!
BETSY: Mrs. O'Connor, look!
A fire!
A really real fire!
[GASPS]
-Oh no.
What do we do?
-Stay calm, everyone.
-I think I'm going to faint.
-Oh, please!
-We need to call the fire department.
-Look!
The fire alarm!
Quick, get me over to the fire alarm, Billy.
-Whoa!
Take it easy.
Ouch!
Hey, don't cover my eyes.
[ALARM BELL RINGS]
-Let's go!
Let's go!
Let's go!
Pumper number two, get over to Lake Shore School.
Paramedics, you better go in case of any injuries.
Let's go, people!
[SIRENS]
[RADIO CHATTER]
[CHEERING]
[COUGHING]
-Great Scott, is my car on fire?
-No, sir.
Your car engine is just making way too
much smoke. [COUGHS] That's all.
[COUGHS]
-Oh, thank goodness, because I thought I heard a fire engine.
[COUGHING]
-A fire engine? [LAUGHS] Don't be silly.
Oh!
-Oh my.
-Is everything all right over here?
We got a call that there was a fire.
-Fire?
Fire?
There was no fire.
Mrs. O'Connor, who called the fire department?
-It was me, Principal Warner.
But I thought it was a real fire.
Honest.
-We all did, Principal Warner.
-Sounding a false alarm is a very
serious offense, young lady.
-You're absolutely right, Principal Warner.
However, this young lady is a hero.
-She certainly is.
What?
-I am?
-You saw smoke and thought someone was in danger.
There may not have been a fire this time,
but your quick thinking could save
lives and property next time.
So you really did the right thing.
-I'm very proud of you, Betsy.
STUDENTS: We all are!
[LAUGHS]
-Oh, good grief.
[STUDENTS LAUGHING]
NARRATOR: Visit the "Betsy's Kindergarten Adventures"
website and see how Betsy's getting ready for school.
Play games, color pictures, and meet all of Betsy's friends
at PBSkids.org.
BETSY (VOICEOVER): My friends and I love to read.
You can find 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. [LAUGHS]
-Of course, garbage will have to be
taken out by somebody strong.
BILLY: When someone gives you a responsibility,
you should always do your very best.
TEACHER: How about Billy?
-All right!
I get to take out the garbage.
[THEME MUSIC]
-Glub, glub, glub.
CHILDREN: PBS Kids!