1. Warm-Up
Based on these images, what are 2 assumptions you can make about life in Central & South America before Europeans arrival?
Be prepared to share!

2. What do you already know about the Maya, Aztec, and Inca?

3. Pre-Columbian America: the Maya, Aztec & Inca
Learning Goal 2: Compare the major political, economic, social and technological developments of the Mayan, Incan and Aztec civilizations. (6A)

4. Maya, Aztec, and Inca Central & Southern American civilizations
Time period ranges from 200 BC to 1521 CE
Overlaps with the Roman Empire, Medieval Europe, Byzantine Empire, Islamic Empire, Tang & Song Dynasties, the Mongols – and more!
Well-known for their monumental structures, human sacrifice, and farming techniques

5. Aztec, Maya & Inca Comparison Chart

6. Step 1: Partners Independent reading OR reading aloud to each other
You will be assigned 1 civilization & 1 partner. Your task: fully and accurately complete your civilization’s column
What this should look like:
Independent reading OR reading aloud to each other
If helpful, marking up your text with notes or underlines
Using your partner as a resource, a teammate: ask each other questions
Making sure each other has all the necessary information
Later you will be teaching this information to your classmates so be thorough!

7. Step 1: Partners 8th In partners, complete the column for your assigned group
Aztec
(blue)
Maya
(green)
Inca
(white)

8. Step 2: Groups *Papers
In small groups, you will each TEACH your assigned civilization
You need to read & explain each aspect of the civilization
What this should look like:
2 roles: “student teacher and student
One student “teacher” talking
Other students asking questions to clarify
Students recording their information as the student ‘teacher” talks

9. Maya, Aztec, and Inca: Comparison
When your group is done, you should begin on the back- comparison assignment

10. Aztecs Ruled by kings Trade routes, cacao beans as currency
Frequently traded with the Maya
Polytheistic
Human sacrifice & bloodletting
Centered around the city of Tenochtitlan (modern day Mexico City) built on an island in Lake Texcoco
Chinampa method of agriculture

11. Tenochtitlan

12. Chinampa method of farming (Aztec)

13. Maya Central America City states (often at war) Polytheistic
Human sacrifice & bloodletting
Believed gods required nutrients from humans
Only used prisoners of war (POWs) for
Cities as trade centers and to worship gods
Filled with monumental structures
Developed accurate calendar(s)
Monumental structures
Maize = main crop
Slash-and-burn agriculture

14. Slash and burn agriculture (Maya)

16. Inca South America Polytheistic Divided into social classes
Mita: labor tax paid by the commoners
Government controlled economy
Terrace farming so they could grow crops despite the mountains
Advanced engineers
Machu Picchu, suspension bridges
Built elaborate road system through mountains
Developed quipu for keeping records
No written language!

17. Inca roads & suspension bridges

18. Terrace farming

19. Quipu (for record keeping)
Could have as many as 1500 strings!
How meaning was determined:
Color shades
Position on string
Distance from center
Type of knot
Used for recording numerical data

20. Next step: Matching Activity
Working with your elbow partner*, correctly categorize the descriptors with their correct civilization
When you are done, raise your hand
Coach Gates or Mrs. Mitrowski/Hart will check yours
After, you will complete the written comparison on the back of your chart & complete the map (map will be projected).
*middle row will be assigned partners

21. Map: Maya, Aztec, and Inca
You can remember it through AMI:
Aztec
Maya
Inca

22. Step 2: Groups 7th Tyreek, Danielle, Riley, Michael
Jonathan, Andrew, Alex, Jeni
Zach K, Erika, Tristan, Ashley
Adrianna, Jalen, Kacy, Abby
Mark A, Cameron, Preslie
Sanjana, Jacky, Xavier
Jason, Aaron E, Mark K, Hunter
Jose, Zach T, Jakiya, Ashlee

23. Exit Ticket First: Did we accomplish our learning goal?
Which civilization would you prefer to have lived in: the Maya, Aztec, or Inca? In a well-written sentence or short paragraph, answer the prompt with at least three reasons to support your choice.
What are things that would impact your decision?

24. Video Clip Inca Engineers: Machu Picchu
The Rise of the Incas
What happened to the Aztecs?
Rise and Fall of the Maya

25. Step 1: Partners 7th In partners, complete the column for your assigned group
Aztec
(blue)
Maya
(green)
Inca
(white)

26. Next step Pass forward your readings Aztec: Corner by the door
Inca: Front of room by screen
Maya: Right by chalkboard/window