Towering pyramids. An intriguing alphabet. A mysterious game played on a vast court as large as a football field.  These are just a few of the incredible achievements of the Ancient Maya, just one of three Pre-Columbian civilizations you will encounter in this class. In addition to exploring the geography of Mexico, Central and South America, you will learn about the history, culture, religion, and technological advances of the Maya, Aztec and Inca civilizations, as well as how the descendants of these civilizations live today.

Each week students will:
• view a recorded lesson that introduces the content
• view a recorded lesson that demonstrates the reading comprehension skill
• independently read and respond to a written text, video, or image
• practice rare-word vocabulary
• complete a challenge activity

In addition to the prerecorded lessons, I will provide a study exercise for each selection that focuses on a discreet study skill, such as summarizing, taking Cornell Notes, creating a content web, or using question-answer relationships to answer questions about a nonfiction text.

Sources for this class include articles, videos, and images from the National Geographic Resource Library and a variety of engaging materials.  These resources feature a variety of views and perspectives on the history and civilization of the Maya, Aztec, and Inca. What follows is a sample of the type of resources that will be used.

• Guillermo de Anda | The Maya Underworld  https://www.nationalgeographic.org/media/guillermo-de-anda-maya-underworld/
• Modern Day Maya https://www.nationalgeographic.org/media/modern-day-maya/
• Remains of a Thriving Civilization https://www.nationalgeographic.org/media/remains-thriving-civilization/
• Archaeologist and Anthropologist: Dr. Lisa J. Lucero https://www.nationalgeographic.org/article/real-world-geography-dr-lisa-j-lucero/
• Food Staple https://www.nationalgeographic.org/encyclopedia/food-staple/
• Aztec Civilization https://www.nationalgeographic.org/encyclopedia/aztec-civilization/
• Tenochtitlan https://www.nationalgeographic.org/encyclopedia/tenochtitlan/
• New Tunnel Discovered under Ancient Pyramid https://www.nationalgeographic.org/article/new-tunnel-discovered-under-ancient-pyramid/
• Lofty Ambitions of the Inca https://www.nationalgeographic.org/article/lofty-ambitions-inca/5th-grade/
• Incan Empire https://www.nationalgeographic.org/photo/census-inca/
• History 101: Machu Picchu https://www.nationalgeographic.org/video/history-101-machu-picchu/
• Maya, Aztec, and Inca Civilizations https://www.coreknowledge.org/free-resource/ckhg-unit-02-maya-aztec-inca-civilizations/student-reader/

Please note: There are no scheduled live video chats.  Students will be expected to complete the weekly assignments and participate in the discussion board at their own pace. This course format works well if your learner prefers independent pacing or is uncomfortable with live video chat.