This Issue:

Table of Contents

Cover Story

Cover Story - Spanish Version

Mini-Lesson

Comprehension Quiz

Teacher's Guide and Worksheets

Magical Mystery Tour

Don't be surprised if you look out your classroom window one day and see a big, sky-blue bus painted with fluffy white clouds. It is the John Lennon Educational Tour Bus, and it travels to U.S. schools so students can climb aboard and make music.

John Lennon was a member of the Beatles. He died in 1980. To honor his memory, his widow, Yoko Ono, and musician Brian Rothschild created this traveling recording studio for kids. A new book, Come Together: The Official John Lennon Educational Tour Bus Guide to Music and Video, marks the bus's 10th anniversary.

Every year, about 250,000 kids climb aboard. Just past the driver's seat are walls of the latest equipment, donated by computer, audio and video companies.

Next is a tiny space where three engineers live. They work with visiting kids. At the back are digital recording equipment, a big drum set, guitars, keyboards and more.

Kids are selected by school staff members to spend a day on the bus. In the morning, they write and record a song together. The engineers make sure the kids get to try singing, playing guitar, whatever they want. Later, the group shoots a video. Everyone gets a copy of the DVD.

Famous musicians join the fun. Last fall, the bus toured with the Black Eyed Peas. Fergie, will.i.am and other members came almost every day. As Ono said, "It's a magical place."

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