Here are some key elements of the rising action:
* The school's initial problems: The book opens with the school already built in an unusual way, with 30 stories, and the students and teachers are already facing the consequences of this unusual structure. The school's structural flaws, such as the endless hallways and the constant threat of falling, are a constant source of tension.
* The appearance of Mrs. Jewls: Mrs. Jewls, a new teacher with a mysterious past, arrives at Wayside School and immediately begins to disrupt the established order. Her chaotic teaching style, strange behaviors, and unusual obsession with number 3 create a sense of foreboding.
* The escalating chaos: As the story progresses, the strange events at Wayside School become more frequent and more severe. The school begins to tilt, floors start to disappear, and students disappear into the "bottomless pit." The constant threat of danger and the unknown creates a sense of rising panic.
* The discovery of the truth: While not a dramatic plot point, the students gradually start to understand the truth about Wayside School, its construction, and the reason for its strange happenings. This knowledge adds to the tension, as they realize that the school is not just a crazy place, but a dangerous one.
In essence, the rising action in "Wayside School Falling Down" is a slow burn. It's not about a single dramatic event, but the gradual accumulation of strange events, bizarre characters, and the constant threat of falling that build towards the climax of the school's eventual collapse.