Aztec+Influence+in+Modern+Mexico

=Aztec Influence in Modern Mexico (Planning for Spring Unit)=

Web Resources on Aztec History
[|Field Museum Chicago Aztec Exhibit] [|History of Aztecs] [|The Mexica/ Aztec History] [|Aztec Entry from Encarta] [|History of Mexico Timeline] [|KidsKonnect.com] - after you get past the advertising and the list of dry facts about the Aztecs there's an extensive list of links to Aztec Websites.

Photographs
[|Indigenous Mexican Images]

Lesson Plans for Aztec History
[|EDSITEment] Aztec Webquest

Aztec Influence on Mexico Today:
[|Economics]

Modern Day Mexico
[|National Geographic] [|Mexican Govt. Site to Share With Kids] [|Huichol Yarn Art Examples] - This website could be used in conjunction with one of the projects in the "Hands on History Projects about the Ancient Aztecs", below.


 * = really good resource for this unit; could easily use it with fourth grade; should consider buying it if we don't own it.

Fenn School Library Books
[|Cities Then & Now] by Jim Antoniou - Shows two pages of modern day Mexico City with a translucent overlay of the city as it was in 1700. The largest baroque cathedral in the Americas is prominently displayed as well as the National Palace, both built on ruins of the Aztec palace.

[|* Hands-on History Projects about The Ancient Aztecs] by David C. King - Age appropriate art & cooking projects that have a direct relationship to the culture of the ancient Aztecs. The stories behind the projects are explained in two pages preceding each set of directions for the project. Tortillas, calendars, masks, and tin roosters would all make great projects to complement this unit.

__* Eyewitness Books Aztec Inca & Maya__ by Elizabeth Baquedano - we have a 1993 edition and need a newer edition. Great resource for artifacts & history.

[|* The Two Mountains: An Aztec Legend] retold by Eric Kimmel, illustrated by Loenard Everett Fisher The legend describes the origins of two mountains in the valley of Mexico. A story of young god/goddess lovers with comparisons to Adam & Eve. Gorgeous illustrations. A great read aloud to complement Aztec study, with a much-need pronunciation guide at the end of the book.

[|Aztec Art] by Esther Pasztory - an adult reference book with glossy reproductions and heavy text. Not appropriate for kids to read but could be used to show them Aztec Art and talk about it separately from the text. [|* National Geographic Investigates the Aztecs] This book describes the field of archaeology and how the history of the Aztecs is discovered through ruins, digs, and clues. Age appropriate with great photographs of archaeological finds in Mexico City. [|Daily Life in Ancient and Modern Mexico City] by Steve Cory, illustrated by Ray Webb, published in 1999. This is an age appropriate history book with illustrations (often cartoons) on each page, depicting a period in history beginning with the arrival of the Aztecs to modern day cultural celebrations, street vendors, and entertainers. Very few comparisons are made between ancient and modern times. Includes time line, list of books, and index, but no bibliography. [|Mexico: 40 Activities to Experience Mexico Past & Present] by Susan Milord - A book of very simple arts & crafts from all eras of Mexican history. Geared for younger kids, activities that are Aztec related include making a button snake, a codex book, and a embossed tin Sun decorations. A good history of each activity is included but the book's design is rather boring for browsing. [|Look What Came from Mexico], by Miles Harvey - Too young for research but it'd make a lovely read aloud as an introduction to the unit, with lovely photographs and focus on food, art, traditions, animals, holidays, etc.

[|* Teens in Mexico] by Brian Baumgart, 2007. This is an age appropriate book with fabulous photographs of teens living/working/schooling in Mexico today. Here's the description from Amazon.com: Mexico's young people are growing up in a country of contrasts. The lives of urban teens vary widely from those in rural areas. And while a small minority of wealthy families can afford private education, the latest technologies, and other luxuries, the majority of people live in poverty. Yet despite these struggles, Mexico's young people find escape and excitement in celebrating their heritage and traditions. Teens in Mexico is part of Global Connections, a series that uncovers the challenges, pastimes, and customs of teens around the world.

__Mexico the Land__, by Bobbie Kalman, 2002 - An overview of modern Mexico: landscape, earthquakes, volcanoes, ancient history, resources and industry, agriculture, transportation, cities, wildlife, and challenges. There are 3-4 beautiful modern day photographs on each page. This would be a good resource for a country report on Mexico but it's missing a bibliography.

__Mexico the People__, by Bobbie Kalman, 2002 - Cartoon representation of historic Mexico which is only 4 pages long. Photographs of people in modern Mexico are very good. Includes discussion of overpopulation, family life, clothing & costumes, religions, language, education, work, village life, farm life, city life, and heroes. Includes the "day in the life of" an urban school girl and her family.