the aztecsmrjaskot-ushistory.weebly.com/uploads/1/1/0/8/110897967/day_3... · aztecs land...

TheAztecs

and their inventions

Click here to navigate to the History with Mr. E Social Studies Store!

Click here for “I Can” Statements and Logs!

Click here to integrate math, map, and geography products!

Click here for Interactive Student Notebooks!

https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/History-With-Mr-E-A-Social-Studies-Professional

https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/History-With-Mr-E-A-Social-Studies-Professional

https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/History-With-Mr-E-A-Social-Studies-Professional/Category/-I-Can-Statements-Logs




https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/History-With-Mr-E-A-Social-Studies-Professional/Category/-Geography-Maps-Math-




https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/History-With-Mr-E-A-Social-Studies-Professional/Category/-Interactive-Notebooks-




Instructions:

1.) This activity is fairly straightforward, however please feel free to modify or tweak to meet your needs.

2.) I typically place the four different exhibits around the room (maybe 8 exhibits, 2 for each station to help with traffic) and have

students navigate around the room to try to complete their handout.

3.) Students should read through the invention sheet and try to figure out which “box” is the focus of their invention. Then, they

should complete the short assignment for the invention in the box. They are fairly easy to figure out as they focus on key words.

4.) There is an alternate paper that you can use as well -- it provides more space for student answers and even a space to

“sketch” out the invention. This will need to be copied front and back. There is also a key included on the last page to help you

out!

5.) Finally, I included a writing assignment that I like to do once students finish - they have the choice which invention is their

favorite and write a journal entry where they are involved with the invention!

6.) Enjoy!

©HistorywithMr.E-ASocialStudiesProfessionalSpecializinginAmericanandWorldHistoryforlateElementary,Middle,andearlyHighSchool

AztecsLand throughout the Aztec empire was not rich farmland. In fact, since the empire’s capital was located on an island, Tenochtitlan, much of the land was swampy and flooded very easily. However, the Aztecs continued to find innovative ways to grow their own food; they were successful too, since at their height the Aztecs were able to feed the residents of Tenochtitlan with an astonishing 88 million pounds of corn each year. This amazing feat was no accident! Instead, it was the result of a brilliant invention known as a chinampa, or floating garden. In a chinampa, the Aztecs grew corn, beans, squash, and even raised animals like chickens and turkeys!

Chinampas were difficult to create, but once established they provided the flat, fertile land that the Aztecs desired. To create these agricultural wonders, areas of approximately 90 feet by 8 feet (27.4 meters by 2.4 meters) were staked out in the lake. Then, these stakes were joined by poles intertwined with reeds, twigs and branches to create a box-like enclosure. This rectangular enclosure was then filled with mud, rocks, and other decaying matter to raise it above the surface of the lake. Trees were planted around the border to help anchor the floating garden to the bottom of the sea or stream. To provide essential nutrients to their crops, the Aztecs used human manure as fertilizer. This also helped to keep the city clean since waste was dumped here!

F L O A T I N G G A R D E N S

Can you point out the chinampas in these pictures?

The


U N I V E R S A L E D U C A T I O N

Areyousickandtiredofbeingforcedtoattendschooleveryday?Well,youcanblametheAztecs!Itwasthiscivilizationwhofirstdevelopedasystemofcompulsoryeducationforalloftheirchildren.Aztecchildrenbegantheireducationathome.Girlslearneddomesticchoresfromtheirmotherswhileboysweretaughtskilledtradesbytheirfathers.BoyswerealsoexpectedtobecomewarriorsintheAztecarmy.Inordertopreparetheyoungfightersforthismightytasktheyoftenhadtoendureexposuretoextremetemperatures.TheAztecsbelievedthishelpedboysdevelopa“heartofstone,”calledyolteotl.

Doyoulikesingingintheschoolchoir?Well,theAztecsdid!Fromaroundage12to15,allchildrenwererequiredtoattendcuicacalli,aschoolwherestudentslearnedceremonialsongs,chants,andstudiedthehistoryoftheAztecpeople.Toensureallchildrenwereinattendance,eldersescortedtheyoungscholarstoandfromschooleveryday.

