M&Ms School Bus Math (with modifications)

When I think about "back to school" time, school buses are definitely something that come to mind. This activity includes school buses and M&Ms (which aren't necessarily school-ish, but they are yummy! You can substitute anything you want for the candy, be it gummy bears or a different favorite candy or even pieces of cracker, ham... you name it, go ahead and use it! As always it will be easiest for you to follow along with my modifications if you check out the activity for yourself first. Here's the link: M&M School Bus Math.

MODIFICATIONS: When I have played games with kiddos involving food, it has always helped to set very clear boundaries as to which food will be eaten and when. Before you even start the activity with your child, make sure to do this. Otherwise, especially with a type of treat that your child really enjoys, she will spend her time wondering when she gets to eat as opposed to focusing on the task at hand. For this activity, modeling (doing the activity yourself, as an example) a turn or two might help to make the whole thing much more clear. Go ahead and roll the die and count the dots. Write the number that you have counted to in the front window of the school bus. Point at the written number and say its name out loud. Now go ahead and then take the treats, one at a time, and place them on the windows of the school bus. When you've done that, "check" your work with your little one, counting each of the treats while touching them as your go, one at a time. Did you get it right? Hooray! Now eat them up and get ready to start all over again!