The World and Its People

Chapter 6: Mexico

Web Activity Lesson Plans

Introduction
In this chapter, students read about the land and people of Mexico. Two important pre-Columbian civilizations developed in Mexico: the Aztec and the Maya. They both demonstrated advances in architecture, the arts, and science.

Lesson Description
Students will visit a site about ancient Mexico. They will explore maps of the cities of ancient Mexican civilizations, and will explore a historical document describing the Aztec leader Moctezuma. After answering several questions, students will create an illustration depicting a scene from Aztec life that might have accompanied this document.

Instructional Objectives

1. The student will be able to analyze information from a map.
2. The student will be able to interpret a historical primary source document.

Student Web Activity Answers

1. Lake Texcoco
2. It had many canals running through the chinampas of the city, much like the canals found in Venice, Italy.
3. The Aztec told Cortés that since they were away from their homeland, they may have made mistakes. They stopped sacrificing humans to their gods.
4. For each meal, many different dishes were prepared. Moctezuma sat on a cushion made of leather in a great hall. He sat at a distance from five or six caciques, to whom he offered his food. A servant was always present to wait on him.
5. Students' pictures may vary.