Activating Prior Knowledge With Hexagonal Thinking

Edutopia · Beginner ·🍎 Teaching & Learning Design ·7mo ago

About this lesson

By creating a visual web of knowledge, students can demonstrate what connections they have already made about a topic, and where they might need additional clarification and support. At Monocacy Middle School in Frederick, Maryland, students in Allison Marsh’s 8th grade English language arts class are preparing to analyze informational articles about technology and social media. In order to help her students be successful in the task, Marsh first wants them to connect their prior knowledge to new content so they can properly engage with the big essential question of the unit: “How do the challenges you face today shape your future?” Our How Learning Happens video series explores teaching practices grounded in the science of learning. To see more, visit https://www.edutopia.org/package/how-learning-happens-instructional-shifts Join the Edutopia community today to get articles, videos, and more delivered via email every Wednesday—all tailored to you and your unique role: https://edut.to/3wEVHUh *Follow us here:* Official Website: https://edutopia.org YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/edutopia Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/edutopia Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/edutopia BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/edutopia.org #criticalthinking #brainbasedlearning #communicationskills © 2025 George Lucas Educational Foundation

Original Description

By creating a visual web of knowledge, students can demonstrate what connections they have already made about a topic, and where they might need additional clarification and support. At Monocacy Middle School in Frederick, Maryland, students in Allison Marsh’s 8th grade English language arts class are preparing to analyze informational articles about technology and social media. In order to help her students be successful in the task, Marsh first wants them to connect their prior knowledge to new content so they can properly engage with the big essential question of the unit: “How do the challenges you face today shape your future?” Our How Learning Happens video series explores teaching practices grounded in the science of learning. To see more, visit https://www.edutopia.org/package/how-learning-happens-instructional-shifts Join the Edutopia community today to get articles, videos, and more delivered via email every Wednesday—all tailored to you and your unique role: https://edut.to/3wEVHUh *Follow us here:* Official Website: https://edutopia.org YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/edutopia Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/edutopia Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/edutopia BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/edutopia.org #criticalthinking #brainbasedlearning #communicationskills © 2025 George Lucas Educational Foundation

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