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Mayas - Aztecs - Incas - Wendy Conklin
Grades
4 to 8tag(s): architecture (84), religions (114), south america (77)
In the Classroom
Transform your classroom into a bustling market! Assign students roles as Maya, Aztec, or Inca merchants selling goods like cacao, maize, textiles, or gold. Have them barter and trade based on their civilization's economy. Students can analyze Maya glyphs or Inca quipu (knotted cords used for record-keeping). They can try writing their names in glyphs or creating a simple quipu with yarn. Students can research and retell a myth from one of the three civilizations. They can write a short script, perform, or illustrate a comic strip using Free Comic Strip Maker reviewed here. Students could also record a podcast episode using Buzzsprout reviewed here. Students can build Maya pyramids (with sugar cubes), Aztec chinampas (floating gardens using sponges & water trays), or Inca terraces (stacked cardboard "mountains") to explore their engineering feats.Early American Civilizations- Maya, Aztec, and Inca - Core Knowledge
Grades
4 to 6tag(s): critical thinking (137), literacy (122), maps (224), south america (77), vocabulary (242)
In the Classroom
Make a Mystery Box by placing pictures or replicas of Maya, Aztec, and Inca artifacts (ex., a quipu, a pyramid, a codex) in a box. Have students pull an item, describe it, and infer its use before reading about it in the text. Students create a visual comparison such as a Venn diagram, poster, or digital infographic using Venn Diagram Creator reviewed here or Canva Edu, reviewed here showing similarities and differences between the Maya, Aztec, and Inca. They can list areas like government, religion, architecture, and daily life. Students can write a first-person journal entry as a Maya scribe, an Aztec warrior, or an Incan messenger, describing a day in their life while incorporating factual details from the reader.Ghosts of Machu Picchu - PBS NOVA
Grades
6 to 12tag(s): archeology (30), south america (77), STEM (310), timelines (57)
In the Classroom
Have students explore the website's visuals, articles, and videos to "virtually visit" Machu Picchu. Then, in small groups, students can create a travel brochure or digital slideshow highlighting key features, historical significance, and unanswered mysteries. These projects can be completed online using Canva Edu reviewed here or Google Slides reviewed here. After learning about Machu Picchu's sophisticated stone construction and drainage system, students can design and test their own miniature stone wall models using clay, Legos, or sugar cubes, mimicking Incan building techniques. Students can compare Machu Picchu's engineering, society, and daily life to another ancient civilization (ex., Mesopotamia, Egypt, Rome) and present their findings through a Venn diagram on paper or online using Venn Diagram Creator reviewed here.Inca Civilization - Twinkl Educational Publishing
Grades
3 to 10tag(s): cultures (226), religions (114), south america (77)
In the Classroom
Assign students different roles in Inca society (ex., farmer, noble, priest, artisan, emperor, chasqui messenger), have students research their roles, and then participate in a classroom simulation where they interact based on their social status. After reviewing the resources on Inca architecture, students can work in teams to design and build a model of an Inca terrace farm, bridge, or city using clay, cardboard, or recycled materials. They can also create a digital model using CoSpaces reviewed here or Tinkercad reviewed here. Encourage students to explain how their design reflects the Incas' use of geography and engineering skills. Using the quipu worksheets, students learn how the Incas recorded numbers using knots. Students then create their own quipu messages using string and assign numerical or symbolic meanings.Mayan Crystal - Gen-Z Media
Grades
3 to 7tag(s): mayans (32), mexico (46), mysteries (24), myths and legends (42)
In the Classroom
Have students research a Mayan myth or legend and turn it into a short comic strip. They can illustrate their own interpretation of the story or retell a scene from Mayan Crystal in comic form. The comic strip could also be made online using ToonyTool reviewed here or Canva Comic Strip Templates reviewed here. Since Mayan Crystal features immersive soundscapes, challenge your students to create their own sound effects for a short scene using everyday objects. They can record sounds or perform them live in small groups. Ask students to write a new ending or an extra scene for Mayan Crystal. How would they change the story if a key event had played out differently? Assign students different characters from the podcast and have them act out a key scene or participate in a mock interview as their character.African American Activists of the 20th Century - Library of Congress
Grades
6 to 12tag(s): african american (119), black history (135), civil rights (219), martin luther king (46)
In the Classroom
Have students select an activist from the website, research their life and achievements, and create an interactive digital timeline using tools like Canva, reviewed here or Class Tools, reviewed here. Have students choose an activist and prepare a short presentation or monologue in character, sharing their achievements and struggles. Turn the classroom into a "living museum," with students acting as historical figures. Using the website images as inspiration, students can create hand-drawn or collaged posters highlighting an activist's achievements, including key facts, quotes, and visuals. Ask students to select an activist, research their contributions, and create a short podcast episode using Acast, reviewed here or Podbean, reviewed here) explaining their importance.How This Film Erased Asian-Americans From Their Own Story - PBS Origins
Grades
9 to 12This site includes advertising.
