American Classical League Institute 2024

Students find deep reflection difficult without engaging interaction and purpose. As teachers, it can be difficult to help while still giving autonomy. Hexagonal thinking is a tool that gives students freedom and flexibility while still fostering reflection. Developed by curriculum designer Betsy Potash, hexagonal thinking is an activity that gets learners thinking critically, making novel connections, and providing evidence to support their reasoning—by visually connecting a series of ideas written on paper or digital hexagons around a theme.  This workshop presents ideas for using hexagonal thinking in the Latin classroom as a powerful way to help students make connections between language and culture, create stories in the target language, or review grammar topics.  Participants will engage in activities using this tool to get an idea of its range of applications, then have time to ask questions and brainstorm other uses.  Finally, participants will create hexagonal activities tailored to their curricula.