Aztec Creation Myth Oral Story Telling - The Five Suns.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Five_Suns
In Summary quote:
- Nahui-Ocelotl (Jaguar Sun) - Inhabitants were giants who were devoured by jaguars. The world was destroyed.
- Nahui-Ehécatl (Wind Sun) - Inhabitants were transformed into monkeys. This world was destroyed by hurricanes.
- Nahui-Quiahuitl (Rain Sun) - Inhabitants were destroyed by rain of fire. Only birds survived (or inhabitants survived by becoming birds).
- Nahui-Atl (Water Sun) - This world was flooded turning the inhabitants into fish. A couple escaped but were transformed into dogs.
- Nahui-Ollin (Earthquake Sun) - We are the inhabitants of this world. This world will be destroyed by earthquakes (or one large earthquake).
Discussion of impact of beliefs on Aztec culture.
Discussion of the House of Youth, and the disciplinary methods that our House of Youth will have in place; First offense sit to the side 1 min, Second offense plank to the side 1 min, Third offense Electric chair 1 min, Then further offenses rotate back and forth between plank and Electric Chair at increasing intervals. (Next week we will determine the rules in the House of Youth)
Discuss what we already know about Aztecs (Spanish conquest was downfall, angry neighbours, sacrifices with cutting out the heart, MesoAmerica, Armour made of cotton soaked in sea water, used obsidian weapons and tools, crafty, farming and agricultural, lots of Gods, feared the gods, made offerings, temples, chocolate)
Guessed which country Aztec civilization was in. Discovered it was Mexico and then guessed how many countries we were off. We then used maps and confirmed the answers.
Talked about MesoAmerica and looked at it on a map. We went through the timeline of MesoAmerica, talking about its human history dating back 30 000 years ago. We discussed the nomadic tribes in 10000BC (and the theories of how the first people came to be in this area; land bridge, the sea, always there, evolution, aliens), the farming in 8000BC (corns, beans, squash and chili), Talked about how Agriculture leads to civilization, technology, Olmecs 1500 BC (writing, carved heads, destroyed remains), Mayans 1000 BC (temples, downfall, rituals, games).
Discussed the commonality in the writing systems and how far back they date. All use hieroglyphic/pictorial images for writing and talk of many of the same Gods.
Sina and Cadence researched and mapped the Mayan civilization and their major cities.
Liam and Deitrich researched and mapped the Zapotec and their major cities.
Ayden, Ben and Dylan researched and mapped the Olmec civilization and their major cities.
After sharing their findings with group they noticed how close they all were, Olmec was a large encompassing area, after it's decline, two regions later formed at similar times, the Zapotec and the Mayan.
Discussed what we wanted to learn for the coming session.
Voted on Murder Mystery (and YES was the result!)
Assignment:
Do research on a MesoAmerican civilization. Share your findings with the class.
You may want to look into where they lived, some key points about their ways, what technologies they had, what their strengths were, anything you found interesting. Be prepared to share a couple of key details.
In your presentation, you could include a map, a video clip, article, drawing, sculpture, comic, animation, time-line, or anything you feel inspired to do.... or just talk for a few minutes on them.
Ayden: Mixtec, 1000 AD to 1500 AD
Ben: Toltec, 750 AD to 1200 AD
Cadence & Cosiniye: Mayan, 800 BC to 1500 AD
Deitrich: Zapotec, 500 BC to 1000 AD
Dylan: Teotihucan, 0 to 750 AD
Liam: Olmec, 1500 BC
Misha: K'iche, 900-1590 AD
Zander: Tarascans 900-1590 AD