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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
Feb 3, 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...
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by Blaine Helwig
Jan 13, 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...
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by Blaine Helwig
Jan 4, 20183 min read
"Work the Problem!"
My wife and I watched the Tom Hanks’ movie, Apollo 13 over the Holiday break. The movie has many memorable scenes of heroism and...
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by Blaine Helwig
Dec 15, 20173 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...
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by Blaine Helwig
Dec 1, 20173 min read
Testing: What ALL is being assessed?
Educators test students throughout the school year. Students are frequently assessed via both formative and summative assessments ranging...
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by Blaine Helwig
Nov 17, 20174 min read
Why is Teaching Children So Difficult?
When I was in my late teens, I worked part-time nights and weekends in a grocery store while attending university. One of my nightly...
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by Blaine Helwig
Oct 28, 20173 min read
Substitute Teacher Needed – Prepare for an Emergency in Advance
As an elementary principal, I would do my best to arrive at school at least 15 to 45 minutes prior to start of the opening school doors...
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by Blaine Helwig
Oct 21, 20173 min read
Pedagogical Reflection – The Good, the Bad and the Ugly
It is one of the primary functions of the campus administration’s job to support classroom teachers in improving core instruction and...
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by Blaine Helwig
Oct 17, 20173 min read
How Long Until I am Good at this Teaching Gig?
New teachers struggle in the classroom. We all did. When I started, I expected to be much better at teaching kids, and I was 32 years old...
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by Blaine Helwig
Oct 13, 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...
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by Blaine Helwig
Oct 6, 20174 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...
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by Blaine Helwig
Oct 2, 20174 min read
Kinesthetic Vocabulary Learning – Language Arts Block
Title 1 elementary students are experiencing difficulty with the most common, high frequency English words, and educators are trying to...
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by Blaine Helwig
Sep 28, 20172 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...
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by Blaine Helwig
Sep 21, 20173 min read
The Guaranteed Gamble – Academic Title 1 Success
In late April of 2014, I was at central office for a meeting when I ran into another Title 1 elementary principal. The STAAR (State of...
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by Blaine Helwig
Sep 14, 20173 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...
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by Blaine Helwig
Sep 8, 20174 min read
Deceptive Educational Belief Systems
Mark Twain once said, “It ain't what you don't know that gets you into trouble. It's what you know for sure that just ain't so.” This...
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by Blaine Helwig
Sep 5, 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...
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by Blaine Helwig
Aug 31, 20172 min read
Manipulatives, Pictorial Representation – then, Paper/Pencil
Generally speaking, arithmetic instructional design and student learning should always follow a structured process: tactile, pictorial...
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by Blaine Helwig
Aug 27, 20173 min read
"Class Do I have Your Attention?"
A more often than not truism in an elementary classroom of children is, ‘if it starts poorly, it usually continues.’ This short phrase...
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by Blaine Helwig
Aug 22, 20173 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...
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by Blaine Helwig
Aug 20, 20173 min read
Professional Reflection – Apprentice to Master Teacher
Time passes quickly. No argument there. I graduated from high school about 35 years ago, and although it does not seem like yesterday,...
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by Blaine Helwig
Aug 16, 20173 min read
Classroom Relationship Building – Bridging the Divide of Trust is Paramount!
If several human beings are involved in a common task and a successful outcome is to follow, positive interactions are of paramount...
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by Blaine Helwig
Aug 14, 20173 min read
Trustful Relationships – A Cornerstone for Campus Success
Over the last couple decades, I have always been amazed at the inability of people to 'read' other people. It is a skill set we learn...
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by Blaine Helwig
Aug 8, 20173 min read
When 15 minutes is Lost, It is Expensive!
A paramount issue in any professional field is identifying key factors that highly influence performance outcomes. In public education,...
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