Schoolingendedforgirlsaroundtheageof15,butcontinueduntilaroundage20forboys.Followingcuicacalli,boyswouldcontinuetheirlearningataschoolknownastelpochcalli.Here,boysstudiedmilitaryfightingtechniques.Theboyswhodemonstratedthebestleadershipqualitieswerepeggedtofollowcourseworkdesignedforfuturegenerals.Whereastheseboys’educationfocusedsolelyonmilitarytraining,wealthysonsattendedadifferentschoolcalledcalmécac.Here,theseboyshadtheirmilitarytrainingenhancedwithastudyofthehumanitiessuchasarchitecture,math,paintingandhistory.Itwasfromthecalmécacthatpriestsandgovernmentofficialswereoftenchosenfrom.

Which of the Aztec schools is this picture showing?

AztecsThe


S O C C E R

Called ollama by the Aztecs, this precursor to modern-day soccer (or called

football by most the world) was one of the greatest Aztec inventions. The

game was played on a field known as a tlachtli. The tlachtli was in the shape

of an “I” and had high walls on all sides that were around 15 feet tall. Near the

top of these walls were two stone rings; these rings were believed to represent

sunrise and sunset. The goal of ollama was to throw a small rubber ball, which

represented the moon, through the stone rings using only one’s hips, elbows,

knees, and feet.

Playing ollama could be extremely dangerous since the Aztec aggressive and

warlike nature permeated into everyday life. The contestants wore protective

gear because violent collisions were common. During halftime or intermission,

the Aztecs frequently performed human sacrifices to please the Sun God. Too,

an ollama match often ended with the members of the losing team being

decapitated. Because of its brutal ending, many believe that ollama was not so

much a “game” as it was a way to settle long-standing disagreements

between families or neighboring tribes.

A citizen who was not playing in an ollama match could still be involved by

gambling on the outcome. In fact, Aztec children were frequently warned

about not only becoming addicted to playing ollama but also gambling on its

outcome. Ancient reports exist that

tell of Aztec citizens betting so

heavily on the game that they were

forced to sell themselves into

slavery to pay their debts!

Do these images make sense now that you know about ollama?

AztecsThe


R E D

Today, the dye from the cochineal beetle is still used

as red food coloring!

One of the lesser-known inventions that the Aztecs brought to the world was a simple color: red. Prior to the Spanish arrival in South America, and their ensuing conquest of the Aztecs in the early 16th century, Europe and the eastern hemisphere had never seen anything dyed with the bright, vibrant hue we associate with “red.” The most related color that could be produced in Europe was with a plant extract known as madder red. This produced a color that was more pale than the Aztec red. When the Spanish saw the Aztec shade of red they instantly became mesmerized. Do you know what made the Aztec shade of red so different from what the Europeans experienced? It is simple - it comes from a tiny insect known as the cochineal beetle.

The cochineal is a tiny beetle that lives strictly on the prickly pear cacti, a type of cactus, native to modern day Mexico and the American southwest. Roughly twenty-five percent of the beetle’s body consists of carminic acid - this acid is what produces the red dye. While this is the source of red dye, do you have any idea how many bugs are needed to produce an adequate amount to dye clothing? Aztec designers needed around 70,000 insects to produce just one pound of red dye!

The Spanish believed this dye would be a valuable commodity back in Europe. They immediately began exporting this “liquid gold” back to Europe where it became a staple in their economy for over 300 years. The dye became so expensive that it was only used for royal matters. Red robes worn by the Catholic cardinals and the red coats of officers in the British army are some of the items that used this dye.

AztecsThe


AztecsThe


Name _____________________________________________________________________________________Period _______

Invention: __________________________________________ Invention: _________________________________________

Invention: _________________________ Invention: _______________________

Cochineal: _____________________________________________

_______________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________

Why were the Spanish so enthralled with this discovery?

______________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________

How was this invention used in Europe?

___________________________________________________

___________________________________________________

___________________________________________________

ollama: _______________________________________________

_______________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________

Describe three things you might notice when watching ollama:

1.) ___________________________________________________

___________________________________________________

2.) ___________________________________________________

___________________________________________________

3.) ___________________________________________________

____________________________________________________ How was Ollama was an important part of Aztec life?

_______________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________

cuicacalli: _____________________________________________

_______________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________

telpochcalli: ____________________________________________

________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________

calmécac: ______________________________________________

________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________

Why wouldn’t Aztec children be late to (or miss) school?

_________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________

_____________________________________

chinampas: ______________________________________________

_________________________________________________________

How would a chinampa be built? _______________________

_________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________

What “dual-purpose” function did the chinampa serve?

_________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________

_______________________________________

Directions: Navigate around the room to uncover four major inventions created by the Aztecs. As you read about each invention, figure out which box this invention belongs in and complete its short assignment!


