Back-to-School ConnectED Conference 2026: Full Schedule

9:30am EDT

Strengthening Tier 1 with Cooperative Learning and Differentiated Small Group Instruction

Friday July 31, 2026 9:30am - 11:15am EDT

Limited Capacity seats available

Strong Tier 1 instruction requires intentional decision-making about how students engage with information, process their learning, and receive the support or challenge they need to make progress. In this session, participants will explore how to use learning goals and student data to determine when whole-group instruction is the most effective pathway and when differentiated small-group instruction may better support learners at different levels of readiness.
During the first half of the session, we will focus on making whole-group instruction more effective by chunking content, pausing for processing, and leveraging cooperative learning structures to promote meaningful interaction, improve comprehension, and increase retention. In the second half, participants will explore how data can inform decisions about when to transition from whole-group to differentiated small-group instruction and how to design targeted learning experiences that provide the appropriate level of support, practice, enrichment, or extension. We will conclude by exploring how the Station Rotation Model can create consistent opportunities for small-group instruction and discussing the shifts necessary to use small groups effectively for Tier 2 support and enrichment, ensuring those experiences address learner needs rather than simply repeating instruction that was not successful the first time.

Speakers

Catlin Tucker

Education Expert, Best-Selling Author, and International Speaker

Dr. Catlin Tucker is an education expert, bestselling author, and international speaker with 24 years of experience in education. Named Sonoma County Teacher of the Year in 2010, she earned a Master’s in Education from the University of California, Santa Barbara, and a doctorate... Read More →

Friday July 31, 2026 9:30am - 11:15am EDT
Library

Secondary (MS/HS)