Teaching: Small Group Discussions

Each day Kelsi’s class begins with a simple yet impactful check-in that sets the tone for the day’s learning. Students break into small groups of 3-4 for about 10 minutes to discuss their thoughts, questions, or insights from the reading. One student records a brief summary, which is collected, helping Kelsi keep track of class attendance. After these small-group discussions, the class shifts to a whole-class dialogue where students share ideas from their groups, enriching everyone’s understanding and creating a shared learning experience. This also helps Kelsi gain valuable insights into what her students are getting from the material.

The teaching strategy is effective for many reasons:

• Promotes Accountability: Encourages students to come prepared, having read and reflected on the material.
• Enhances Engagement: Students get comfortable in a small group, which increases confidence for broader class discussions.
• Fosters Connection: Regular interaction in small groups builds peer relationships and creates a community of learners.
• Provides Structure: By starting each class with this routine, students have a clear structure that helps them shift into an academic mindset.
• Utilizes Class Time Efficiently: The initial check-in sets a productive tone for the entire class period.

Kelsi’s approach uses best practices in active learning with this consistent framework. I’m really enjoying the class.