Uploaded May 2026 | Updated September 2026, 1 week ago
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: edutopia.org/package/how-learning-happens-instructional-shifts
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© 2026 George Lucas Educational Foundation
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: 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: edut.to/3wEVHUh
*Follow us here:*
Official Website: https://edutopia.org
YouTube: youtube.com/c/edutopia
Facebook: facebook.com/edutopia
Instagram: instagram.com/edutopia
BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/edutopia.org
#brainbasedlearning #teachingstrategies #howlearninghappens #learningscience
© 2026 George Lucas Educational Foundation
