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-learning-happens-instructional-shifts 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: https://www.youtube.com/c/edutopia Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/edutopia Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/edutopia BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/edutopia.org #brainbasedlearning #teachingstrategies #howlearninghappens #learningscience © 2026 George Lucas Educational Foundation