Two Get On, One Gets Off
A long rope tied in a loop is the bus and hoops around the playground are the stops; at each stop the driver says how many passengers get on or off, and we all count how many are riding. It builds adding and taking away small amounts with the body.
How to play
- The teacher shows the bus: a rope tied in a loop that we hold from the inside; the teacher is the driver (1 min).
- Children wait spread out at the stops (hoops); the bus starts with 2 passengers and arrives at the first stop (2 min).
- At each stop the driver calls, "Two get on!" or "One gets off!"; those passengers climb in or out and everyone counts how many are riding (5 min).
- A child becomes the driver and decides how many get on or off at the next stop (4 min).
- Last stop: "Everybody off!" and we count backward as they get off, down to zero (3 min).
Rules
- I get on and off only when the driver says so.
- Inside the bus, we walk and hold the rope.
- At the stop, wait your turn to get on.
Variations
Easier
For 3-year-olds, only "one gets on," with just a few passengers and the teacher holding hands.
Standard
For 4-year-olds, one or two get on or off, and we count the passengers.
Harder
For 5-year-olds, before anyone gets off we ask, "If there were five and two get off, how many will be left?" and check.
Adaptations
- Child using a wheelchair: can be the driver or a passenger in a bigger bus with a loose rope.
- Deaf or hard-of-hearing child: the driver shows fingers and signs getting on or off.
- Autistic child: preview with "get on" and "get off" pictures, and let them know which stop is theirs.
Learning goals
- Add and take away small amounts.
- Count the members of a changing group.
- Take turns and move together as a group.
Equipment for a class of 25
- cuerda larga: 1
- aros: 5
Teacher tip
One bus means lots of waiting: with a big class, run two buses with two ropes and an adult in each. The bus always walks, never runs.
PatioLab has "Two Get On, One Gets Off" and 8714 more activities ready to drag into your lesson and run from your phone in the gym.
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