Learning about shapes is an important part of any elementary school education. In mathematics, shapes are the building blocks for more complex concepts. One of the most important shapes that students must learn is the six-sided shape. This shape is called a hexagon, and learning about it can help students develop strong spatial reasoning skills, as well as a better understanding of geometry.
The first step in teaching students about hexagons is to introduce them to the shape itself. Show them a picture of a hexagon and ask them what they notice. Point out that it has six sides that are all the same length and six angles that are also the same. Explain that hexagons are found in many different contexts, including bee hives, snowflakes, and some sports balls.
Next, it’s important to help students understand the properties of hexagons. Hexagons are unique in that, unlike squares or triangles, they are not symmetrical. This means that they cannot be divided in half and still look the same on both sides. Instead, hexagons have rotational symmetry, meaning that they look the same when they are rotated a certain number of degrees.
To teach students about rotational symmetry, have them draw a hexagon on a piece of paper and then rotate it 60 degrees. Ask them if the hexagon looks the same as it did before. Repeat this process six times, rotating the hexagon 60 degrees each time. By the end, students should recognize that the hexagon looks the same no matter how many times it’s rotated.
Another important property of hexagons is that they have two types of diagonals: short diagonals and long diagonals. Short diagonals connect opposite vertices that are next to each other, while long diagonals connect opposite vertices that are not next to each other. Have students practice identifying these two types of diagonals by drawing hexagons and labeling the diagonals with “short” or “long.”
One fun way to reinforce learning about hexagons is to have students create hexagon art projects. Provide materials such as construction paper, scissors, and glue, and challenge students to create a piece of art that prominently features hexagons. Encourage them to use their creativity and to experiment with different colors and patterns.