In the Classroom
Students can watch the movie that is referenced in the YouTube video. Students can research other videos that feature the white savior complex. Finally, students use Google Drawings reviewed here to compare and contrast the true story of Chol Soo Lee's arrest to the one portrayed in the movie.Kokoro: The Story of Sacramento's Lost Japantown - Google Arts and Culture
Grades
5 to 12tag(s): japan (64), japanese (56), photography (131)
In the Classroom
Students can use Timeline Infographic Templates reviewed here to highlight important events in Japantown. Students can use Kiddle reviewed here to learn more about the Japanese notables that are featured on the site. Finally, students can use Google Drawings reviewed here to create a cause-and-effect diagram to highlight why Japantown became forgotten.Indomitable: The Tommy Kono Story - Google Arts and Culture
Grades
5 to 12tag(s): cultures (226), japanese (56), religions (114), sports (85)
In the Classroom
Students can use MyLens reviewed here to highlight important events in Tommy Kono's life. Students can compare Tommy Kono to another famous weightlifter using ClassTools Interactive Venn Diagrams reviewed here. Students can use Kiddle reviewed here to research more about Buddhism.We are not a Stereotype - Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Center
Grades
9 to 12In the Classroom
Students can review the videos and post questions and comments on Padlet reviewed here. Students can use Google Keep reviewed here for notetaking. Students can find other videos on the same topics and compare and contrast them using Google Drawings reviewed here.Celebrating Asian American Experiences in the Classroom - NYC Public Schools
Grades
5 to 12In the Classroom
Students can review the resources and post questions and comments on Padlet reviewed here. Students can research using Kiddle reviewed here to highlight important/notable Asian Americans featured in the resources. Finally, students can conduct a virtual interview with an Asian American. Record the interviews using Adobe Podcast reviewed here.A Different Asian American Timeline - A Different Asian American Timeline
Grades
9 to 12tag(s): timelines (57)
In the Classroom
Students can use MyLens reviewed here to highlight important events during an assigned period. Students can use Figma reviewed here to compare and contrast time periods. Students can use Padlet reviewed here to post facts that they learned during each period.Jewish American Heritage Month - Library of Congress
Grades
4 to 12In the Classroom
Students can explore primary sources from the Library of Congress or the National Archives on Jewish American contributions. In pairs, they can analyze an artifact (ex., a historical photo, letter, or newspaper article) and present their findings. Assign students a prominent Jewish American figure (Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Albert Einstein, Emma Lazarus). They can research their impact using resources from the site and create a short podcast using Spotify for Podcasters, reviewed here or video using Adobe Express Video Maker, reviewed here. Students can also interview other students, as if they were that historical figure. Students can explore Jewish contributions to literature, science, politics, and civil rights and create digital slides with Visme, reviewed here or Genially, reviewed here highlighting key figures, inventions, or cultural traditions.Rise and Fall of the Mali Empire - BioGreat TV
Grades
5 to 12This site includes advertising.
