Mayans, Incas, and Aztec Cultures
The Maya, the Inca, and the Aztec
California Content Standards
7.7 Students compare and contrast the geographic, political, economic, religious, and social structures of the Meso-American and Andean civilizations.
1. Study the locations, landforms, and climates of Mexico, Central America, and South America and their effects on Mayan, Aztec, and Incan economies, trade, and development of urban societies.
2. Study the roles of people in each society, including class structures, family life, warfare, religious beliefs and practices, and slavery.
3. Explain how and where each empire arose and how the Aztec and Incan empires were defeated by the Spanish.
4. Describe the artistic and oral traditions and architecture in the three civilizations.
5. Describe the Meso-American achievements in astronomy and mathematics, including the development of the calendar and the Meso-American knowledge of seasonal changes to the civilizations’ agricultural systems.
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PowerPoint Presentations
Chichen Itza.ppt *note the Cenote pics for Science
Maya Ppt * note cenote formation
Internet Websites and Resources
Ancient Mesoamerican Civilizations Ancient Mexico
The Amazing Travel Bureau Maya Archeology
Mayankids.com Lost King of the Mayas
Cross-Curricular Activities
Solving Dissolving Experiment ( Science, rocks, acid)
Mayan Weaving Video Back Strap Weaving Activity
Teacher Materials
Books
Mayans, Aztecs and Incas Thematic Unit
Mayas * Aztecs * Incas: All-in-One Resource With Background Information, Map Activities, Simulations and Games, and a Read-Aloud Play to SupportCompr Maya Designs (Coloring Book) Aztec Designs Coloring Book (Dover Coloring Book) Technology in the Time of the Maya
Angela Weaves a Dream: The Story of a Young Maya Artist
Miro in the Kingdom of the Sun
Literature
Eye Of The Forest (Children Of The Lamp)
You Wouldn't Want to Be an Inca Mummy!: A One-Way Journey You'd Rather Not Make (You Wouldn't Want to...)
You Wouldn't Want to Be an Aztec Sacrifice! (You Wouldn't Want To¿)
Rain Player
The Corn Grows Ripe (Puffin Newbery Library)
Secret of the Andes (Puffin Book)
Mario's Mayan Journey
The Sad Night: The Story of an Aztec Victory and a Spanish Loss
Videos
- Conquest of the Americas (Discovery) COA Lesson Plan
- http://www.atlantis-webportfolios.com/world/ancientamerica.html Click on videos on one webpage
- In Search of History: Lost City Of The Incas (A&E)
- Ancient Mysteries: Lost Mummies Of The Inca (A&E)
- World's Wonders: Machu Picchu (BBC)
- Wonders of Our World: Machu Picchu
- Machu Picchu (NG)
- Building Connections to the Past: Mayas, Part 1
- Building Connections to the Past: Mayas, Part 2
- Lost City of the Maya (NG)
- Engineering an Empire: The Maya, Death Empire (A&E)
- Ancient Maya: Power Centers (A&E)
- World's Wonders: Palenque (BBC)
- Wonders of Our World: Chichen Itza
- Horrible Histories: Angry Aztecs
- Engineering an Empire: The Aztecs (A&E)
- Ancient Mysteries: Secrets Of The Aztec Empire (A&E)
- In Search of History: The Aztec Empire (A&E)
- Our North American Neighbors: Mexico: Its History, People & Government
- World's Wonders: Toltecs (BBC)
- North American GeoQuest: Mexico
Images