Week 4: Aztec, Inca, Maya and the Conquistadores

Homeschooling moms must fill up their knowledge bank in order to give the best to their kids. The more mom knows, the better she can teach. Research these topics and share the general idea with younger kids. For older kids, you might invite them to pick a topic to research.

Hernan Cortes

Montezuma

Topics for Week 4

Hernan Cortes
Montezuma
The Aztec Civilization
The Mayan Civilization
Francisco Pizarro
Incan Civilization
Machu Pichu

Discussion Questions

Cortes

How did Cortes succeed in his conquest of the Aztec when he had fewer men and the population was hostile?

The Aztec Civilization

What bad omens did the Aztec witness before the coming of Cortes?

Where is Tikal?

The Incan Civilization

Where is Coricancha?

What are the wise men of the Incan civilization called?

How did the Incan civilization keep records?

Read about Bartolome De Las Casas and discuss his advocacy for the humane treatment of the indigenous.

Resources

Books (all links go to Goodreads)

The Hero Twins: Against the Lords of Death

Aztec, Încă, Maya (DK Eyewitness)

The Feathered Serpent and the Five Suns Read on YouTube

Malinche

Encyclopedia of the Ancient Americas

Free E-Books

Hernando Cortez

The Crimson Conquest

The White Conquerors

Videos

The Rise of the Aztec Empire

The Rise and Fall of the Inca Empire

Is the Lost City of El Dorado a Myth or Real History (This is just the trailer)

Activities

Learn about Maya pictographs

Make a feathered serpent 3D art project

Make an aztec fan (see below)

This lesson does not attempt to cover the Indigenous civilizations for the duration of their power. For more in-depth coverage of these ancient civilizations please see our Ancient History Lessons

Cortes Image Credit: Anonymous Artist / Wikimedia Commons / Public Domain

Montezuma Image Credit: Antonio Rodriguez / Wikimedia Commons / Public Domain