Sixth graders study the Olmec civilization. They develop a map of Mexico and a map of the area of the Olmec civilization. They research Olmec art, religion, and architecture. They construct Olmec symbols including giant heads, altars,...

The Olmec were an ancient people native to Mexico who lived from 1000-500 BC. Young artists examine the Olmec piece Seated Figure to analyze the use of body language to communicate a tone or feeling. They then use clay or play-dough...

Middle schoolers identify the major aspects of Olmec and Mayan civilzations, including economic, political, and religious. They list contributions of these civilizations. Students identify the Central American countries where the United...

These slides are attractively designed but some contain a lot of text.  Cherokee, Creek, Chickasaw, Aztec, Mayan, Olmec, and Mississippi Mound Builders are the pre-colonial Native American groups detailed in this PowerPoint....

The ancient Native American cultures are such a fascinating topic to teach. Provide learners with a basic understanding of the people and cultures that shaped the prehistoric Americas. Paleo-Indians, Missisipians, Clovis, Olmec, Maya,...

A basic overview of the early civilizations of Central America, this slideshow would be a good foundation for a lesson on the characteristics of these three tribes. It would fold into a unit on world cultures or European exploration...

Students explore theories about how the Olmec civilization influenced other Mesoamerican societies. They research the Olmecs to create a museum exhibit of their findings and reflect on how an Olmec person might have understood the...

Sure the ancient Mayan civilization had an advanced calendar and mathematical system, but did you know that they also played a great team sport like basketball? Invite your learners to discover the great ballcourt at Chichen Itza and...

Students investigate U.S. history by researching the Internet and taking a test. In this American Indian group lesson plan, students identify the many specific Native American tribes and their geographic locations. Students research the...

Sixth graders determine the mean, range median and mode of a set of numbers and display them. In this data lesson students form a set of data and use computer spreadsheet to display the information. They extend of the process by...

Sixth graders experiment with an atlatl and dart.  In this sixth grade data management mathematics lesson, 6th graders explore and determine the most suitable methods of displaying data collected from their experimentation with...

Students research and write about the origins of the ingredients in candy bars. They taste them and describe what they are tasting. They use descriptive words to write a paragraph describing the candy bar. They research ingredients in...

Students take the opportunity to discover how teamwork can be used for problem solving and critical thinking skills. They use a duplicated picture of The Colossal Head which is cut into puzzle pieces and reassemble.

For this history worksheet, students take a multiple choice quiz about the geography of famous empires. Students complete 4 multiple choice questions.

Students research the earliest Americans. For this ancient civilizations lesson, students investigate the Mayas, Aztecs, and Incas. Students examine artifacts used in the cultures and then determine what the artifacts were used for and...

Wikipedia offers excellent information on the Olmec, a people living in south-central Mexico from 2300 BC to about 800 BC.

Study suggests that chemical studies on bitumen (hydrocarbon material) is a feasible method of studying inter-regional trade and social networks. Includes a chart defining archaeological phases of the Olmec Culture.

Short article describing Olmec civilization as an Early Formative culture that made the transition from dispersed farming to village settlement. A discussion earthworks and links to pictures of artifacts are available. See "Gallery."

The Formative Period (1500 BCE-300 CE) of Mesoamerican culture is surveyed with an overview of the Olmec culture. Includes discussion of Olmec stone head sculpture, art, building, writing, and other achievements.

Report describing the discovery and excavation of an Olmec site at Zazacatla, Mexico.

Investigation of two excavated households offers insights into Olmec daily life during the Formative Period.

Excellent pictures of domestic areas. Pollen analysis offers information on farming and socialization.

A significant part of the research is a form of early writing. La Venta's hierarchy is defined by artifacts found during excavations.