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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...
by Blaine Helwig
Dec 17, 20195 min read


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...
by Blaine Helwig
Dec 16, 20197 min read


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...
by Blaine Helwig
Oct 7, 20193 min read


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...
by Blaine Helwig
Oct 25, 20183 min read


“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...
by Blaine Helwig
Aug 2, 20184 min read


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...
by Blaine Helwig
Apr 27, 20183 min read


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...
by Blaine Helwig
Feb 9, 20183 min read


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...
by Blaine Helwig
Feb 3, 20183 min read


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...
by Blaine Helwig
Jan 13, 20183 min read


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...
by Blaine Helwig
Dec 15, 20173 min read


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...
by Blaine Helwig
Oct 13, 20173 min read


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...
by Blaine Helwig
Oct 6, 20174 min read


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...
by Blaine Helwig
Sep 28, 20172 min read


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...
by Blaine Helwig
Sep 14, 20173 min read


Beginning Teachers: When and When Not to Use Tactile Math Manipulatives
As discussed in an earlier blog, “Manipulatives, Pictorial Representation – then, Paper/Pencil,” arithmetic instructional design and...
by Blaine Helwig
Sep 5, 20173 min read


Manipulatives, Pictorial Representation – then, Paper/Pencil
Generally speaking, arithmetic instructional design and student learning should always follow a structured process: tactile, pictorial...
by Blaine Helwig
Aug 31, 20172 min read


General Algorithm Power is the Mathematical King
Students must memorize certain basic mathematics information. It cannot be avoided. But, elementary teachers must understand what kids...
by Blaine Helwig
Aug 22, 20173 min read


Subtraction Facts – Elementary Students’ Math Fact Nemesis
God created the Earth in six days and rested on the seventh. While God was resting, the devil created subtraction facts. And, to most...
by Blaine Helwig
Jul 31, 20172 min read


Repetition and Practice – Necessary to Student Learning and Mastery
For all practice purposes, repetition is practice and vice versa; they are synonyms. Mastery of any subject or task requires that we...
by Blaine Helwig
Jul 25, 20173 min read


Decimal Place Value and Value – Use the Point
A frustrating math moment I remember as a ten year old is decimal numbers and understanding both place value and value of the digits...
by Blaine Helwig
Jul 18, 20173 min read
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