Supporting Learners With Small Group Instruction

During short, purposeful sessions with a handful of students, teachers can address misconceptions—and help build stronger, more accurate understanding. It can be difficult to know exactly what students understand in the moment, especially in a whole-class setting. A correct answer doesn’t always reveal how a student got there—and an incorrect answer doesn’t necessarily demonstrate where their thinking may be breaking down. At Cedaredge Elementary School in Delta, Colorado, third-grade teacher Elisa Galvan builds small-group instruction time into her schedule to take a closer look and get a clearer picture of what her students are thinking. This video is part of our How Learning Happens: Instructional Shifts series, which explores teaching practices grounded in the science of learning: https://www.edutopia.org/package/how-... Join the Edutopia community today to get articles, videos, and more delivered via email every Wednesday—all tailored to you and your unique role: https://edut.to/3wEVHUh Follow us here: Official Website: https://edutopia.org  YouTube:    / edutopia   Facebook:   / edutopia   Instagram:   / edutopia   BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/edutopia.org #brainbasedlearning #teachingstrategies #howlearninghappens #learningscience © 2026 George Lucas Educational Foundation