Have you ever started getting-to-know-you activity with your new class and they say "We JUST did this in Ms. Johnson's class!" Been there. Hexagonal Thinking is the latest in tactile, active critical thinking - so I thought why not use it as a first day community building activity for back to school?

I've used hexagonal thinking as a learning strategy for a few years now and so I created this relationship-building back-to-school activity to start my year off with a fresh activity that students haven't already done in their other classes.

Students receive a hexagon that is divided into 6 triangles. First, they decorate their hexagon by incorporating unique things about their identity or things they'd like their peers and me to know. Then, we all interact, finding unique ways to connect our hexagons to create a class honeycomb that can stay on your wall all year!

Here’s what you get:

• A graphic organizer with a hexagon for students to decorate, plus tons of ideas to help them brainstorm!
• A detailed step-by-step lesson plan with tons of activities to do with the hexagons once they’re finished!

Students get creative, then work collaboratively and use their critical thinking skills to make connections to other students’ hexagons! This activity builds community and provides a meaningful opportunity for group interaction on the first day of school. Sometimes students can find it hard to put their strengths, interests, goals, life outside of school, and unique qualities into words. This activity allows them to incorporate creative play to help them tell their own story! 

Looking for other great back-to-school and community-building ideas? Check out my other resources here!