In the Classroom
Students can use Google Keep, reviewed here to take notes about the video. Students can use Time Graphics Timeline Maker, reviewed here to create a timeline about the Mali Empire. Students can also research more about the leaders shared in the video.Mali: Elementary Lesson Plans - Virginia Department of Education
Grades
3 to 8tag(s): africa (170)
In the Classroom
Students can complete the lessons using the lesson plans provided. Students can use Book Creator reviewed here as a tool in writing about their life in the Mali Empire or to Market to Market. Students can use Figma reviewed here to create a cause-and-effect diagram outlining the formation and fall of the Mali Empire.Biography: Sundiata Keita of Mali - Ducksters
Grades
3 to 6This site includes advertising.
tag(s): africa (170)
In the Classroom
Students can create a book using Book Creator reviewed here. Students can use MyLens reviewed here to create a timeline of Sundiata's life and accomplishments. Finally, students can use Google Drawings reviewed here to compare and contrast Sundiata to another emperor.Ancient Classic Maya Music - MexicoLore
Grades
4 to 12tag(s): mayans (32), mexico (46), musical instruments (54)
In the Classroom
Students can research and identify different Maya musical instruments (drums, whistles, ocarinas, rattles). They can listen to recordings of similar instruments and discuss their sounds and possible uses. Students can make simple versions of Maya-style instruments using household materials (clay whistles, bottle maracas). Students can also explore how traditional Maya music has influenced modern music in Mexico and Central America. They can also research contemporary Maya communities still using ancient instruments and present their findings through a short slideshow using Google Slides reviewed here, a video using moovly reviewed here, or a poster. Working in small groups, students can create a short musical performance inspired by Maya music. They can use simple percussion instruments, vocals, or even body percussion to replicate rhythmic patterns that might have been used in Maya ceremonies.Writings of Ancient Maya - PBS LearningMedia
Grades
4 to 8This site includes advertising.
In the Classroom
Provide students with a chart of Mayan glyphs and their meanings. Then, give them a short "coded" message using real Mayan glyphs and challenge them to decode it. Doing this introduces them to the complexity of the Mayan writing system in a fun, interactive way. Hide "glyphs" around the classroom or school and have students work in teams to "excavate" and analyze their findings. They must hypothesize what the symbols might mean based on context clues and prior knowledge, like real archaeologists decoding ancient texts. In small groups or individually, students can create a mini "Maya codex" by folding paper in accordion style and illustrating a short story using glyphs and pictures. They can write a key to explain their symbols, like archaeologists do when deciphering ancient texts!The History of Ancient Egypt - Smithsonian Channel
Grades
4 to 8This site includes advertising.
tag(s): asia (136), egypt (59), myths and legends (42), pyramids (24)
In the Classroom
After watching videos about pharaohs, students can imagine they are rulers of Ancient Egypt. They can write a journal entry or speech describing their daily life, responsibilities, and accomplishments. They can even present it in character, wearing a paper pharaoh's crown! Turn learning into a fun trivia game. Use key facts from the videos to create a Quizizz, reviewed here or Baamboozle, reviewed here, where students can test their knowledge in teams. Add bonus challenges like "act out a scene" or "draw a mystery object" for extra fun. Students can participate in a "choose your own adventure" activity where they must make decisions as an ancient Egyptian (ex., choosing a job, where to live, what to trade). Students can explain and compare their choices to what they learned in the videos. Students can work in groups to create a short skit about a historical event or daily life in Ancient Egypt. They can act as scribes, merchants, builders, or even gods and goddesses, bringing history to life through performance.Ancient Egypt Map Lesson Pack - Twinkl
Grades
3 to 7tag(s): asia (136), egypt (59), map skills (64), maps (224)