Activity
Read Works

Read Works: Aztecs, Incas, and Mayas the Land of the Four Quarters

For Teachers 5th Standards
[Free Registration/Login Required] An informational text about the Incan empire. A question sheet is available to help students build skills in reading comprehension.
Article
Read Works

Read Works: Aztecs, Incas, and Mayans the Land of the Four Quarters

For Teachers 4th - 6th
[Free Registration/Login Required] This nonfiction passage describes the Inca Empire and shares a theory about how the civilization disappeared. This passage reinforces essential reading comprehension skills. Opportunities for vocabulary...
Activity
Read Works

Read Works: Aztecs, Incas, and Mayans Cuzco: City of Gold

For Teachers 4th - 6th
[Free Registration/Login Required] This nonfiction passage describes the ancient city of Cuzco, the center of activity during the Inca Empire. This passage reinforces essential reading comprehension skills. Opportunities for vocabulary...
Article
Khan Academy

Khan Academy: Templo Mayor at Tenochtitlan, Coyolxauhqui Stone and Olmec Mask

For Students 9th - 10th
The Templo Mayor was positioned at the center of the Mexica capital and thus the entire empire. The temple contained many Mexica (Aztec) artifacts and gives us a glimpse into their rituals and beliefs. View pictures and read about the...
Handout
Wikimedia

Wikipedia: Moctezuma Ii

For Students 9th - 10th
Under Moctezuma, the Aztec empire was strong and expanded its borders. However, when the Spanish arrived, their superior power and weapons enabled them to conquer the Aztecs. Read about Moctezuma's life, his interactions with the Spanish...
Primary
Internet History Sourcebooks Project

Fordham University: Modern History Sourcebook: An Aztec Account of the Spanish Conquest

For Students 9th - 10th
Fordham University provides an excerpt of an Aztec account of the initial encounter of Montezuma and the Spanish conquistador Hernando Cortes, as published by noted anthropologist Miguel Leon-Portilla. The meeting-turned-massacre,...
Website
Ducksters

Ducksters: History for Kids: Aztecs, Maya, and Inca

For Students 4th - 8th
Kids learn about the ancient civilizations of the Americas including the Aztecs, Maya, and Inca Empires.
Unit Plan
Library of Congress

Loc: The Cultures and Histories of the Americas

For Students 9th - 10th
An online exhibit of a vast array of documents, artifacts, and maps detailing cultures in the Americas including the indigenous groups as well as Europeans after contact. From the Library of Congress.
Article
Khan Academy

Khan Academy: Frontispiece of the Codex Mendoza

For Students 9th - 10th
The Codex Mendoza, commissioned by Viceroy Mendoza, contained information about the lords of Tenochtitlan, the tribute paid to the Aztecs, and an account of life "from year to year." Read descriptions and view pictures of the codex in...
Handout
Siteseen

Siteseen: Land of the Brave: Hernando Cortes Facts

For Students 9th - 10th
Interesting biographical facts on the life of Hernando Cortes, the man who conquered the Aztec empire.
Handout
American Indian Heritage Foundation

Indians.org: The Aztecs/mexicas

For Students 9th - 10th
Learn about the Aztecs or Mexicas via this broad look at the mesoamerican empire via an overview description and many detail links on different aspects of the culture.
Website
Mex Connect

People and History of Mexico: The Post Classic Period (900 1521 Ad): The Aztecs

For Students 9th - 10th
Information on the settlement of the Aztec in Tenochtitlan, which soon became the capital city of their empire, their notable religious observations and customs, and the news of the landing of the bearded white men bearing crosses.
Website
Lin and Don Donn

Mr Donn: The Inca Empire for Kids

For Teachers 3rd - 8th
Website presents material for kids and teachers on the history, geography, and culture of the Inca Civilization.
Primary
Internet History Sourcebooks Project

Fordham University: Modern History Sourcebook: Hernan Cortes

For Students 9th - 10th
Fordham University gives the text of Cortes' second letter to King Charles V, describing the Aztec capital city, Tenochtitlan, and the people who lived there.
Unit Plan
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt

Harcourt: Biographies: Hernando Cortes 1485 1547

For Students 5th - 7th
Furnished is a brief summary of the life and explorations of Spanish explorer, Hernando Cortes. Take a look at the photos and maps of his journey of what today is called Mexico.
Activity
Read Works

Read Works: Aztecs, Incas, and Mayas Cuzco: City of Gold

For Teachers 5th Standards
[Free Registration/Login Required] An informational text about the Incan city Cuzco. A question sheet is available to help students build skills in reading comprehension.
Website
Ducksters

Ducksters: Explorers for Kids: Hernan Cortes

For Students 1st - 9th
Investigate the biography and life of Spanish explorer and conquistador Hernan Cortes. Read about how he conquered the Aztec Empire.
Unit Plan
PBS

Pbs: The Conquistadors

For Students 9th - 10th
A huge website that provides a virtual field trip exploring the Spanish adventurers who quested for gold and land in the New World. The site has information on Pizarro, Orellana, Cabeza de Vaca, Cortes as well as extensive information...
Handout
BBC

Bbc: History: The Story of the Conquistadors

For Students 9th - 10th
A well known historian tells the story of the early Spanish explorers known as "conquistadors". He discusses their motivation, what effect they had on the native American societies and much more. Archived.