About MathLine

Why MathLine is a Success

MathLine is the first supplemental math tool with one-to-one correspondence between the concrete object and the abstract symbol.

MathLine is an alternative strategy in the classroom that clearly models over 50 elementary math concepts and standards.

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Where MathLine is Used

MathLine’s simple design allows it to be used by ALL students. MathLine Concept-Building System is successfully implemented in:

• Regular Education/Mainstream Curriculum
  
• Special Education Programs, IEPs
  
• Remedial Programs
  
• Bilingual Education Programs
  
• Compensatory Education Programs
  
• Alternative Education Programs
  
• Intervention Programs
  
• Home-schooling
  
• Tutoring Services

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Advantages of MathLine with Respect to Other Tools

• One Supplemental Tool - MathLine is one supplemental tool that can be used for over 50 elementary math concepts. Many tools and manipulatives are quite limited in their application, but MathLine is utilized year-round so educators make the most of their money.
  
• All Students Use the Same Tools - Whether MathLine is implemented in the elementary mainstream classrooms, Special Education programs, or any other education program, students will use similar style tools, all with the same multiple benefits.
  
• Multi-Sensory - MathLine incorporates all modes of learning -- audio, visual, tactile, and kinesthetic -- which means every child can learn on MathLine.
  
• Self-Contained - MathLine is a self-contained tool, so students keep their learning organized. Pieces can’t be dropped on the floor, and students won’t lose track of what object they are counting.

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Why MathLine Will Save You Money

• Eliminate Remedial Costs - MathLine assists remedial students so effectively that they no longer require special costly remedial assistance.
  
• More Time to Teach - MathLine requires minimal preparation time, which translates into increased teaching time.
  
• No Replacement Parts - Since MathLine is a self-contained tool, pieces cannot be lost and therefore there is no need to replace parts.
  
• All-Inclusive Tool - MathLine takes the place of many other costly and limited supplemental materials because MathLine is used to teach so many different math lessons.

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History of MathLine

It began in 1990. Howard and Brita Ylitalo were foster parents of 1st-grader Andrew who was struggling to learn. Complicating his learning, Andrew was also diagnosed with ADHD, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Brita worked with Andrew every day after school trying to help him catch up on math and reading.

As they worked on math, Brita tried traditional "manipulatives" (dried beans, straws, popsicle sticks) to help Andrew understand basic addition and subtraction. They both became frustrated because Andrew lost count of these objects, and he would forget whether he was adding or subtracting.

Howard then worked with Andrew and after a very short time he could see the problem: It wasn’t Andrew, but the tools he was using to learn math. Howard recognized that Andrew needed something that he could count, but would stay organized. Howard also could see that Andrew was not connecting the concrete object with the abstract symbol it is associated to. He then went to his workshop and built MathLine! It worked effectively for Andrew, and his progress was reflected in his schoolwork.

Andrew’s teachers at his elementary school instantly loved MathLine as well. For the next two years Howard and Brita set out to prove MathLine could be a help to others who struggled like Andrew. After research, development, patenting, and much work, they dubbed the product MathMate and took it to market.

It attracted crowds at the educational conferences and teachers began to order MathMate for their classrooms. It wasn’t long before the Ylitalos heard reports that this math tool was making a real difference for kids. Soon teachers began to make helpful suggestions for new applications as well as designs.

Then in 1993 the Ylitalos formed their company and named it Howbrite Solutions after their first two names, Howard and Brita. The name of the product also changed at this time from MathMate to MathLine because of a name conflict with another product.

For the next couple of years, Brita and a few others sold MathLine in the Midwest region quite successfully. In 1995 Brita made a push to get the MathLine into the national market. She traveled to conferences all over the U.S. to share the news about a math tool that made a real difference in kids' learning. The sales started to pick up and the success stories piled up.

Howard, Brita, and the entire Howbrite Solutions team would like you to realize the same success that hundreds of thousands of students across the country have enjoyed in learning math on MathLine.

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