Curated OER
Lesson Plan: Carving Through History
Peek into the art and history of ancient Mexico by analyzing the artifact Stone Serpent Heads. Learners examine images of the piece, discuss its origin, history, and significance. They experience the carving process by creating similar...
University of California
Tenochtitlán
Behold, the Great Aztec empire! Scholars use primary sources to understand the impact of the Aztec city Tenochtitlan. Academics complete a worksheet and participate in group discussion to understand how Tenochtitlan was a melting pot for...
Curated OER
Aztec Gods
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...
Curated OER
Ancient Mexico
Here are three interconnected lessons intended to build an understanding of life in Mexico prior to and after contact with Spain. Learners take a "trip" to Tenochtitlan through a series of images, read The Evil of Tezcatilipoca and The...
Curated OER
The Aztecs - Mighty Warriors of Mexico
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....
Curated OER
The Eagle Has Landed: Aztecs Find a Home
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.
Smarter Balanced
Aztec Empire
To set the stage for a study of the Aztec Empire, groups use the provided definition of civilization and generate a list of elements that make up our modern day civilization. The whole class then examines an image of an Aztec city and...
Curated OER
The Exchange, Destruction and Reconstruction of Architectural Signs and Symbols in Mexico-Tenochtitlan: A History of Order and Power
Fifth graders use the internet to research the history of cultures throughout the world. In groups, they disucss the meaning of various symbols and view Tenochtitlan as a center of power and wealth. They use everyday materials to...
Curated OER
Tenochtitlan Needs a Drink
Students engineer a way to provide drinking water using Aztec technology. In this engineering a way to provide drinking water using Aztec technology activity, students find a way to deliver fresh water to a city surrounded by salt...
Curated OER
Artifacts: Bringing the Past Back to Life -- the Mexican Case
Students examine and discuss the meanings of the various symbols in Tenochtitlan. In groups, they complete a part of the model of the city and discuss the importance of finding artifacts. Individually, they choose an a two-dimensional...
University of California
University of California at San Diego: Aztec Chronology
An extremely detailed chronology of the Aztecs and their predecessors, stretching from 600 AD to 1521, their conquest by the Spaniards. Scroll to the end to find a genealogical chart of the Aztec royal house.
Yale University
Yale New Haven Teachers Institute: Art Images of Tenochtitlan Past and Present
This site is a curriculum unit on art from Tenochtitlan, specifically the case of the Virgin of Guadalupe. Provides three lesson plans, a glossary, bibliography, and other resources.
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...
Wikimedia
Wikipedia: Aztec
An encyclopedia article from Wikipedia on the Aztecs discusses the legend of how they first appeared, their culture, human sacrifice, and the end of the empire.
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...
Cengage Learning
The Earth and Its People: Cortes on the Aztecs: Two Letters to Charles V
This site demonstrates the impression that native Mexican people made on Hernando Cortes during his conquest. Includes good discussion questions.
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Harcourt: Biographies: Hernando Cortes 1485 1547
Furnished is a brief summary of the life and explorations of Spanish explorer, Hernando Cortes. Take a look at the photos and maps of his journey of what today is called Mexico.
National Endowment for the Humanities
Neh: Edsit Ement: Aztecs Find a Home: The Eagle Has Landed
In this lesson plan, students will consider "Aztecs Find a Home: The Eagle Has Landed." The plan includes worksheets and other student materials that can be found under the resource tab.
PBS
Pbs: The Conquistadors: Aztec Empire
Read about the development of the Aztec Empire and its status just before the Spanish Conquest. Click on the hyperlinks or pictures for more information. From part of an extensive PBS website about the Conquistadors.
World History Encyclopedia
World History Encyclopedia: Aztec Civilization
Entry references the history of the Aztec Empire with a focus on Tenochtitlan, religion, architecture, art, and its eventual collapse.
Read Works
Read Works: Aztecs, Incas, and Mayas Tenochtitlan
[Free Registration/Login Required] A retelling of a legend about the Aztec city of Tenochtitlan. A question sheet is available to help students build skills in reading comprehension.
Read Works
Read Works: Aztecs, Incas, and Mayans Tenochtitlan
[Free Registration/Login Required] This nonfiction passage shares the legend of the creation of the Mayan city of Tenochtitlan. This passage reinforces essential reading comprehension skills. Opportunities for vocabulary acquisition are...
Read Works
Read Works: Aztecs, Incas, and Mayans the Aztec Empire
[Free Registration/Login Required] This nonfiction passage provides information about the ancient Aztec Empire, including the significance of Montezuma and Tenochtitlan. This passage reinforces essential reading comprehension skills....
Soft Schools
Soft Schools: The World of the Aztecs Quiz
Take this interactive, multiple choice quiz over the Aztecs, and then check your answers for review after answering the questions.