Amazing Aztecs

LWS Summer Term Project 2023

Project End Goal - Our Big Product

To celebrate and exhibit the Aztec civilisation and culture.

Steps to Success

Step 1: When, where and how did the Aztecs exist?

Step 2: What was daily life like for the Aztecs?

Step 3: What did the Aztecs believe in?

Step 4: What makes an effective museum exhibition?



This project was co-designed with the members of the Hawks class.


The Key Areas of Competence (KAoC)

This term's cross-curricular project will develop the children's skills in the following curriculum areas: 

ROOTS: 

TRUNK: Communication and language; Creative Tech and Digital Communications; Critical Thinking

CROWN: Understanding the World; Creative Arts and Design


Project Introduction

05_05 I can co-create a project.

To begin our project journey, we explored a range of non-fiction history books to inspire our curiosities about the past. From this, we narrowed our interests down to five periods of civilisation in history and worked in groups to build our project proposals through research and discussion. Using the proposals as a basis, we then applied our persuasive techniques and skills (from literacy earlier in the year) to build digital presentations explaining why we should learn about the ancient Sumerians, Egyptians, Greeks, Mayans or the Aztecs. We researched content and ideas and delivered our pitches to the class, before voting for the one we were most interested in learning more about. It was a close vote, and all were voted for, but with a slight lead, the Aztecs won the hearts of the Hawks and became the civilisation of focus for our summer term project.

Questions to ask your child...

Step 1

19_05 I can investigate where and when the Aztecs lived.

During the last few weeks of project, we have been setting the scene for finding out about life during the time of the Aztecs. We established the meaning of 'ancient civilisation' and researched important history-based terminology that will help us with our understanding of chronology. 

Next, we took a closer look at the area of the Americas that the Aztecs settled in, known as Mexico today, and used our map skills to label locations and features of the land and sea. Following on from this, we looked at some key periods of time in world history so that we can understand what had and was happening around the world when the Aztecs existed.

After learning about how the Aztecs settled in Mexico, we took an in-depth look at the capital of Tenochtitan. Exploring a range of historical maps and drawings, we identified the incredible features the Aztecs built in order to sustain their powerful civilisation and then read some secondary sources to be able to explain how and why these were created.

Questions to ask your child...

Questions to ask your child...

Step 2

09_06 I can understand the historical enquiry process.

This week, we delved into the world of historical artefacts. After distinguishing the difference between scientists who study the human past (archaeologists) and the natural past (palaeontologists), we looked at the process and technology in which the artefacts are found. Then, we revisited what primary and secondary sources are so that we could understand the difference between evidence and opinion.

We looked at the historical enquiry process and why it is important in finding out more about the past, before applying it to discover what different Aztec artefacts might tell be. We began by observing the objects closely, then used the question matrix to pose different questions to get us thinking more deeply about them. Next, we suggested hypotheses about the artefacts. Following this, we explored more evidence by using the internet and books to research and find out what the object was used for. Some of us began developing conclusions to share what the artefact was and what it tells us about daily life for the Aztecs.

Step 2

30/06 I can find about the daily life of the Aztecs.

We wanted to investigate what life looked like for the Aztecs, so we recapped how to take effective research notes before splitting into groups to explore a range of different secondary sources - digital written information, videos and information books. Working through the information, we had to identify and retrieve information about: food and drink, chinampas, health, clothes and jewellery, children and school, government, markets, home and leisure. Working to help one another, we recorded the facts down so that we could create fact-files, using Canva. 

Step 3

I can understand about the beliefs and religion of the Aztec people.

Next, we took a closer look at Aztec gods to understand more about the Aztec beliefs. It was fascinating to see the many  colourful depictions of the gods and find out what they were called, their role, the features they had and how the Aztecs worshipped them. exploring Aztecs beliefs, we found out about their understanding of past worlds the importance of sacrifice and how it was a vital part of the Aztec life. We reflected on how different perspectives should not be judged and how important it is to try to understand things from the other culture's point of view, not just our own.

Step 3

I can understand about the structure of the Aztec society and the fall of the empire.

Following on from this, we looked at the roles of different people within the society and discussed how everyone had an important role to play, despite the hierarchy of power. We looked at the 'pyramid of power' and found out about the responsibilities and rights people had. 

Finally, we found out about the sad decline of the Aztec people, who incorrectly believed that the Spanish invaders were actually sent by the gods and unknowingly welcomed them into the heart of Tenochtitlan. Creating storyboards and comic strips, we identified and ordered the key events that led to the destruction of the Aztec civilisation. This opened up great conversations where we considered the different beliefs and understanding of the two cultures and we felt true empathy for the experiences of the Aztecs. 


Questions to ask your child...


PHOTOS TO BE ADDED SOON!

Questions to ask your child...


PHOTOS COMING SOON!

Step 4

30/6 I can recognise the features of an effective museum exhibition.

This Thursday, we headed into London to visit the British Museum. We spent sometime in Gallery 27, a space dedicated to Mesoamerica and home to many beautiful Aztec artefacts. It was delightful to the actual primary sources that we had been coming across in school. We looked at how many items had different animal representations, we named and identified the range of natural materials that were used to create the artefacts and we used our awesome knowledge of the Aztec gods to spot their faces in lots of the stone and pottery work. 

Next, we identified the features of a museum exhibition. We took note of the way the text and information was organised and formatted in different sizes. It was interesting to see the range of levels used and how the lighting varied through the space. We discussed the purpose behind lots of our observations of the exhibition and generated some great ideas for our museum next week!

Please contact the Hawks to ask questions here:

info@libertywoodlandschool.com