Young scholars explore the lifestyles of the Aztecs. In this ancient culture lesson, students jigsaw into groups that divide up various aspects of Aztec culture. Young scholars reform as a class in order to discuss and share their findings.

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.

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...

Students explore facets of Aztec history. In this ancient civilizations lesson plan, 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...

Young scholars write a diary entry or a letter from the viewpoint of a character in a myth.  In this Aztec myths lesson, students define myths and read "The Heart of Copil" and "The Eagle of Tenochtitlan" and find the land of...

Students discover the accomplishments of Hernan Cortes. In this Exploration Age instructional activity, students discuss the attributes of Cortes and his role as a conquistador. Students then conduct further research to participate in a...

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.

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...

Students investigate the Aztec religion and its symbols. For 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...

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...

Incorporate art and poetry into an early elementary science lesson about cloud formation. With fun and engaging activities that follow a natural learning progression, youngsters will develop key vocabulary and conceptual understanding...

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...

Learners create a visual representation of an aspect of Aztec religion.  For this Aztec religion lesson, students work in groups to read a passage and create a visual way to remember the important information in it.  Learners...

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...

Seventh graders explore different forms of sacrifice.  In this World History lesson plan, 7th graders determine the reasons why people make sacrifices.  Students write a personal goal to make a small sacrifice. 

Pupils use RAFT prompts to write about Mayan society. In this instructional activity on Mayan culture, students research and then explain the Mayan hierarchy and social structure. As a culminating activity each student will write a...

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...

Young scholars compare and contrast the Mayan and Aztec cultures. For this Mesoamerican cultures lesson, students visit classroom stations that feature the landmarks, popular foods, and gods of the 2 cultures. Young scholars discuss...

Learners 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.

Fifth graders complete activities with Chapter 9 of the book The Fastest Pig in the West by Randi Hacker. In this literature activity, 5th graders discuss the concept of saving face and how it affects the main character's decisions....

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...

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.

“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...

Pupils create a story similar to those of the Maori oral tradition.  In this Whale Rider lesson, students discuss the way that Maori legends were passed down from generation to generation.  Pupils choose a land formation and...