UNIT OVERVIEW
This thematic, integrated unit about the Mayas, Aztecs, and Incas will provide both the teacher and the students with a broad understanding of the topic. It is designed to provide a variety of teaching strategies, allowing students to explore the topic in many different ways. "Part I - Core Teaching Lessons" is a series of lessons presented in a direct instruction format. "Part II - Student Handbook" is a handbook that can be reproduced for each student. Its contents correlate with the lesson activities in Part I. "Part III - Optional Lessons" offers ideas for optional lessons to extend learning on the topic - if the teacher desires. "Part IV - Major Project" is a project designed to demonstrate student knowledge obtained throughout the unit. In addition, the unit’s format allows for effective teaching of Ancient America because it addresses different ability levels and modalities in your classroom.
PART I - CORE TEACHING LESSONS
In this section, each ancient civilization is introduced individually. Student activities in each lesson allow students to demonstrate knowledge of what is learned. Due to all of the information contained in the lessons, plan on using at least two class periods for each lesson. The lesson titles and subsequent activities are as follows:
1) Introduction to Ancient American Civilizations Pre-test, Mapping activity, Sequencing dates and events
2&3) Mysterious Mayas Folktale handout, Math problems, Compare/Contrast paper
4&5) Ambivalent Aztecs Sunstone activity, Onion paper, Aztec cloak design
6&7) Inventive Incas Pictorial story, Treasure mapping, Creative writing
PART II - STUDENT HANDBOOK
This section contains information pages and activities for Part I lessons. It can be photocopied in booklet form for each student to use during the lessons.
PART III - OPTIONAL LESSONS
1) Unit Post-Test
2) Ancient American Picture And Chapter Books
3) Venn Diagram
4) Inca Headresses
5) Aztec Trading Post
6) Internet Sites
7) Clay Pottery
8) Ancient America Crossword Puzzle
9) Head Slings
10) Ancient America Crossword Wordsearch
11) Popcorn and Patolli Party
12) The Lost City Of Machu Picchu
PART IV - MAJOR PROJECT
This section of the unit is designed to be a culmination activity in which students create Ancient American codices (books) that summarize interesting facts about the three civilizations studied in this unit. A step-by-step outline and grading scale are provided.