The Aztec Empire

Hola 6th grade!

Please read the assignment below, then watch the following video clips as an introduction to our study of the Aztec Empire.  Post your comments by Wed, Nov 20th.  Enjoy!!

Aztec Empire & Culture Interesting Facts

Tenochtitlan (The Impossible City)


The Mayan civilization existed for more than 2,000 years before the Aztecs.  After watching both videos, answer the following:

Imagine that you are a Mayan transported 600 years into your future, from the golden age of the Mayans (AD 850) to the golden age of the Aztecs (AD 1450).

1.  What would you notice that would be similar in both civilizations?

2.  What would seem new and different to you about the Aztec people and culture?

3.  Explain why you would see similarities between these two civilizations AND why you would expect some differences.  

The Maya Calendar

Hello again 6th grade!

Please watch the following video clips and post your responses below.  Your posts are due by Friday, 11/8.  Enjoy!

Video 1:  The Maya Calendar

Video 2:  What is the Mayan Calendar?

Post your answers to the following questions below:  

1.  The Maya calendar is so complex and accurate that historians and scientists still study it today.  Why do you think the calendar was so important to the Maya?

2.  How is the Maya calendar similar to our own?

3.  How is it different? 

Remember!!

Complete sentences
Proper grammar and punctuation
Answers must be thorough to earn full points

Deciphering the Maya Codices

Hello 6th Grade!

Please post your responses after watching the video links below:

Breaking the Maya Code: The Maya Books

The Dresden Codex

How the Maya Hieroglyphs Are Written

1.  Imagine that another codex has just been discovered.  What story (or piece of history) would you like it to tell about the Maya?  Why?

2.  Describe the Dresden Codex.  What do you notice in the details?  Compare a Mayan codex to a book we might read today.  What is similar?  Different?

3.  What are your thoughts about the Mayan writing process?  How did watching this video make you feel and why?  How do you think the Mayan scribes prepared their materials and chose their glyphs?

Have fun, gang!  I selected these videos because of the interest you showed in class.  Hopefully this will answer some more of your questions!  :)

REMINDERS:
~ Your answers must be in complete sentences.
~ You MUST use correct capitalization and punctuation.  Spell check too, please!
~  Editing your answers = full credit.  No editing = partial credit.  We're in the 2nd quarter - you know better!


Your posts are DUE this FRIDAY, 10/25.        

Palenque

Hello Mayanists!

Please watch the following two video clips and read the short article on Palenque's Red Queen, then post your answers below.  Your posts are due by TUES, 10/15.  I look forward to hearing your thoughts!  Enjoy!  :)

The Coolest Stuff on the Planet - The Lost City of Palenque

Maya-3D.com | Palenque - Temple of the Inscriptions

Palenque's Red Queen

Questions:

1.  After watching the videos and reading the article, why do you think people - historians, scientists, anthropologists, students, etc. - are so interested in studying and learning more about the city-state of Palenque?   What makes it unique?

2.  What do you find the most interesting about Palenque?  Why? 

Temple of Inscriptions, Palenque

King Pacal's Funerary Mask

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Red Queen

The Popol Vuh

Hello 6th Graders!


Please watch the following video from the Smithsonian Institution (click on link) and think about the questions listed below.  Post your answers by Tues, Oct 8th.  You may need to watch the video a couple of times before answering!  Don't worry, it's short!



The Creation Story of the Maya


Answer the following questions: 

1.  How did they (the deities/gods) create the earth?
2.  What was the importance of the Ceiba Tree?
3.  What kinds of humans did the gods create and then destroy as failed attempts?  What had gone wrong?

Enjoy!  We'll talk more about this in class.  :)
 

The Olmec

Your assignment for this week is due on TUES, Oct 1st.  

 

1.  Watch the following video:  

The Olmecs : Secrets of the Ancient Olmecs

The entire documentary is about 48 minutes.  You only need to watch the first 10-15 minutes (or so!).  I just want you to see an introduction to the Olmec heads and their importance to the Olmec culture.  This pre-Maya civilization is famous for their ceremonial stone heads and the challenges of moving massive-sized rock many miles through swamps and jungles!  

2.  Then, read the following description of the Olmec Civilization (click on the link below):

The Ancient Olmec Civilization

After watching the video and reading the website (above), post your answer to the following question:

Question:  There are very few written records that tell us about the Olmec civilization, so why do you think it's important that we try to learn more about them?  

Remember to:  

*  Answer in complete sentences.
*  Check your spelling and punctuation.  

Map Projections

Hello 6th grade geographers!

Please watch the following video clips and post your answers to the questions below.  Enjoy!

Map Projections of the Earth

Map Projections

How Globes Are Made

Question 1:  What challenges do cartographers face when trying to transfer the "real world" to a flat map?

Question 2:  In what situations would it be better to use a globe instead of a map?

Question 3:  In what situations would it be better to use a map instead of a globe?

P.S. Don't forget to use correct grammar, spelling, and punctuation!!  :) 

Your posts are due by Tuesday, 9/17. 

Map Activity

Political & Physical Map Activity - Due TUES, 9/10

Directions:

1.  Use the maps below to help answer the questions on the attached worksheet.

Worksheet:  Click here for the Map Activity

2.  You may print the worksheet, fill it out, and turn the worksheet in to me on Tuesday OR ...

3.  You may write your answers on a separate sheet of notebook paper and turn it in to me on Tuesday. 

4.  If you would like, you may post a comment or questions about this activity below.  Have fun!  :)

Political Map of Europe

Physical Map of Europe

                    

What Is Archaeology?

Due by FRIDAY, Sept 6th:

Click on the link titled "YouTube: What Is Archaeology?" under the The Stone Age & Rise of Civilization: Links & Resources section on the right.  Watch the video (about 6 minutes) and then post your answers to the two questions below.

Note:  Your responses MUST be in complete sentences with capital letters and appropriate punctuation.  Your post is worth 10 homework points.  Enjoy!!

Question 1:  Describe one or two new things you learned about the field of archaeology from the video.
Question 2:  Why do you think the field of archaeology is important in the study of Ancient Civilizations?

Welcome to 6th Grade Ancient Civilizations!

Welcome to 6th grade Ancient Civilizations!  Your first "blog" assignment is to do the following:

1.  Take some time to look over the list of links on the right side of the page (you are welcome to click on them to see more detail).  Think about some of the topics that catch your attention the most.  When you are ready, you will "post" a "response" to me telling me what interests you the most and why.  

2.  You must post your response in the following format:

     *  Complete sentences
     *  Start with capital letters; end in punctuation!
     *  Check your spelling!
     *  Your answer must have at least three (3) complete sentences. 
     *  Your post is worth 10 points!

P.S.  There is no right or wrong answer.  I am just looking to see that you can organize your thoughts.  :)

Mrs. S