Eighth Grade ELA Teachers Implement Hexagonal Learning To Deepen Classroom Discussions and Understanding
Lansing Middle School teachers Mrs. Carney-Linn and Mrs. Peters took a new approach to engaging students and making connections with text by using hexagonal learning on February 28th. Previously this school year, students read three short stories involving peer pressure and the power of herd behavior - Cheboygan Day, Man in the Well, and The Lottery.
To implement the lesson, Mrs. Carney-Linn and Mrs. Peters wrote key concepts and vocab related to the three short stories on paper hexagons and cut-out arrows. The hexagon shape allows students to connect up to six ideas. Students were broken out into groups and asked to connect the stories and concepts using the hexagons. The lesson encouraged collaboration and cooperative learning skills involving reading, vocabulary, writing, and grammar.