Core Knowledge Foundation
Maya, Aztec, and Inca Civilizations
Here are a series of lessons on the Mayan, Aztec, and Incan civilizations. This incredible, 15-lesson unit would be perfect for any fifth grade study on these important civilizations. Learners focus on the complex nature of the cultures,...
Core Knowledge Foundation
Maya, Aztec, and Inca Civilizations
A 10-lesson unit explores the Maya, Aztec, and Inca civilizations. Over the course of two weeks, scholars read nonfiction excerpts, discuss their findings, and complete activities. An assessment equipped with multiple choice and matching...
Curated OER
Aztec and Mayan Mythology
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...
Core Knowledge Foundation
Unit 2: Early American Civilizations
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...
Curated OER
Meet the Mayas, Aztecs and Incas
Students study the geography of the Mayas, Aztecs and Incas and create a map book. They share in stories and legends about these people. Handouts and worksheets are included.
Core Knowledge Foundation
Early American Civilizations Tell It Again!™ Read-Aloud Anthology
Bridge subjects ancient history and English language arts together with a unit all about the Maya, Aztec, and Inca civilizations. Eleven lessons begin with a read-aloud followed by a whole-class discussion in preparation for practice by...
Curated OER
I AM a Researcher, "I"nca, "A"ztec, "M"aya
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....
New York City Department of Education
Geography and Early Peoples of the Western Hemisphere
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...
Virginia Department of Education
World History and Geography to 1500 A.D.
Here's a great resource for your curriculum library. The 240-page packet, organized into units by topics, includes sample lesson plans, links to primary and secondary source documents, worksheets, activities, and sample assessments.
Midwest Institute for Native American Studies
Introduction to Pre-Columbian Lessons
Native peoples established civilizations all over Central and North America. Introduce native civilizations with a unit that promotes discussion, reinforces map skills, enhances reading comprehension, and exposes young historians to...
Curated OER
Mexico: A Look At Its Culture and Geography
Students canvass the Mexican geography, culture, dress, language, crafts, and traditions in this unit of eight lessons. The Mexican Independance Day is compared to our own and the contributions of the Mayan, Azetec, and Spanish are...
Annenberg Foundation
Exploring Borderlands
What motivated Europeans to explore the New World, and what effects did their exploration have on Native American populations? The second installment of a 16-part American Passages series prompts pupils to watch a video and read several...
Project Food, Land & People
Loco for Cocoa
Students create a time line and map about how chocolate traveled the world. In this chocolate lesson plan, students also create and taste chocolate.
Curated OER
Meso-America
Students will identify and locate Central and South America and their countries and features, as well as Meso-American civilizations. Students will compare civilizations and discuss voyages of relevant explorers.
Curated OER
Travel to Mesoamerica
Students research books, watch movies, and look on the internet to find information on ancient America, Mexico, and Central America. In this Mesoamerica lesson plan, students participate in a social studies unit on North America of the...
C3 Teachers
C3 Teachers: Inquiries: Aztec
A learning module on the Aztec Empire that includes three supporting questions accompanied by formative tasks and source materials, followed by a summative performance task. Topics covered include the capital of Tenochtitlan, an...
The Newberry Library
The Aztecs and the Making of Colonial Mexico: Europeans Invade the Aztec Empire
Spanish conquistador Hernan Cortes invaded the Aztec empire in the 16th century. This conquest led to the colonization of Mexico. The Newberry Library provides an in depth look into this period of Mexican history through photos,...
Georgia Department of Education
Ga Virtual Learning: Native American and Aztec Mythology
This is a comprehensive unit on Native American and Aztec Mythology including key terms, animals and archtypes, animal tricksters, totems, readings of Cherokee and California myths, the Aztec creation myth, research assignment with...
CommonLit
Common Lit: Aztec Sacrifice
A learning module that begins with "Aztec Sacrifice" by Mark Cartwright, accompanied by guided reading questions, assessment questions, and discussion questions. The text can be printed as a PDF or assigned online through free teacher...
PBS
Pbs: Hernan Cortes and the Fall of the Aztec Empire
Learn about the fall of the Aztec Empire. You can use the navigation tool at the left to click into more information on the Aztecs and the Spanish conquest of Cortes. Uses popups.
Lin and Don Donn
Lin and Don Donn: Lessons: Aztec
These lesson plans and ideas are designed to teach students about Aztec Indians who ruled much of present-day Mexico before the arrival of the Spanish.
TED Talks
Ted: Ted Ed: The Aztec Myth of the Unlikeliest Sun God
Kay A. Read recounts the myth of the sun.
PBS
Pbs: The Conquistadors
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...
C3 Teachers
C3 Teachers: Inquiries: Complex Societies
A learning module on the complexities of the Maya, Aztec, and Inca civilizations. It includes several supporting questions accompanied by formative tasks and source materials, followed by a summative performance task. Topics covered...