Graphic
Other

Visulistan: Mapping the Empires of History #Infographic

For Students 9th - 10th
This infographic maps the empires of history including the British Empire, the Mongol Empire, the Russian Empire, the Spanish Empire, the Umayyad Caliphate, the Portuguese Empire, the Achaemenid Empire (First Persian Empire), the Ottoman...
Graphic
Curated OER

The Aztec Empire Map

For Students 9th - 10th
Aztec Empire map
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.
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
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.
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: 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.
Lesson Plan
National Endowment for the Humanities

Neh: Edsit Ement: Aztecs Find a Home: The Eagle Has Landed

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
In this lesson plan, students will consider "Aztecs Find a Home: The Eagle Has Landed." The plan includes worksheets and other student materials that can be found under the resource tab.
Website
University of Groningen

American History: Essays: Spain's Territorial Conquest in the Americas

For Students 9th - 10th
The history of Spanish territorial conquest in the New World is the history of the succession of conquistadors who often overwhelmed native empires, but were sometimes overwhelmed themselves. Read about the conquistadors who came to the...
Unit Plan
CommonLit

Common Lit: Clash of Cultures: Indigenous America and the Conquistadores

For Students 9th - 10th
A learning module that begins with "Clash of Cultures: Indigenous America and the Conquistadores" by USHistory.org, accompanied by guided reading questions, assessment questions, and discussion questions. The text can be printed as a PDF...
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,...
Graphic
Other

Aztec Centers in the Region of Lake Texcoco

For Students 9th - 10th
A map of Lake Texcoco, showing the Aztec centers in the region at the time of the Spanish conquistadors. The entry route of Cortes into the city of Tenochtitlan, the Aztec capital, is designated along with causeways into the city. A few...
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...
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...
Website
Other

Aztec History: Aztec History

For Students 9th - 10th
A detailed look at the great Aztec Empire! The menu bar links to all the major topics: religion, food, clothing, art, timeline, family life, languages, calendar, culture, music, games, government. Within each topic are related photos.
Website
Mex Connect

Mexico's Colonial Era Part Ii: Religion and Society in New Spain

For Students 9th - 10th
This article examines religion in Mexico beginning with the Spanish conquest of the Aztec Empire, and some of the changes since then.
Online Course
Khan Academy

Khan Academy: World History: Unit: 600 1450 Regional & Interregional Interaction

For Students 9th - 10th
The World History unit is from Khan Academy. The years 600 to 1450 are included. The Byzantine Empire, European Middle Ages, origins of Islam, spread of Islam, Great Schism, Crusades, Mongols, Song China, Medieval Japan, Maya Empire,...
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: 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.