Activity
Hexagonal Thinking
Hexagonal Thinking
Activity Overview
Students arrange hexagon-shaped cards containing concepts, quotes, or ideas to show connections, explaining why touching hexagons relate to each other.
Grade Levels
Subject Areas
Activity Types
Detailed Example
Analyzing Themes in Literature (English - 9th Grade)
Materials Needed
- Pre-made hexagon cards (15-20 per group)
- Large paper or workspace
- Markers for drawing connection lines
- Blank hexagons for adding ideas
Preparation
Create hexagon cards with key concepts, character names, quotes, symbols, and themes from the text. Include some that connect obviously and some that require deeper thinking. Cut hexagons from cardstock.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Distribute hexagon sets to groups of 3-4 students. Each hexagon has a concept related to 'To Kill a Mockingbird.'
Explain: 'Hexagons that touch must be connected. You must be able to explain the connection.'
Start with one hexagon in the center (e.g., 'Innocence').
Take turns adding hexagons. When you place one, explain the connection to its neighbors.
Example: 'I'm placing Scout next to Innocence because she represents childhood innocence that gets challenged.'
All connections must be justified. Group can challenge weak connections.
Continue until all hexagons are placed or group decides some don't fit.
Use blank hexagons to add concepts the group thinks are missing.
When complete, trace the most important connections with marker and write brief explanations.
Gallery walk: Groups explain their arrangements to visitors.
Differentiation Strategies
Pre-connect some hexagons for struggling groups. Include definition hints on back of cards for ELLs. Challenge advanced students by including hexagons from other texts to find cross-textual connections.
Assessment Guidelines
Photograph final arrangements. Evaluate explanation quality for connections. Look for non-obvious connections that show deep thinking. Compare different groups' arrangements.