Spanish Conquests
Notetaking lesson from textbook
Chapter 20 Section 1
Begin by setting up your paper for Cornell
notes.
Essential Question
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Summary
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Your notes will be turned in as part of your
Exploration Study guide. They will be due on
the day of the Exploration test.
Essential Question: “Who are the primary
people and where are the primary places of
Spanish conquests in the New World?”
Vocabulary: 14 words
Hernando Cortes, conquistadors, South America,
Aztecs, Montezuma, Malinche, Mexico,
Tenochtitlan, Francisco Pizarro, Atahualpa,
Cajamarca, New Spain, mestizo, encomienda
Begin on page 554 and read about Hernando
Cortes. Analyze the map on page 555 too. As
you read, take notes on what you think help
to answer your essential question. Include
any statements that define the vocabulary
terms as well. Take about 6 minutes in class
right now. I encourage you to use more time
at home if needed. This PowerPoint will be
available on my web page.
Now go back over your notes and create at
least one “add-on.” This could be a simple
symbol or picture. This could be an additional
question you have about the topic. This could
be something you remember learning in a
previous class. Take 2 minutes right now in
class. I encourage you to add more at home if
needed.
Finish reading about Cortes and the Aztecs on
page 556. There is more vocabulary on this
page which will need to be defined. Use
context clues to help you. Take 5 minutes in
class right now. I encourage you do re-read
and do more at home.
Now take 2 minutes to create at least one
more “add-on”. Create a simple picture or
symbol, ask a question, or add an opinion or
other thought of your own.
Francisco Pizarro is our next major person to
read about. He is most famous for
conquering the Inca people in what we now
call Peru. Continue taking notes with main
ideas and defining vocabulary for about the
next 6 minutes. Cover as much of pages 556
and 557 as you can.
Just like before, take 2 minutes to create an
“add on” for this section. Is there a simple
picture or symbol you have in your mind? Do
you have additional questions or more you
would like to learn? Is there something else
this reading made you think about? A book
or movie? Write it down 
We are going to stop here for today. Now
that you understand the process, please take
some time at home to finish taking notes up
to page 559. Email me if you run into any
confusion or have any questions.
mlwessel@mpsaz.org