1. Teaching Literacy Through Digital Storytelling

2. Recall: Recall: Remember facts Who were the Aztecs and what were they known for? Where did they live? What is a conquistador?

6. What kind of man was Velaquez? How do you know?

8. …to Mexico

9. In past cultures we have studied, what happened when Europeans travel to “discover” or explore a “new” place? What has the interaction been like between the native people and the European settlers?

10. February of 1519

17. What do you think Cortes is going to do? What is his plan?

18. Cortez Heads Inland

22. Give your opinion: Do you think he was smart to be so kind?

24. You are Cortes You have the capital city of the Aztec Empire under control and have taken their leader captive. The Aztecs are unhappy with you and now a fleet of the Spanish navy is sailing to arrest you. What is your plan?

26. You are the Aztecs These strangers have come into your city. Your leader gave them your gold and other precious gifts, and these strangers took your leader hostage. Now, the leader of the Spaniards, Cortes, and 300 of his best soldiers have gone to battle the Spanish army at the shore 200 miles away, but left the rest of his army in your city. You are angry with your leader for letting them in and angry with the Spanish for trying to take over your empire. What is your plan? Empathize Put yourself in someone else’s shoes Empathize: Put yourself in someone else’s shoes

29. How did Cortes and the Spanish conquer the Aztecs?

31. If Cortes and the Spaniards never entered Mexico, how might Mexico be different today?

32. Bullying the Bully: The Aztecs used to conquer other kingdoms and native groups and collect tribute from them. Now the Spanish conquered and collected tribute from the Aztecs. Does the fact that the Aztecs bullied other groups into doing what they wanted make what the Spanish did to the Aztecs okay?