Ep 170: Hexagonal Thinking: A Versatile Strategy for Connecting Concepts Across All Subjects

Join us as high school US history teacher David Atkins shares an innovative and adaptable teaching strategy that's transforming how students make connections across curriculum. In this episode, David introduces hexagonal thinking, a hands-on activity where students arrange hexagon-shaped cards with concepts written on them, explaining the relationships between ideas as they connect.

What makes this strategy so powerful? David explains his two-part framework for selecting classroom activities: engaging students through multiple learning modalities (reading, writing, speaking, listening, critical thinking, and cooperation) while maintaining adaptability across different lessons and standards. Hexagonal thinking checks both boxes beautifully.

Discover how this versatile approach works across disciplines—from connecting scientific concepts in biology to analyzing story elements in English, relating vocabulary in social studies, or matching problems with solutions in math. David walks us through his progressive implementation strategy, starting with familiar pop culture references to teach the mechanics, then gradually increasing complexity as students become comfortable with the process.

You'll learn practical tips for differentiation, including assigning specific group roles to support struggling students and adapting the complexity of connections students are asked to explain. Whether your students work independently, in pairs, or in small groups, this strategy promotes meaningful discussion and deeper understanding of content relationships. David also shares how to incorporate gallery walks for peer feedback, turning hexagonal thinking into a collaborative learning experience that builds both content knowledge and critical thinking skills.

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