1. This task uses: ClassZone.com Learning Objective(s): 5.2.1 Describe the origins, characteristics, and expansion of indigenous cultures and groups that existed in the Americas prior to European exploration Counting: Calendars and Cords Mayas, Incas, Aztecs 1. You probably already know something about the great civilizations of Latin America. This quiz is an opportunity to check your prior knowledge before you start your explorations of the Maya, the Aztecs, and the Inca. After answering all of the questions, click "Check Your Answers.“ 2. Go to https://goo.gl/DP0Zdd (ClassZone: Three Great Civilizations)https://goo.gl/DP0Zdd 3.Click “Test Your Knowledge”. You and your shoulder partner take the test to check your knowledge before you start your explorations of the Maya, the Aztecs, and the Inca. 4. Share your findings.

2. Role of the Calendars Mayans and Aztecs Go to ClassZone: https://goo.gl/DP0Zddhttps://goo.gl/DP0Zdd This task uses: Learning Objective(s): 5.2.1 Describe the origins, characteristics, and expansion of indigenous cultures and groups that existed in the Americas prior to European exploration World History Counting: Calendars and Cords 2.Read the articles "The Maya: Ancient Timekeepers,“ and "Aztec Legends and Calendars” with your shoulder partner. Discuss the various calendars' roles in the daily lives and spiritual beliefs of each civilization's people. Discuss the multiple calendars used by some civilizations. 3. Use a graphic organizer http://goo.gl/0TeQ8l to organize facts about the role of each calendar before writing a short comparative essay.http://goo.gl/0TeQ8l 4. Click on the links and articles button to read additional information. 5. Go to www.slideshare.net and type in “Aztec” for additional information on slide show.www.slideshare.net

3. Comparative Essay Role of the Calendars Mayans and Aztecs Getting ready to write your comparative essay. 1. Review your organized facts from the graphic organizer. 2. Go to http://goo.gl/4NrbQM 3. Print a copy of the rubric for your use. 4. Follow the rubric to write a Compare/Contrast essay with 4 paragraph essay (topic sentence, first compare paragraph – Maya, second compare paragraph – Aztec, closing, personal account) using Microsoft Word. 5. Be sure to explain the various calendars' roles in the daily lives and spiritual beliefs of each civilization's people in your paragraphs. 6.When complete, save your document to the desktop. 7.Log into Blackboard, go to my Blackboard site and load your essay under the “Compare & Contrast” discussion board. Read and respond to one other student in your class. This task uses: Learning Objective(s): 5.2.1 Describe the origins, characteristics, and expansion of indigenous cultures and groups that existed in the Americas prior to European exploration Writing Task 1. Identify 2 of the main early settlers (empires). Compare and contrast their civilizations (ex. Government, inventions that provided help to them, ways they survived, religion, etc. ). Explain how today’s society has been influenced through each group’s way of life, culture, and experiences.

4. Comparative Essay Role of the Calendars Mayans and Aztecs 1. Ask your shoulder partner in your team to read and critique your work. 2. After peer revision, conference with the teacher. 3. Make any revision and complete final draft. 4. Use Microsoft PowerPoint to create a PowerPoint of your steps used in creating your comparative essay. 5. Type your steps into five slides. First one is your title frame. The other four frame should explain the parts of your comparative essay. 6. Revisit website for support or to copy images onto your PowerPoint. https://goo.gl/DP0Zddhttps://goo.gl/DP0Zdd 7. Save your PowerPoint to the desktop. 8. Go to my Blackboard site and load your PowerPoint in the “Role of the Calendars” discussion board. 9. View and comment on one other student’s PowerPoint that is not in your class. This task uses: Learning Objective(s): 5.2.1 Describe the origins, characteristics, and expansion of indigenous cultures and groups that existed in the Americas prior to European exploration Writing Task 1. Identify 2 of the main early settlers (empires). Compare and contrast their civilizations (ex. Government, inventions that provided help to them, ways they survived, religion, etc. ). Explain how today’s society has been influenced through each group’s way of life, culture, and experiences.