Mastering Small Group Instruction and Teacher Mindset
Are you a teacher striving to make small group instruction more effective, manageable, and meaningful? Do you sometimes feel overwhelmed by administrative expectations or the emotional demands of teaching? If so, you’re not alone—and you’re in the right place.
In a standout episode of The Flip Side podcast, co-hosts Hope & Wade King sit down with Amelia Capotosta, a seasoned educator and Get Your Teach On content team member, to answer real questions from teachers. Recorded live at a Get Your Teach On mini conference in California, this episode is packed with actionable strategies, expert insights, and heartfelt encouragement for educators at every stage.
Let’s break down the main themes and tips from the episode, diving deep into the nuances of small group instruction, balancing administrative demands, and sustaining a positive, intentional teacher mindset.
Redefining Small Group Instruction: It’s for Every Grade
Key Insight:
Amelia Capotosta debunks the myth that small group instruction is only for early elementary grades. She’s taught and coached from pre-K through eighth grade, and her message is clear: small groups are powerful at every level.
Actionable Advice:
Adapt small group strategies for older students by focusing on higher-order skills, project-based learning, or targeted interventions.
Don’t limit small groups to reading or math— use them for science, social studies, or even social-emotional learning.
Leverage small groups for differentiation: Advanced students can dive deeper, while those needing support get targeted help.
Expert Tip:
Small groups are about connection and responsiveness, not just remediation. Use them to build relationships and foster student agency, no matter the grade.
Quality Over Quantity: Prioritizing Small Groups
Key Insight:
Teachers often feel pressure to “see every group every day.” Amelia’s advice? Let go of the guilt and focus on quality over quantity.
Actionable Steps:
Aim for two groups per day:
One group is scheduled and consistent (e.g., your highest-need students).
The other is flexible, based on recent data or emerging needs.
Be strategic:
Prioritize groups where your impact will be greatest, rather than spreading yourself too thin.
Track your groups:
Use a simple binder or digital tool to note which students you’ve seen and what you worked on.
Nuanced Insight:
It’s okay if you don’t see every student every day. What matters is that your small group time is intentional, targeted, and responsive to student needs.
Flexible Timing: Ditch the Clock, Focus on Needs
Key Insight:
Small group sessions don’t need to be rigidly timed or equal in length. Flexibility is your friend.
Actionable Strategies:
Vary session lengths based on the skill and group:
5 minutes for a quick phonics check-in.
15 minutes for a deep dive into fluency or comprehension.
10 minutes for targeted math problem-solving.
Narrow your focus:
Address one or two specific skills per session, rather than trying to cover everything.
Be responsive:
If a group is “in the zone,” let them go a bit longer. If they’re struggling, it’s okay to wrap up and revisit later.
Expert Advice:
Don’t be a slave to the clock. The goal is meaningful progress, not perfectly balanced time slots.
Navigating Administrative Expectations with Confidence
Key Insight:
Administrators often want to see every student in small groups, every week. This can feel overwhelming—but Amelia offers practical ways to meet these expectations without sacrificing your sanity or instructional quality.
Actionable Approaches:
Use data to inform your groupings:
Show administrators your rationale for who you see, when, and why.
Enrichment for advanced students:
Pull high-achievers for brief, meaningful enrichment, then let them work independently. This frees you to focus on students who need more support.
Document your process:
Keep clear records of group meetings, skills addressed, and student progress. This builds trust and transparency.
Communicate proactively**: When discussing your approach with administrators, come prepared with evidence and solutions, not just problems.
Nuanced Insight:
Sometimes you have to “tick the boxes,” but you can do so in a way that still honors your professional judgment and your students’ needs.
Intentional Mindset: Protecting Your Peace as a Teacher
Key Insight:
Teaching is emotionally demanding. Amelia emphasizes the importance of protecting your mental and emotional well-being.
Actionable Self-Care Tips:
Set boundaries:
If the teacher’s lounge is a negative space, it’s okay to avoid it. Find or create spaces that recharge you.
Choose your circle wisely:
Surround yourself with colleagues who uplift and inspire you, not those who drain your energy.
Communicate your needs:
It’s okay to signal when you need space or positivity.
Manage your response:
If you can’t avoid negativity, have a plan for how you’ll process and move past it.
Expert Advice:
Protecting your peace isn’t selfish; it’s essential for sustaining your passion and effectiveness as a teacher.
The Transformative Power of Small Groups: A Real Story
Key Insight:
Amelia shares a moving story about a fourth-grade student who couldn’t write her name. Through intentional small group instruction, the student made remarkable progress, changing the trajectory of her life.
Actionable Takeaways:
Use small groups to identify and address foundational gaps that whole-group instruction might miss.
Celebrate small wins: Progress, not perfection, is the goal.
Remember your impact: Even brief, focused time with a student can be life-changing.
Nuanced Insight:
Small group instruction isn’t just about academics, it’s about giving every child the chance to be seen, heard, and supported.
Sustaining Joy and Purpose in Teaching
Key Insight:
Teaching is hard, and the joy can ebb and flow. Amelia and the hosts encourage teachers to reconnect with their “why” and intentionally create moments of happiness.
Actionable Strategies:
Plan one special activity each month that you and your students can look forward to.
Reflect on your purpose:
Remind yourself why you chose teaching, especially on tough days.
Allow yourself grace:
It’s normal for joy to fade sometimes. Trust that it will return and if it doesn’t, it’s okay to consider a change.
Expert Advice:
Your enthusiasm is contagious. When you find joy, your students will, too.
Building Your Support System
Key Insight:
Connection is essential. If you don’t have supportive colleagues at your school, seek community online or elsewhere.
Actionable Steps:
Join online teacher communities (like Get Your Teach On or Facebook groups).
Find a mentor or accountability partner to share ideas and encouragement.
Be proactive in building relationships, don’t wait for support to come to you.
Nuanced Insight:
You don’t have to do this alone. Find your people, wherever they are.
Final Encouragement: Teaching with Intention and Heart
Amelia’s approach to teaching is a powerful reminder: You don’t have to be loud or flashy to be effective. What matters is being intentional, thoughtful, and true to your purpose.
As you head into your next week of teaching, remember:
Focus on meaningful progress, not perfection.
Protect your peace and set boundaries.
Celebrate the small wins and the big transformations.
Find your community and lean on them.
Most importantly, never lose sight of the joy and purpose that brought you to this profession.
You are making a difference—one small group, one student, one day at a time!
