Blog, New 3Rs, Education Equity, Numeracy, Literacy, Title 1

Problem Solving - Not Learned by Discovery

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...

Is that Number Even or Odd? – Commentary on Math Lesson Planning

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...

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...

Mathematics Vocabulary – A Necessary Addition

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...

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...

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...

Substitute Teacher Needed – Prepare for an Emergency in Advance

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...

Pedagogical Reflection – The Good, the Bad and the Ugly

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...

How Long Until I am Good at this Teaching Gig?

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...

Math Test Stamina Issues – Numeracy to the Rescue!

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...

Kinesthetic Vocabulary Learning – Math and Science Block

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...

Kinesthetic Vocabulary Learning – Language Arts Block

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...

What are the Benefits of Stop-Gap Resources?

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...

The Guaranteed Gamble – Academic Title 1 Success

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...

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...

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...

Beginning Teachers: When and When Not to Use Tactile Math Manipulatives

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...

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...

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...

General Algorithm Power is the Mathematical King

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...

Professional Reflection – Apprentice to Master Teacher

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,...

Classroom Relationship Building – Bridging the Divide of Trust is Paramount!

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...

Trustful Relationships – A Cornerstone for Campus Success

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...

When 15 minutes is Lost, It is Expensive!

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,...

The New 3Rs Academic Transformation

The Right Systems, The Right Resources, The Right People

© 2017-2024 by The New 3Rs Academic Excellence and Transformation