What is a Hexagon?

Using their binoculars, Nico and Nia spot a beehive across the way. "Nia, do you notice that the beehive is made up of the same tiny shape over and over again?" "You're right, Nico, I think that shape is called a hexagon." "I wonder if our house has any of those shapes too?!" As Nico and Nia look through through the attic, let's help them by learning all about, "Hexagons!" Hexagons are a special type of six-sided shape. In fact, the hexa part of the word, hexagon, means six. In order for a shape to be called a hexagon, a few things must be true: It must have six straight sides and six corners, or vertices, be fully closed and be two-dimensional, or flat. These are all called defining attributes, which means they are characteristics that can never change. However, some characteristics of hexagons can change. These characteristics are called non-defining attributes. They are things like color, size, and direction. Nico and Nia have spotted something. Is this a hexagon? Let's use this checklist to see if they've found one. We'll need to determine if the spider web has all of the defining attributes by checking off this list! It has six straight sides. It has six corners, or vertices. It's closed and it's two dimensional. This spider web is a hexagon because it has all the defining attributes. Take a look at the next shape Nico and Nia found on this quilt. Does it have all of the defining attributes? No, this heart does not have six straight sides nor does it have six corners, or vertices. It does not meet all the defining attributes for a hexagon. We can stop checking the list because it doesn't meet all the requirements, so it is not a hexagon. Let's look at this shape now. It has six straight sides and six corners, or vertices. It is closed and two dimensional. The lightning bolt sticker is a hexagon because it has all the defining attributes! Now, try this one on your own. Use the checklist to see if the road cone meets all the defining attributes. Is this a hexagon? This road cone is not a hexagon. It does not have six straight sides nor does it have six corners. It is open at the bottom and is three dimensional. Hexagons must be closed and two dimensional. While Nico and Nia continue to look through the attic, let's review. Today we learned about hexagons. In order for a shape to be called a hexagon, it must have all these defining attributes: six straight sides, six corners or vertices, be fully closed and be two-dimensional. However, the size, color and direction of a hexagon can change. "Oh boy, what are these two up to today??" "Well it certainly doesn't look like they are bee-hiving."