Though a trip to Mexico can be an immersion study in Aztec history, fun classroom activities can also teach children about history.
Throughout the central portion of Mexico, mainly from the 14th through 16th centuries, the Aztec empire and its culture played a dominant role in what is now Mexico City. The unique characteristics of the Aztecs provide ample opportunities to teach about the culture through classroom activities. Using hands-on activities as a learning tool can get students actively engaged in and intrigued by the study of this ancient cultural group.
Food and Cuisine
One activity that teaches about Aztec culture and illustrates the distinct diet of ancient cultures compared to today's world is to have an Aztec food day. To stay away from cooking in a classroom, use pre-made tortillas to help show how maize was a staple in the Aztec diet. Bring in maize or corn to have students grind in to powder. Let the students use a mortar and pestle or a rock and a large bowl to see how difficult it was to turn the maize in to edible items such as the tortillas. Use additional Aztec food items during the activity such as avocados, beans, tomatoes and sweet potatoes.
Money and Units of Measurement
The Aztecs utilized their own form of currency in the form of coins made out of gold. Though actual coins extremely expensive, you can use photos of the coins to teach students about the monetary system of the Aztecs. Have students make their own Aztec coins by using paper and paint. You can then roll this activity into lessons on counting or art history.
Another activity is to show students what the very ornate and intricate Aztec calendar looked like. Print out handout-sized copies for all students and have the class find dates that you ask them to them search for.
Time and Travel
The Aztec culture was known for being relatively advanced, technologically speaking, for the era in which the culture thrived. One of the more notable inventions the Aztecs used was the compass. A classroom activity for students would be to make their own compasses on paper, designing them to resemble the Aztec versions. To make this project more advanced, students can make even more realistic Aztec calendars by first forming the circular design or base of the calendar out of clay, as true Aztec calendars were made of stone with the symbols and numerical references etched on top. You can change this activity based on the age of your classroom.
Dress and Attire
Aztec culture was known for the elaborate and ornate masks and headdresses the Aztecs wore. For a mask activity, print out color copies of Aztec masks and provide each student with a color photo of an Aztec mask example. Allow the students to create masks using paper mache to create the base of the mask. Or, depending on the age and skill level of the students, students can simply cut out masks using paper, then use paints and markers to decorate the masks. For a headdress activity, have students recreate Aztec feather headdresses, worn by attaching feathers to a piece or wire or a paper cutout of a headband.
A more complex activity is to have students work in groups to make Aztec clothing by using fabric obtained at a fabric store and cutting and sewing the material to create either casual, formal or warrior Aztec attire. As with other projects replicating clothing and accessories, make sure to provide students with photographs to use as guides when designed and making their projects.
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