Name _____________________________________________________________________________________Period _______

Directions: Now that you have learned about four of the greatest Aztec inventions, which one is your favorite? Imagine you are a child in an Aztec family and you are writing a daily journal entry where you describe an interaction with this invention! For example, are you watching an ollama match? Maybe you are attending a class in cuicacalli? Perhaps you are making red dye from the cochineal beetle? Or maybe you are building or caring for a chinampa? Whatever you choose as your favorite, be sure to include at least FOUR essential details about the invention. To make it clear what you are considering as essential details, underline each detail as you use it!

Date: _____________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Sincerely,


Invention: _________________________________________________________________________________________________

cuicacalli: ________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

telpochcalli: ______________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

calmécac: _______________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

Why wouldn’t Aztec children be late to (or miss) school?

_______________________________________________________

____________________________________

Invention: ___________________________

____________________________________________________

chinampas: _____________________________________________

________________________________________________________

How would a chinampa be built? ___________________________

__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

What “dual-purpose” function did the chinampa serve?

__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

Sketch a picture of this major Aztec invention and be sure to include a caption!

Caption:


Caption:

Name _____________________________________________________________________________________Period _______

Directions: Navigate around the room to uncover four major inventions created by the Aztecs. As you read about each invention, figure out which box this invention belongs in and fill complete its short assignment!

AztecsThe

and their inventions Invention: _______________________


ollama: __________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________


1.) _____________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________

2.) _____________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________

3.) _____________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________

Ollama was an important piece of Aztec life. How do you

know? __________________________________________________

_______________________________________

____________________________

Invention: _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Cochineal: _______________________________________________

_________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________

Why were the Spanish so enthralled with this discovery?

_________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________


_________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________

Invention: ____________________________


Caption:


Caption:

AztecsThe

and their inventions Invention: _______________________


AztecsThe


Name _____________________________________________________________________________________Period _______

Invention: ___________________________ Invention: ___________________________

Invention: ______________ Invention: _______________

Cochineal: _______________________________

_________________________________________

_________________________________________

Why were the Spanish so enthralled with this discovery? _____________________

_________________________________________

_________________________________________

_________________________________________


_____________________________________

_____________________________________

_____________________________________

ollama: _________________________________

_________________________________________

_________________________________________


1.) _____________________________________

_____________________________________

2.) _____________________________________

_____________________________________

3.) _____________________________________

_____________________________________

Ollama was an important piece of Aztec life. How do you know? _______________

_________________________________________

_________________________________________

cuicacalli: _______________________________

_________________________________________

_________________________________________

telpochcalli: _________________________

_________________________________________

_________________________________________

calmécac: ____________________________

_________________________________________

_________________________________________

Why wouldn’t Aztec children be late to (or miss) school?_________________________

_________________________________________

____________________________

chinampas: ______________________________

_________________________________________

HOw would a chinampa be built? _______

_____________________________________

_________________________________________

_________________________________________

_________________________________________

_________________________________________

What “dual-purpose” function did the chinampa serve?_________________________________________

_________________________________________

_________________________________________ ____________________________

KEY

Universal Education

school for children aged 12-15 where students learned songs, chants, and studied history

military schools for boys from 15 to 20. focused of military training and as a place to pick young leaders for military positions

military school for wealthy students that also taught advanced subjects, like math, painting, history, and architecture.

because the elders walked them to and from school! no skipping school!

Floating Garden

a floating garden type structure built to create level, fertile soil in the Aztec swampy land

area in swamp or still-water area would be staked off, then filled in between the stakes with sticks, mud, rocks to build up the ground. the enclosure was then leveled and was used to plant crops and raise animals

human waste was used as fertilizer, so crops benefited from the nutrients and the people were able to easily dispose of their waste.

Soccer

precursor to modern-day soccer. Game played in a “I” shaped field with stone rings on the upper sides. Players tried to get a rubber ball through rings.

- aggressive, war-like behavior- beheading of the loser- wearing of protective gear- a dispute being settled- people gambling or placing bets

losers were beheaded; people often gambled away children; it was used to settle disputes

The Color Red

a tiny beetle full of carminic acid that was used by the Aztecs for red dye

they had never seed this bright, vibrant shade of red before.

used for red cardinal robes and for the red officer coats for those in the British army.


the aztecsmrjaskot-ushistory.weebly.com/uploads/1/1/0/8/110897967/day_3... · aztecs land...

Documents