Atomic Habits – Repetition, Mastery, Pedagogy
After years of visiting Title 1 elementary charters and traditional public schools, I am constantly amazed at the minimal number of...
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The New 3Rs Academic Transformation
The Right Systems, The Right Resources, The Right People
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by Blaine Helwig
- Aug 20
- 21 min
Solving the Mystery of Poor Student Math Performance
NOPE! The usual suspects of endless blame are not the reason poor academic math results in American public schools. In fact, a...
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by Blaine Helwig
- Jun 30
- 4 min
Chocolate and Title 1 Academic Inequities
Awhile back, I attended a national charter school founder’s lecture about his experiences opening new schools across the country. After...
37 views0 comments
by Blaine Helwig
- Feb 7, 2021
- 5 min
Teaching to the Test - A Better Understanding of the Phrase
I have heard the expression – Teaching to the Test – for many years, but I had not deeply considered the thinking behind the phrase until...
242 views2 comments
by Blaine Helwig
- Sep 16, 2020
- 5 min
Trickle-Down Teacher Training Versus Bubble-Up Gap Elimination
The macroeconomic theory of trickle-down corporate tax cuts has been a mainstay for conservative politicians and economists for nearly a...
128 views0 comments
by Blaine Helwig
- Jul 8, 2020
- 3 min
Word Problems: Student Benefits and Effective Teaching Tips
The daily teaching of math word problems is essential if students are to become adept problem solvers. The consistency of a daily routine...
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by Blaine Helwig
- Dec 17, 2019
- 5 min
It’s the Gaps, Stupid! – Part 1
The famous American political phrase, “It’s the economy, stupid” is attributed to James Carville and coined during Bill Clinton's...
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by Blaine Helwig
- Dec 16, 2019
- 7 min
It’s the Gaps, Stupid! – Part 2
Small Gaps Widen to Larger Chasms While hiking the 500-mile-long El Camino in Spain a couple of summers ago, a small pain ensued on the...
71 views0 comments
by Blaine Helwig
- Oct 7, 2019
- 3 min
Pick a Number. Any Number. Now - Why is that Number Important?
I am thinking of a two digit number between 30 and 40 that is both an even number and a multiple of 8. Can you guess the number? As...
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by Blaine Helwig
- Oct 25, 2018
- 3 min
Bridge Resources and Their Academic Need
About 15 years ago, I attended weekly central administrator meetings as an elementary program supervisor in a large urban Texas school...
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by Blaine Helwig
- Aug 2, 2018
- 4 min
“Drill and Kill” – Analyzed
Earlier this summer I was talking to a seasoned elementary teacher that is a standout educator and asset to the profession. She mentioned...
1,568 views0 comments
by Blaine Helwig
- Apr 27, 2018
- 3 min
The Numeracy Power of Making 10, 100 or 1,000
We live in a Base 10 world. Base 10 is everywhere! Of course, a math person may counter with clock time – hours and minutes. Time is kept...
39 views0 comments
by Blaine Helwig
- Feb 9, 2018
- 3 min
Math Word Problems, Skills and Practice: In this Case, it takes Three to Tango!
Math word problems were difficult for me when I was a kid. At the end of thirty or so skill base computation problems on the exercise...
29 views0 comments
by Blaine Helwig
- Feb 3, 2018
- 3 min
Problem Solving - Not Learned by Discovery
Many State education agencies annual standardized math tests stress word problems in lieu of pure computation problems as they did 30...
49 views0 comments
by Blaine Helwig
- Jan 13, 2018
- 3 min
Is that Number Even or Odd? – Commentary on Math Lesson Planning
Let’s teach/plan an elementary lesson on even and odd numbers – first step, compile the basic information on that topic: The even numbers...
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by Blaine Helwig
- Dec 15, 2017
- 3 min
Mathematics Vocabulary – A Necessary Addition
Kenton Weeks, a South Dakota rancher and farmer, opened the door of his truck. He and his dog got out of the cab and walked into his...
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by Blaine Helwig
- Oct 13, 2017
- 3 min
Math Test Stamina Issues? – Numeracy to the Rescue!
“My fifth graders can’t do 35 to 40 word problems in 4 hours! How can the State Education Agency expect any 10 year old to finish a math...
115 views0 comments
by Blaine Helwig
- Oct 6, 2017
- 4 min
Kinesthetic Vocabulary Learning – Math and Science Block
Prior to reading this short blog, it is recommended the educator read the October 2nd posted blog entitled: Kinesthetic Vocabulary...
122 views0 comments
by Blaine Helwig
- Sep 28, 2017
- 2 min
What are the Benefits of Stop-Gap Resources?
I am of the belief that Title 1 academic education reformation involving high percentages of students classified as economically...
21 views0 comments
by Blaine Helwig
- Sep 14, 2017
- 3 min
What Are "Stop-Gap Resources?"
‘Stop-Gap Resources’ are a moniker that I believe accurately describes their function when used in Title 1 schools or with students...
118 views0 comments