Latin America Project
The Influence of the Maya, Aztec, and Inca
What were their influences on modern peoples?
As the Europeans began to expand their Empires and trade routes they found a "New World" as
they explored the Americas. "The New World was, in a sense, a European invention." As these
explorers searched for new ways to reach the Far East they stumbled upon native peoples such as
the Maya, the Aztecs, and the Inca. They were not aware that this part of the world existed which
meant that they also had no knowledge that there were civilizations that had existed for centuries.
Part of learning about the history of civilizations is to look at their impact upon our lives today.
You will be split into groups of four. Each group will examine one of the three civilizations.
Each student in that group will play an integral part in developing a presentation to the class
about the history, geography, culture, and influence of that civilization. During each
presentation, you will be expected to complete graphic organizer as it relates to the other
civilizations.
The Task
Each group will be assigned a civilization (the Inca, the Aztecs or the Maya) that they will be
responsible for reporting to the class about.
As a group, decide who will take which roles from the following:
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The Archaeologist/Architectural Historian
This person is responsible for reporting to the group about where this civilization was
found. What modern country/countries would you visit? How large was the civilization?
What types of structures did they have? What structures may still be seen today?

The Anthropologist
These persons are responsible for reporting to their group about the culture of the society.
What was their religion like? What was their class structure, if any? What was the
government structure? What role did government play in the society? What science or
technologies did they have? What was the economy like? What did they eat?

Historian
This person will help the group with an overview of the history of this society. Who were
their important leaders? How do we know what we know about their civilization (books,
oral history, etc.)? Who were the western explorers who had early contact with the
civilization? What historical events are important to the society?

Sociologist
This person will examine the modern people that are ancestors to the civilization. Who
are they? Do they practice traditions from the past? Are they preserving the past? How?
Where are the modern ancestors found?
After using the internet and print resources (at least -2- each), each group will prepare a
presentation for the class about their civilization. Each presentation must give a brief summary of
the civilization as well as that civilization's influence on modern peoples.
Internet Resources (Start with these!)
Maya
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http://www.civilization.ca/civil/maya/mmc01eng.html#menu -Mayan General Information
http://mayas.mrdonn.org/dailylife.html Daily life in the Maya empire
http://www.mysteriousplaces.com/mayan/TourEntrance.html Tour of Chichen Itza (architecture)
http://www.michielb.nl/maya/astro.html Mayan astronomy, math, writing, calendar
http://www.dirla.com/hondurasmaya.htm General information about all aspects of Mayan life
http://www.ballgame.org/sub_section.asp?section=1&sub_section=1 Culture, artwork, architecture
Aztec
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http://www.indians.org/welker/aztec.htm - Overview and some cultural aspects of the Aztecs and History
http://atschool.eduweb.co.uk/wickham/topics/aztecs/aztecs.html A brief history of the Aztecs
http://library.thinkquest.org/27981/ Culture and history
http://www.elbalero.gob.mx/kids/history/html/conquista/aztecas.html Culture and history
http://encarta.msn.com/encyclopedia_761593151_1/Aztec_Empire.html Covers all aspects of the Aztecs
http://www.ballgame.org/sub_section.asp?section=1&sub_section=1 Culture, artwork, architecture
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http://incas.mrdonn.org/empire.html Daily life in the Inca empire
http://incas.perucultural.org.pe/english/index.htm History, technology and social structure of the Incas
http://peru.info/e_ftogeneraleng.asp?ids=1685&ic=2&pdr=848&jrq=2.5.3 Basic overview of the Incas
http://trailingincas.info/ History, society, technology and religion of the Incas
http://www.mythicjourneys.org/bigmyth/myths/english/eng_inca_culture.htm The Inca culture
http://www.nationalgeographic.com/inca/index.html National Geographic: Inca Mummies: Secrets of a Lost World
[Go to Photo Galleries for Inca Culture, Machu Picchu, and Peru Today; also go to News and Exhibitions for other
useful information
Inca
Name_____________________________________
Project Rubric and Checklist
Your project will be graded on the following:
1) Content: Knowledge shared from this activity with the class. (50 points)
Should include, but is not limited to, (use the task descriptions as your guide):
Each sub-category worth 10 points
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Where the civilization is found and what the geography and architecture is like
Who the important leaders of the civilization were/are
How the society (culture) was constructed
The ancestors of this civilization - Who are they? Where are they found?
What the impact of this civilization was on the modern world
2) Graphic Organizer (30 points)
Each sub-category worth 10 points
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Clear, concise, and complete
Information synthesized from presentations
At least -2- print and -2- non-print resources utilized and documented per group member
3) Cooperation and Creativity (20 points)
Each sub-category worth 10 points
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Creative presentation techniques that involves entire class in learning opportunity
Involves all members of the group
Total Grade:
/100 pts.
Latin America
Project
6th Grade Energy
2010/2011
Latin America Graphic Organizer
Culture
Aztec
Maya
Inca
Government
(including important
leaders)
Culture
(including family
practices and
religions)
Historical
Significance
(including
architecture)
Impact
On Today’s
Society