In Maya, Aztec, and Inca, students investigate three Mesoamerican civilizations. They explore ruins of ancient temples and pyramids, as they learn about Maya culture, including Maya knowledge of astronomy and mathematics. They learn about the warrior culture of the Aztec and the city of Tenochtitlán, as well as about the complex Inca network of roads and the city of Machu Picchu. Students also learn about the Spanish conquistadors, the demise of the Aztec and Inca, and the mystery of the disappearance of the Maya.
This unit includes a Student Reader, Timeline Image Cards, and Teacher Guide, providing Guided Reading Supports and the following Additional Activities: map reading questions; a virtual tour of a Maya city; a Maya math game; a slide show about Aztec art; an Aztec sculpture project; domain vocabulary exercises; an exploration of Inca art; a virtual field trip to Machu Picchu; and a Unit Assessment.