Monkey Madness Reflection

Belle and Esha were the first to come up with the answer. The least number of coconuts the sailors could have collected was 79.

Belle got it first and then Esha did before Belle was finished showing me how she got 79.


Dallas, Serena and Nick all got "A's" because of their involvement in playing out the possible scenarios.

Remember, the success comes from the struggle. "A+" for the struggle. EVERYONE was involved and engaged. As a result you were also GROWING as you CREATED new thought cells in your heads. You literally GREW SMARTER today, to the degree you were able to stay focused and hang with the problem.

Although this was a college-level math problem, it didn't mean you weren't capable of solving it. Even if you didn't come up with the right answer, you succeeded by holding on to the "weight" of the problem, where before almost all would have put it down.

I simply acted as a mental strength coach, listening to and observing you, diagnosing your levels of comprehension like a math medical doctor.

You are the ones who allowed me to do this by your self-motivation and drive. Thank you!


I'm extremely proud of your efforts. And to show you just how much, I'm turning loose the mad monkey in a school with 1,000 lockers. Will you be able to tell me which ones will be opened and which will be closed when he's done? Look for "The Mad Monkey Sneaks into Southwest Middle School!".

***Before you move on to the next challenge, think about your experience with the coconut problem. How did you feel and what did you learn that you can bring into solving the next problem?

SLIDE SHOW - THE DAY