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- 12-22-11
Meso-American and Andean Civilizations Lesson Plans
Find teacher approved Meso American and Andean Civilizations lesson plan ideas and activities
Fifth graders study the culture and history of the Aztecs, Incas and the Maya and their impact on Central America. They research, play games, complete maps and write myths to demonstrate their knowledge as they participate in activities.
Learners research and plan a Mississippian garden. In this Native American history lesson, students work in groups to research crops used by Native Americans in the Mississippian Period and use the information to plan and create an illustration of their group's garden.
Fifth graders use the internet to research the history of cultures throughout the world. In groups, they disucss the meaning of various symbols and view Tenochtitlan as a center of power and wealth. They use everyday materials to create a model of the city and share it with the class. To end the activity, they write an evaluation on their work and answer discussion questions.
Students examine and discuss the meanings of the various symbols in Tenochtitlan. In groups, they complete a part of the model of the city and discuss the importance of finding artifacts. Individually, they choose an a two-dimensional object, identify its characteristics and the elements of design found on the object. To end the lesson plan, they also build models of the Mayan pyramids.
Students view a seven meter time line with a scale of one mm=1 year, and three rows (Canada, Mexico, United States). They identify civilizations on each timeline. Students determine the affect of the ability to cultivate corn on a civilizations stability. Students write an essay based on information on the timelines.
Learners examine the role of immigrants in the United States. In groups, they focus on the art of boot-making and read a case study about Feliciano Torres Medel. They use the Internet to research the history of boot-making and how it has changed over time.
Students compare and contrast the structures of Meso-American and Andean civilizations. Using geography, they discover the landforms and climates of Central and South America. They examine the role of family structures and religious beliefs and practices. They describe the achievements in astronomy and math.
Students explore the Southwest with a time line beginning with 35,000 B.C. On one side of the line is recorded events in the southwestern United States. Opposite, they record events, either parallel or contrasting, elsewhere in the world. For each event one card has a date and a caption; on a second they create a small picture.
