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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Lesson Plan: Communicating With Body Language

For Teachers K - 5th
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 to...
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Website
Foundation for the Advancement of Mesoamerican Studies

Famsi: Surface Archaeology in the Chilapa Zitiala Area (2003)

For Students 9th - 10th
Study at the Chilapa-Zitlala, Mexico site indicates possibility of Olmec presence.
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Handout
Wikimedia

Wikipedia: Olmec

For Students 9th - 10th
Wikipedia offers excellent information on the Olmec, a people living in south-central Mexico from 2300 BC to about 800 BC.
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Article
Other

De Young Museum: Art of Mesoamerica (I Notice . . . I Wonder . . . )

For Students 9th - 10th
Using a green stone mask from the Olmec culture and a wall painting from Teotihuacan, both of prehispanic Mexico, as a point of departure, this pdf article presents examples for the historical analysis of art.
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Website
Foundation for the Advancement of Mesoamerican Studies

Famsi: Investigations at an Olmec Community

For Students 9th - 10th
Excellent pictures of domestic areas. Pollen analysis offers information on farming and socialization.
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Website
Foundation for the Advancement of Mesoamerican Studies

Famsi: San Carlos Rural Olmec Household Project (1996)

For Students 9th - 10th
Investigation of two excavated households offers insights into Olmec daily life during the Formative Period.
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Website
Foundation for the Advancement of Mesoamerican Studies

Famsi: Archaeology of Early Formative Chalcatzingo

For Students 9th - 10th
Indications of centralized authority in building platform mounds which were most likely a public facility.
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Website
Other

Mesoweb: Olmec Discovery at Zazacatla

For Students 9th - 10th
Report describing the discovery and excavation of an Olmec site at Zazacatla, Mexico.