5th grade webquest: pre-columbian civilizations

Before 1492:Mayan, Aztec, & Incan Civilizations

A Webquest for Grade 5 Students

Instructions

• You will use this webquest to gather information about each of 3 ancient civilizations that existed in the Americas before the arrival of European explorers.

• The webquest will guide you to Internet resources, including informational websites and videos.

• Use the arrows to advance through the webquest.• You will use your worksheet to record facts that you

learn.• When you are done, you will write one question for

an online quiz especially for your class

Essential Questions

• What Native American Civilizations lived in Central and South America before 1492?

• How did these pre-Columbian civilizations live?

• How were these civilizations affected by European exploration?

Click the symbols to learn about the “Mysterious Mayans”

Meet the Mayans

Click to watch a video about Mayan civilization

Meet the AztecsClick the symbols to learn about the

“Amazing Aztecs”

Click to watch a movie about the Aztec

civilization

Meet the Incas

Click the symbols to learn about the “Incredible Incans”

Congratulations!

You are now an expert on pre-Columbian civilizations!

Use what you know to write one question about the Mayans, the Aztecs, or the Incas. You and your class will get to play a game with all of the questions you ask.

A webquest created by Peggy Harvey, Instructional Technology Specialist,

Blanchard Memorial School Boxborough, MA

Based on Massachusetts DOE Social Studies Curriculum Standards:• 5.2 Identify the three major pre-Columbian civilizations that existed in Central and South America

(Maya, Aztec, and Inca) and their locations. Describe their political structures, religious practices, and use of slaves. (H, G, E)

• 5.4 Explain why the Aztec and Inca civilizations declined in the 16th century. (H)• A. the encounters between Cortez and Montezuma• B. the encounters between Pizarro and the Incas• C. the goals of the Spanish conquistadors• D. the effects of European diseases, particularly smallpox, throughout the Western hemisphere