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K–12 teaching and learning · from the UNC School of Education

Two ancient cities

http://www.nationalgeographic.com/xpeditions/lessons/04/g912/twocitiesinca.html

A lesson plan for grades 9–12 Social Studies

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In this Xpeditions lesson, students explore two ancient American civilizations: the Inca and the Maya. Then they will compare two ancient cities from these civilizations: Machu Picchu, of the Inca Empire, and Chichén Itzá, of the Maya. Activities in this lesson engage students in whole class discussion and development of research and writing skills.

Students will:

  • review important information about the Inca and Maya civilizations and find on a map of Central and South America the areas where these two civilizations existed;
  • compare two ancient cities from these civilizations: Machu Picchu (of the Inca Empire, located in the central Andes Mountains) and Chichén Itzá (of the Maya, located in the Yucatán Peninsula);
  • research for each city the surrounding geography, the main structures and their purposes, the inhabitants, the building materials, the general layout, and any other revealing information or artifacts; and
  • consider how culture and local geography influenced each city.

Xpeditions provides detailed directions for completing the lesson, suggestions for assessment and extension activities, discussion questions, and links to related web resources.

North Carolina Curriculum Alignment

Social Studies (2003)

Grade 11–12 — Latino American Studies

  • Goal 2: The learner will explore the Pre-Columbian civilizations of Latin America and assess the impact of European colonization.
    • Objective 2.01: Locate and describe the early people of Latin America.
    • Objective 2.02: Compare and contrast the civilizations of Maya, Aztec, and Inca, and cite their major contributions.

Grade 9

  • Goal 2: Emerging Civilizations - The learner will analyze the development of early civilizations in Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Americas.
    • Objective 2.08: Evaluate the achievements of the major civilizations of the Americas during the pre-Columbian epoch including, but not limited to, the Aztecs, Incas, and Mayas.