Unit Plan
National Humanities Center

National Humanities Center: Toolbox Library: Enslaved Peoples, American Beginnings: 1492 1690

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Two Spanish accounts of enslaved Indians in the Caribbean and enslaved Africans in Mexico and statements of the difficulty of maintaining slavery and the lurking threat of a slave revolt.
Article
A&E Television

History.com: Day of the Dead: How Ancient Traditions Grew Into a Global Holiday

For Students 9th - 10th
The Day of the Dead or Dia de Muertos is an ever-evolving holiday that traces its earliest roots to the Aztec people in what is now central Mexico. This article explains Day of the Dead Traditions.
Website
Other

Us Government: Restore the Gulf

For Students 9th - 10th
Since the oil well has been shut down, attention turns to the restoration of the Gulf with regard to wildlife, the impact on the sea and coastal areas, travel and tourism, filing a claim for damages, and a return to normal life for...
Website
PBS

Pbs: New Perspectives on the West

For Students 9th - 10th
This in-depth resource presents a history of the American West from pre-Columbian times until World War I with profiles, documents, and images. It encourages visitors to link these into patterns of historical meaning for themselves....
Website
Ducksters

Ducksters: United States Geography for Kids: New Mexico

For Students 1st - 9th
Kids learn facts and geography about the state of New Mexico including symbols, flag, capital, bodies of water, industry, borders, population, fun facts, GDP, famous people, and major cities.
Handout
PBS

The West: Stephen Fuller Austin (1793 1836)

For Students 9th - 10th
PBS presents a biography on the life of Stephen Fuller Austin. Known as "The Father of Texas," Stephen F. Austin established the first Anglo-American colony in the Teas province of Mexico and saw it grow into an independent republic.
Website
PBS

Pbs: Journey to Planet Earth: On the Brink

For Students 9th - 10th
A part of the PBS series "Journey to Planet Earth," this section examines "how severe environmental problems can lead to political crises and increased hostilities around the world." Includes video clips and educational resources.
Activity
Library of Congress

Loc: Local Legacies

For Students 9th - 10th
Experience America through its grassroots! Diverse populations lend cultural colorfulness to our country. Read about an International Food Fair in California, Annie Oakley Days in Ohio, and Wabanaki Basketry in Maine. Click on your...
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.
Article
Live Science

Live Science: Mexican Culture: Customs & Traditions

For Students 3rd - 8th
Looks at the makeup of Mexico's ethnic tapestry, its languages, religions, the values of its peoples, Mexican food, arts, clothing, and celebrations. [Published Feb. 10, 2015]
Graphic
Curated OER

Indigenous Peoples' Lit.: Indigenous Nations of Mexico

For Students 9th - 10th
A listing of the different indigenous groups of people in Mexico. Each group has its own page in which you can find information on their literature, songs, and culture. Additional links to other websites are provided.
Graphic
Curated OER

Indigenous Peoples' Lit.: Indigenous Nations of Mexico

For Students 9th - 10th
A listing of the different indigenous groups of people in Mexico. Each group has its own page in which you can find information on their literature, songs, and culture. Additional links to other websites are provided.
Website
AllRefer

All Refer Reference: Population / Ethnicity and Language

For Students 9th - 10th
A look at the history of population patterns in Mexico and also a look at the two primary ethnic groups: mestizos and Indians.
Graphic
Curated OER

Miguel Hidalgo, Often Called the Father of Mexico.

For Students 9th - 10th
A short history of the struggle for Mexican independence from Spain, with special emphasis given to the efforts of Miguel Hidalgo Costilla, who became known as the "father of the Mexican Revolution".
Lesson Plan
ArtsNow

Arts Now Learning: Exploring Social Studies Through Playwriting [Pdf]

For Teachers 6th Standards
In this lesson plan, 6th graders use photos of people in real-life events from the Zapatistas Movement as a springboard to write a dialogue between the people in the photograph. Students then work in pairs to create a scene that...
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.
Handout
Yale University

Yale New Haven Teachers Institute: The Aztecs: A Pre Columbian History

For Teachers 9th - 10th
This site contains several lesson plans, a teacher bibliography, a student reading list, and a large amount of background information on the Aztecs.
Website
Other

Mayan Kids

For Students 3rd - 5th
Explore the history, beliefs, people, and culture of the ancient Maya in this enchanting website. It includes games, clip art, and a glossary of terms.
Article
Khan Academy

Khan Academy: Aztec (Mexica), an Introduction

For Students 9th - 10th
This article from The British Museum provides a short history of the Mexica (Aztec) peoples and their empire.
Website
Other

Nmbgmr: Resources for Teachers

For Students 9th - 10th
Locate a variety of maps on New Mexico's minerals and resources, read issues of "Lite Geology," take virtual tours of state sites, and find games, puzzles, and activities for young people.
Website
Other

Nmbgmr: Resources for Teachers

For Students 9th - 10th
Locate a variety of maps on New Mexico's minerals and resources, read issues of "Lite Geology," take virtual tours of state sites, and find games, puzzles, and activities for young people.
Website
Other

Nmbgmr: Resources for Teachers

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Locate a variety of maps on New Mexico's minerals and resources, read issues of "Lite Geology," take virtual tours of state sites, and find games, puzzles, and activities for young people.
Website
Other

Oaxaca's Tourist Guide

For Students 9th - 10th
Offers fairly detailed information on the history of the state, natural and cultural attractions, indigenous peoples, and tourist services.
Whiteboard
ClassFlow

Class Flow: Countries Mexico

For Teachers Pre-K - 1st
[Free Registration/Login Required] This colorful flipchart discusses Mexico - the people, food, and things that it is noted for. It compares the daily lives and customs such as birthdays and religious holidays of children in the United...