Aztec Teacher Resources

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,...

Combining social studies and geography, pupils identify the various foods eaten by the Aztecs. They create a recipe for an Aztec evening meal, including preparation instructions. Next, they explain why the Aztecs ate foods commonly found...

Upper elementary learners identify the Aztecs as the builders of a great city and rich civilization in what is now Mexico. They locate the Aztec Empire and its capital on a map and place the Aztecs in the chronology of American history....

Is it a calendar? A religious symbol? A political statement? One thing for certain is that Aztec sun stone designs remain an important symbol in Mexican cultural art. Young artists craft their own Aztec Sun design incorporating ideas...

Pupils observe the shapes and lines that make up Aztec sculpture, study Pre-Columbian art as they discover the Aztecs, Mayans and Incas. They create a small-scale Aztec tile using pasta. Creative, clever and engaging.

Students investigate the Aztec civilization and locate it on a map. They explain the legend of the city of Tenochtitan and investigate the symbolism of the Mexican flag.

Did you know the Aztecs had two different calendars? Or that Aztec men could have more than one wife? Find out more about this ancient civilization including how they lived, what they ate, and their cultures and beliefs with a set of 20...

Pupils examine the Aztec civilization in what is now Mexico. Using a map, they locate the empire and explain the legend of the founding of Tenochtitlan. They explore the symbols on various Mexican flags and what they meant to the Aztec...

The Inca and Aztecs created vast economic empires in South America, but how did economics play a role? A simulation activity and reading help scholars evaluate the kinds of markets these great civilizations created. They then consider...

Students examine and research the Aztec's culture and their corn-growing techniques. They conduct research on the significant role that agriculture and corn played in Aztec life, then create a diorama illustrating the Aztec corn-growing...

Students investigate the development and use of Aztec terraces while farming. They conduct research using a variety of resources. Students use the information for the context of class discussion and then create a diorama to represent the...

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...

How did the sun arrive in the sky? Learners watch a short film that describes the myth of Nanahuatl, a weak Aztec god who sacrificed himself to become the fifth sun for his people.

Analyzing an image depicting a scene from the past can be as effective as reading (for some learners). Here, they analyze two drawings showing an Aztec ceremony and an aerial view of Tenochtitlan. They answer 4 questions about each picture.

Middle schoolers can analyze primary source documents to answer the question, "Why did the Aztec and Inca civilizations disappear?" They will read the provided excerpts then answer 11 different questions to uncover the ultimate answer.

Here is a cool way to use a slide show presentation. Each slide provides a document or excerpt and a critical-thinking question. Information is focused on the traditions and lifestyle of the Aztecs. A good way to review for a test.

Give those kids an opportunity to show what they know about the ancient Aztec culture. This "Millionaire" style game reviews basic facts about the Aztec empire. It includes thirteen complete questions, leaving three additional questions...

Middle schoolers write an editorial giving an opinion of whether or not Quetzalcoatl has arrived and if so, what the Aztecs should do.  They discuss whether or not they believe Quetzalcoatl is a god or a man, and use an Editorial...

The Aztec people had  many gods in their pantheon. Your class gets to learn about three of them. They read about each of the three main gods, then create a god of their own. They use what they've learned about each god to make and...

Are you working on a Central American civilizations unit? Give your class a quiz on the Aztec gods after studying the Aztec culture in social studies or literature. Fifteen questions focus on basic identification.

Students investigate the Aztec calendar. In this Aztec calendar lesson, students look at examples of Aztec calendars, both the solar and lunar calendars. They access web sites to further investigate the calendars before making a Aztec...