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A storm is coming! The Bushel family of four must cross a one-mile bridge in 60 minutes before it collapses. Only two can cross at a time, and they must carry the one flashlight together. Each family member walks at a different speed:
Sylvie – 5 min
Robbie – 10 min
Mrs. Bushel – 20 min
Mr. Bushel – 25 min
The challenge: How can they all cross in time?
Solution:
Sylvie (5) and Robbie (10) cross → 10 min (total 10)
Sylvie (5) returns → 5 min (total 15)
Mr. (25) and Mrs. (20) cross → 25 min (total 40)
Robbie (10) returns → 10 min (total 50)
Sylvie (5) and Robbie (10) cross → 10 min (total 60)
All four make it across safely in exactly 60 minutes!
Two videos are available:
Teacher’s Guide – Watch before class
A short prep video with instructions and tips for leading the activity.
Classroom video– Play in class
The main video for students helps them solve the math challenges in class.
Play the video for your class and pause at 05:10 when the host asks students to solve the problem.
Invite four volunteers to play the Bushel family (give each a post-it with their crossing time: 5, 10, 20, 25). Hand them a flashlight (or prop) and explain the rules: only two can cross at a time, and they must walk at the slower person’s speed.
Encourage the rest of the class to guide the “family” across by suggesting who should go together and who should return. Write the crossing times on the board so everyone can keep track until they discover the winning solution.
Suitable for students in grades 3–6, this segment can be enjoyed by all ages.
Addition: Combining numbers to find totals.
Mental math: Solving calculations quickly in your head.
Problem-solving & logical thinking: Figuring out strategies to complete the challenge efficiently.
Time management: Planning moves to achieve the goal within a limited timeframe.
In this riddle, you use logical thinking to solve a puzzle—just like in the bridge challenge. The goal is to get a wolf, a goat, and a cabbage across the river safely.
The Challenge
You can only take one item at a time in the boat.
You cannot leave the wolf alone with the goat, or the goat alone with the cabbage.
Solution
Take the goat across first.
Return alone.
Take the wolf across.
Bring the goat back.
Take the cabbage across.
Return alone.
Finally, take the goat across again.
All items are now safely on the other side!
Please take a moment to share your thoughts on the show and the segments you used in class.
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Your Teacher Toolkit — Click the tabs below to get started.
A storm is coming! The Bushel family of four must cross a one-mile bridge in 60 minutes before it collapses. Only two can cross at a time, and they must carry the one flashlight together. Each family member walks at a different speed:
Sylvie – 5 min
Robbie – 10 min
Mrs. Bushel – 20 min
Mr. Bushel – 25 min
The challenge: How can they all cross in time?
Solution:
Sylvie (5) and Robbie (10) cross → 10 min (total 10)
Sylvie (5) returns → 5 min (total 15)
Mr. (25) and Mrs. (20) cross → 25 min (total 40)
Robbie (10) returns → 10 min (total 50)
Sylvie (5) and Robbie (10) cross → 10 min (total 60)
All four make it across safely in exactly 60 minutes!
Two videos are available:
Teacher’s Guide – Watch before class
A short prep video with instructions and tips for leading the activity.
Classroom video– Play in class
The main video for students helps them solve the math challenges in class.
Play the video for your class and pause at 05:10 when the host asks students to solve the problem.
Invite four volunteers to play the Bushel family (give each a post-it with their crossing time: 5, 10, 20, 25). Hand them a flashlight (or prop) and explain the rules: only two can cross at a time, and they must walk at the slower person’s speed.
Encourage the rest of the class to guide the “family” across by suggesting who should go together and who should return. Write the crossing times on the board so everyone can keep track until they discover the winning solution.
