Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Aztec Culture and Lifestyles

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students explore the lifestyles of the Aztecs. In this ancient culture instructional activity, students jigsaw into groups that divide up various aspects of Aztec culture. Students reform as a class in order to discuss and share their...
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
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The Conquest of the Aztec Civilization

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students use the classroom atlases, the Internet or textbooks to draw a freehand map. They work in groups using the maps in the book The Broken Spears (Portilla) and The Conquest of New Spain (Diaz) to draw a freehand map identifying...
Lesson Plan
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Aztec History

For Teachers 5th - 7th
Students explore facets of Aztec history. In this ancient civilizations lesson, students map landmarks in Mexico, read excerpts from The Sad Night: The Story of an Aztec Victory and a Spanish Loss, by Sally Mathews and design concept...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Aztec Myths 1

For Teachers 7th - 9th
Students write a diary entry or a letter from the viewpoint of a character in a myth.  In this Aztec myths lesson plan, students define myths and read "The Heart of Copil" and "The Eagle of Tenochtitlan" and find the land of...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Conquistadors: Hernán Cortes

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Learners discover the accomplishments of Hernan Cortes. In this Exploration Age lesson, students discuss the attributes of Cortes and his role as a conquistador. Learners then conduct further research to participate in a debate about...
Lesson Plan
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Theobroma Cacao "The Food of the Gods"

For Teachers 6th
Sixth graders research the history of chocolate and write short answers to provided questions. They read about the Mayan and Aztec civilizations and the Spanish conquest.
Lesson Plan
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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

Common Good in Aztec Culture

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students investigate the Aztec religion and its symbols. In this Aztec religion lesson, students develop understanding of why the Aztecs gave sacrifices. Students write an essay looking at the Aztec religion and can explain its...
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...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Clouds

For Teachers K - 1st Standards
Incorporate art and poetry into an early elementary science activity about cloud formation. With fun and engaging activities that follow a natural learning progression, youngsters will develop key vocabulary and conceptual understanding...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Aztec Dance

For Teachers 7th
Seventh graders study Aztec dance to learn about their culture and civilization. In this Aztec study lesson, 7th graders watch a video of Aztec dancers and describe the dance on an index card. Students visit a website to learn the...
Lesson Plan
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Bible: Aztec Gods

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Learners create a visual representation of an aspect of Aztec religion.  In this Aztec religion instructional activity, students work in groups to read a passage and create a visual way to remember the important information in...
Lesson Plan
Edible Schoolyard

Pan de los Muertos

For Teachers 6th Standards
Accompany instruction and the celebration of El Dia de los Muertos with a loaf of Pan de los Muertos. Here, scholars measure ingredients precisely to create tasty bread, write a remembrance for someone who has...
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. 
Lesson Plan
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Mayan Culture

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students use RAFT prompts to write about Mayan society. In this lesson on Mayan culture, students research and then explain the Mayan hierarchy and social structure. As a culminating activity each student will write a newspaper article...
Lesson Plan
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Come On Over To Maya Place

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders analyze the Mayan culture. In this Mayan culture lesson, 5th graders study the Mayan culture noting similarities and differences between the Mayan culture and their own. Students examine hieroglyphic writing and the Mayan...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Mesoamerican Cultures

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

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students read stories, look at maps, and write journal entries to learn about the language and artwork of Nahuatl culture. In this Nahuatl culture lesson plan, students research the Nahuatl culture and present their findings.
Lesson Plan
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Chapter 9: A Surprising Day and A Little Bit About China

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders complete activities with Chapter 9 of the book The Fastest Pig in the West by Randi Hacker. In this literature lesson, 5th graders discuss the concept of saving face and how it affects the main character's decisions....
Lesson Plan
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Understanding Primary and Secondary Sources

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Students identify legends in Tennessee and U.S. history, and differentiate between primary and secondary sources. They list examples of primary and secondary sources, participate in a field trip to the Country Music Hall of Fame, and...
Lesson Plan
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CRM in Tennessee

For Teachers 11th
Eleventh graders examine the the Civil Rights Movement in Tennessee. In this state history lesson, 11th graders create a timeline of events. Students write journal entries about their visit to the Nashville Public Library.
Lesson Plan
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Art as Advocacy for Social Change

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
“Humanscape No.65” by Melesia Casas and Ester Hernandez’s “Sun Maid Raisins” launch a study of how works of art can advocate for social change. After examining these two works and discussing the human rights issues raised, class members...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

"Be the Kiwi" - Maori Oral Tradition and Performance

For Teachers 7th - 9th
Students create a story similar to those of the Maori oral tradition.  In this Whale Rider lesson plan, students discuss the way that Maori legends were passed down from generation to generation.  Students choose a land...