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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Conquistadors: Hernán Cortes

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students discover the accomplishments of Hernan Cortes. In this Exploration Age lesson, students discuss the attributes of Cortes and his role as a conquistador. Students then conduct further research to participate in a debate about...
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Unit Plan
Curated OER

Land Ho! Early Exploration and Settlement of the Americas

For Teachers 1st
Students complete a unit to learn about early American exploration. In this Americas exploration lesson, students complete eight lessons of activities to learn about Columbus's discovery of the new world and the early exploration of the...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Aztecs - Mighty Warriors of Mexico

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
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....
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Primary
Internet History Sourcebooks Project

Fordham University: Modern History Sourcebook: Hernan Cortes

For Students 9th - 10th
Fordham University gives the text of Cortes' second letter to King Charles V, describing the Aztec capital city, Tenochtitlan, and the people who lived there.
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Unit Plan
PBS

Pbs: The Conquistadors

For Students 9th - 10th
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...
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Unit Plan
PBS

Pbs: Hernan Cortes and the Fall of the Aztec Empire

For Students 9th - 10th
Learn about the fall of the Aztec Empire. You can use the navigation tool at the left to click into more information on the Aztecs and the Spanish conquest of Cortes. Uses popups.
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Unit Plan
The Newberry Library

The Aztecs and the Making of Colonial Mexico: Europeans Invade the Aztec Empire

For Students 9th - 10th
Spanish conquistador Hernan Cortes invaded the Aztec empire in the 16th century. This conquest led to the colonization of Mexico. The Newberry Library provides an in depth look into this period of Mexican history through photos,...
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Website
Ducksters

Ducksters: Explorers for Kids: Hernan Cortes

For Students 1st - 9th
Investigate the biography and life of Spanish explorer and conquistador Hernan Cortes. Read about how he conquered the Aztec Empire.
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Unit Plan
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt

Harcourt: Biographies: Hernando Cortes 1485 1547

For Students 5th - 7th
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.
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Handout
Other

Spanish Conquistadors

For Students 9th - 10th
Learn about the history and motives of the famous Spanish Conquistadors in the New World. Features biographies, pictures, and timelines about the life of the famous European Explorers.
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Handout
Wikimedia

Wikipedia: Moctezuma Ii

For Students 9th - 10th
Under Moctezuma, the Aztec empire was strong and expanded its borders. However, when the Spanish arrived, their superior power and weapons enabled them to conquer the Aztecs. Read about Moctezuma's life, his interactions with the Spanish...
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Handout
Walled Lake Consolidated Schools

Loon Lake Elementary School: Hernando Cortes

For Students 3rd - 5th
A biography of Hernando Cortes (or Cortez) (1485 -1547), a Spanish adventurer who conquered what is now central and southern Mexico. His seizure of land, power, and wealth made him the greatest Spanish conqueror in the Americas. His...
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Handout
The History Cat

The History Cat: Age of Exploration: The Spanish Conquest of Mexico

For Students 9th - 10th
Lengthy description of the life of Hernan Cortes, the Spanish conquistador who brought down the Aztec Empire in Mexico. How this came to be is explained, with many details of the sophistication of Aztec civilization.
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Primary
Internet History Sourcebooks Project

Fordham University: Modern History Sourcebook: An Aztec Account of the Spanish Conquest

For Students 9th - 10th
Fordham University provides an excerpt of an Aztec account of the initial encounter of Montezuma and the Spanish conquistador Hernando Cortes, as published by noted anthropologist Miguel Leon-Portilla. The meeting-turned-massacre,...
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Handout
San Jose State University

San Jose State University: Conquest of the Cities of Gold: Europe's Interactions

For Students 6th - 8th
The arrival of Hernan Cortez in Mexico, his encounters with the Aztec ruler Montezuma II and the Spanish defeat of the Aztecs are described.
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Graphic
Curated OER

Educational Technology Clearinghouse: Clip Art Etc: Hernan Cortes

For Students 9th - 10th
(1485-1547) Famous Spanish conquistador who conquered Mexico for Spain.
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Graphic
Curated OER

Educational Technology Clearinghouse: Clip Art Etc: Hernan Cortes

For Students 9th - 10th
(1485-1547) Famous Spanish conquistador who conquered Mexico for Spain.
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Graphic
Curated OER

Educational Technology Clearinghouse: Clip Art Etc: Hernan Cortes

For Students 9th - 10th
(1485-1547) Famous Spanish conquistador who conquered Mexico for Spain.
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Graphic
Curated OER

Educational Technology Clearinghouse: Clip Art Etc: Hernan Cortes

For Students 9th - 10th
(1485-1547) Famous Spanish conquistador who conquered Mexico for Spain.
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Graphic
Curated OER

Educational Technology Clearinghouse: Clip Art Etc: Hernan Cortes

For Students 9th - 10th
(1485-1547) The conquistador who overthrew the Aztec empire.
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Graphic
Other

Aztec Centers in the Region of Lake Texcoco

For Students 9th - 10th
A map of Lake Texcoco, showing the Aztec centers in the region at the time of the Spanish conquistadors. The entry route of Cortes into the city of Tenochtitlan, the Aztec capital, is designated along with causeways into the city. A few...
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Graphic
Curated OER

Educational Technology Clearinghouse: Maps Etc: Cortes' March to Mexico, 1519

For Students 9th - 10th
A map of Mexico showing the sites of the Spanish Conquistador expedition under Hernan Cortes in 1519. The map shows Juanna (Cuba), Tabasco, Vera Cruz, and Mexico City (Tenochtitlan). An inset map details the route taken by Cortez from...
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Handout
Mariners' Museum and Park

The Mariners' Museum: Exploration Through the Ages: Alonso Alvarez De Pineda

For Students 9th - 10th
Little is known about Alonso Alvarez de Pineda's life except for the last year. Read about his explorations for Spain and his contributions to the Spanish empire.
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Graphic
Curated OER

Educational Technology Clearinghouse: Clip Art Etc: Pedro De Alvarado

For Students 9th - 10th
(1495-1541) Spanish conquistador who was second command to Hernan Cortes during the conquest of Mexico.