Exploring the Incan Empire

Introduction

Have you ever wondered about ancient cultures?

What was it like to live back then?

What did they eat?

How did they know where to go without a map?

Well, today and the rest of the week you are going to find out about one of these interesting ancient cultures. You are going learn about what life was like for them so long ago. This culture is called the Inca.

An authenthic Incan plate. 

Task

At the end of the week you will be able to describe many aspects of the ancient Incan Civilization.

During this webquest you will have the opportunity to:

  • read about Incan artifacts and how they help archaeologists understand more about the Incan culture
  • watch a video about one of the most mysterious Incan wonders
  • acquire some new Incan vocabulary
  • discover the downfall of an iconic empire. 
  • conduct research about Incan culture
  • indentify and locate Incan areas
  • make an authentic Incan tool
  • share your findings and opinions about Incans with the class

 

A map of the Incan Empire

Process

Evaluation

Conclusion

Credits

This lesson was designed by Amy Gibbs for sixth grade social studies and language arts students.

Teacher Page

Arizona Social Studies Standards:

Strand 1. American History

Concept 1:

         PO 8. Describe how archaeological research adds to our understanding of the past.

Concept 2:

         PO 1. Describe the characteristic of hunting and gathering societies in the Americas.

         PO 2. Describe how farming methods and domestication of animals led to the development of cultures and civilizations from hunting and gathering societies.

         PO 5. Describe the Incan civilization:

                   a. Location, agriculture, housing, and trade networks

                   b. Achievements 

                   c. How these cultures adapted to and altered their environment.

Strand 2. World History

Concept 2:

         PO 6. Analyze the impact of cultural and scientific contributions of ancient civilizations on later civilizations.

Strand 3: Civics/Government

Concept 5:

         PO 2. Compare different types of governments:

                    a.  Dictatorship

                    b.  Totalitarian

                    c.  Monarchies

Strand 4: Geography

Concept 1:

         PO 4. Locate physical and human features in regions of the world on a map.

Strand 5: Economics

Concept 2: 

          PO 3. Identify how people earn income by selling their labor to businesses or governments.

Arizona Language Arts  Standards:       

       6.RI.4 Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including figurative, connotative, and technical meanings.

       6.W.2 Write informative/explanatory texts to examine a topic and convey ideas, concepts, and information through the selection, organization, and analysis of relevant content.

       6.SL.1 Engage effectively in a range of collaborative discussions (one‐on‐one, in groups, and teacher‐led) with diverse partners on grade 6 topics, texts, and issues, building on others’ ideas and expressing their own clearly.

       6.L.4 Determine or clarify the meaning of unknown and multiple‐meaning words and phrases based on grade 6 reading and content, choosing flexibly from a range of strategies.