Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Aztecs - Mighty Warriors of Mexico

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Upper elementary learners identify the Aztecs as the builders of a great city and rich civilization in what is now Mexico. They locate the Aztec Empire and its capital on a map and place the Aztecs in the chronology of American history....
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Eagle Has Landed: Aztecs Find a Home

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students investigate the Aztec civilization and locate it on a map. They explain the legend of the city of Tenochtitan and investigate the symbolism of the Mexican flag.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Aztec Calendar

For Teachers 3rd - 4th
Students investigate the Aztec calendar. In this Aztec calendar instructional activity, students look at examples of Aztec calendars, both the solar and lunar calendars. They access web sites to further investigate the calendars before...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Aztecs Meet the Spanish

For Teachers 6th - 9th
Students simulate an Independent Counsel to represent the Spanish and the Aztecs to formulate a policy for the Roman Catholic Church in 1527. They conduct research, graph the similarities and differences, create a poster, and write a...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Amazing Aztecs

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students research information about the ancient Aztec culture. In this Aztec lesson, students conduct Internet research about Aztecs to find the answers to questions about their language, jewelry and tools, and the Aztec calendar. ...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Aztec Culture

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students research the Aztec culture in Mexico. They focus on their religious practices. They write a goal to personally sacrifice something. They also write about the costs and benefits of a sacrifice.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Aztec, Inca, and Maya

For Teachers 7th
Seventh graders use images of Aztec weaponry to analyze its' value. They create a Word Document with the information.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Aztec Leaders

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students research the accomplishments of Aztec leaders. In this early civilizations lesson, students research Itzcoatl, Montezuma I, Ahuizotl, Montezuma II, and Cuaucht moc. Students use their research findings to create...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Exploring the Past: Mayan, Aztec, and Incan Civilizations

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders research the Mayan, Aztec, and Incan Civilizations and identify contributions they made to modern society. In this ancient civilizations lesson plan, 5th graders look at maps of where they were located.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

How Cortez Defeated the Aztecs

For Teachers 11th - 12th
Learners explore the cultural aspects of the Aztec Indians and their beliefs and knowledge base at the time of Cortez's invasion. They explore how their beliefs impacted the results of Cortez's invasion. Students synthesize information...
Unit Plan
Curated OER

Aztec and Mayan Mythology

For Teachers 6th
Here's a fresh take on a mythology unit. Use the myths of the Mayan and Aztec peoples of Mesoamerica instead of the more traditional Greek and Roman stories. This abstract suggests possible approaches and resources that can be...
Unit Plan
Core Knowledge Foundation

Unit 2: Early American Civilizations

For Teachers 5th Standards
Fifth graders explore early American civilizations in a four-week ELA unit. Every lesson offers an opportunity to read and discuss a selected passage followed by word work that covers vocabulary, grammar, and morphology. Learners write...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Aztec and Mayan Mythology

For Teachers 6th
Sixth graders write myths to show tolerance in creation. They read from both the Aztec and Mayan eras and develop an understanding of the similarities and differences of these two closely related cultures. They track the travels of...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

South American Indian Empires

For Teachers 3rd - 4th
Students study South American Indian Empires. In this South American Indian Empires lesson, students access an interactive web site to determine the answers to a drag and drop activity. They locate the Mayas, Inca, and Aztecs on a blank...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

What is Sacrifice?

For Teachers 7th - 9th
Students explore the Aztec culture. In this world cultures lesson, students examine the concept of sacrifice and discuss when sacrifice is justified versus unnecessary. Students come up with a personal way to make a justified sacrifice.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Ancient Artifacts

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students research the earliest Americans. In this ancient civilizations lesson, students investigate the Mayas, Aztecs, and Incas. Students examine artifacts used in the cultures and then determine what the artifacts were used for and...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Mesoamerican Cultures

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students compare and contrast the Mayan and Aztec cultures. In this Mesoamerican cultures lesson plan, students visit classroom stations that feature the landmarks, popular foods, and gods of the 2 cultures. Students discuss their...
Unit Plan
Curated OER

I AM a Researcher, "I"nca, "A"ztec, "M"aya

For Teachers 5th
Students create and original multimedia presentation on the Incas, Mayans, or Aztecs. In this Meso-American civilization lesson, students research and then compare and contrast the civilizations of the Incas, Mayan and the Aztecs....
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

American Civilization

For Teachers 1st
First graders become familiar with Mayan culture, Aztec civilization and the Inca Empire.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Where is Mesoamerica?

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Students create a map of Mesoamerica using construction paper, clay or by drawing it.  In this World Geography lesson, students determine the location of Mesoamerica, make a map, then present their map to their class.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Bible: Compare/contrast Religions

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students study creation myths. In this Meso American culture instructional activity, students research Aztec and Mayan creation myths. Students then compare the myths to the creation story of the Bible and share their findings with their...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

What is Sacrifice?

For Teachers 7th
Seventh graders explore different forms of sacrifice.  In this World History lesson, 7th graders determine the reasons why people make sacrifices.  Students write a personal goal to make a small sacrifice. 
Unit Plan
New York City Department of Education

Geography and Early Peoples of the Western Hemisphere

For Teachers 5th - 7th Standards
Young historians discover the early people of the western hemisphere. The unit explores how the land changed, how it was used and homes of early Americans such as Incas, Mayans, Inuits, Aztecs, and Pueblos. Individuals also examine these...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Mesoamerica: The History of Central America

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Young scholars examine the role of women in Mesoamerica. They watch segments of the Discovery video "Mesoamerica: The History of Central America". After conducting further research pertaining to specific Mayan women, they write...