TeachersFirst's Inca Empire Resources
The Inca Empire, known to its people as Tawantinsuyu or "The Four Regions," stands as one of the most impressive pre-Columbian civilizations in the Americas. This extensive collection of resources offers a window for your students to the remarkable world of the Inca, from their emergence in the 13th century to their conquest by Spanish conquistadors in the 16th century. Spanning archaeology, history, and anthropology, these materials illuminate the empire's achievements in architecture, engineering, agriculture, and more. From the citadel of Machu Picchu to the extensive network of roads to the complex social hierarchy, this compilation provides a look at the civilization that once stretched along the Andean mountain range, dominating western South America.
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Early American Civilizations: Myths, Pyramids, and Kings - Texas Education Agency
Grades
4 to 6
Early American Civilizations: Myths, Pyramids, and Kings is a Grade 5 unit plan provided by the Texas Education Agency. It offers educators a comprehensive framework to teach...more
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Early American Civilizations: Myths, Pyramids, and Kings is a Grade 5 unit plan provided by the Texas Education Agency. It offers educators a comprehensive framework to teach students about early American civilizations, including the Maya, Aztecs, and Inca cultures. The unit explores their myths, architectural achievements such as pyramids and temples, and governance structures. Through detailed lesson plans, instructional strategies, and assessment tools, students engage with the cultural and historical significance of these civilizations, deepening their understanding of their lasting impact.
tag(s): grammar (138), pyramids (24), south america (77), spelling (98), writing (323)
In the Classroom
Using materials like sugar cubes, marshmallows, or LEGO bricks, students work in teams to construct a model pyramid while discussing its purpose and significance in early civilizations. Students can also use Delightex (formerly CoSpaces) reviewed here or Tinkercad reviewed here to create digital 3D models. Create a Venn diagram on paper or using Venn Diagram Creator reviewed here to compare the leadership of early American civilizations (ex., kings, priests) to modern government systems. Students can craft their own myths inspired by elements of early American civilizations. They can illustrate their stories and share them with the class. Consider using Imagine Forest reviewed here or Google Slides reviewed here to make books to share with the class and families online.Mayas - Aztecs - Incas - Wendy Conklin
Grades
4 to 8Step back in time and explore the incredible civilizations of the Maya, Aztecs, and Incas! This engaging resource provides a deep dive into the geography, government, religion, achievements,...more
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Step back in time and explore the incredible civilizations of the Maya, Aztecs, and Incas! This engaging resource provides a deep dive into the geography, government, religion, achievements, and downfall of these ancient empires. Packed with fascinating facts and organized for easy comparison, this PDF is a must-have for teachers looking to bring history to life. Whether you're sparking discussions, guiding research projects, or creating interactive activities, this resource will help your students uncover the brilliance and complexity of these legendary civilizations!
tag(s): architecture (84), religions (113), south america (77)
In the Classroom
Transform your classroom into a bustling market! Assign students roles as Maya, Aztec, or Inca merchants selling goods like cacao, maize, textiles, or gold. Have them barter and trade based on their civilization's economy. Students can analyze Maya glyphs or Inca quipu (knotted cords used for record-keeping). They can try writing their names in glyphs or creating a simple quipu with yarn. Students can research and retell a myth from one of the three civilizations. They can write a short script, perform, or illustrate a comic strip using Free Comic Strip Maker reviewed here. Students could also record a podcast episode using Buzzsprout reviewed here. Students can build Maya pyramids (with sugar cubes), Aztec chinampas (floating gardens using sponges & water trays), or Inca terraces (stacked cardboard "mountains") to explore their engineering feats.Early American Civilizations- Maya, Aztec, and Inca - Core Knowledge
Grades
4 to 6Discover this comprehensive student reader designed for 5th-grade classrooms. It explores the histories, cultures, and achievements of the Maya, Aztecs, and Inca civilizations, providing...more
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Discover this comprehensive student reader designed for 5th-grade classrooms. It explores the histories, cultures, and achievements of the Maya, Aztecs, and Inca civilizations, providing detailed narratives, maps, and illustrations. The resource includes key vocabulary, discussion questions, and historical context, making it an excellent tool for building background knowledge in social studies and literacy. Teachers can use this text to support lessons on early American civilizations, critical thinking, and cross-curricular connections with geography and archaeology.
tag(s): critical thinking (137), literacy (122), maps (224), south america (77), vocabulary (241)
In the Classroom
Make a Mystery Box by placing pictures or replicas of Maya, Aztec, and Inca artifacts (ex., a quipu, a pyramid, a codex) in a box. Have students pull an item, describe it, and infer its use before reading about it in the text. Students create a visual comparison such as a Venn diagram, poster, or digital infographic using Venn Diagram Creator reviewed here or Canva Edu, reviewed here showing similarities and differences between the Maya, Aztec, and Inca. They can list areas like government, religion, architecture, and daily life. Students can write a first-person journal entry as a Maya scribe, an Aztec warrior, or an Incan messenger, describing a day in their life while incorporating factual details from the reader.Ghosts of Machu Picchu - PBS NOVA
Grades
6 to 12The PBS NOVA: Ghosts of Machu Picchu website offers an in-depth exploration of the ancient Incan citadel, blending archaeology, history, and science. Teachers can use this resource...more
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The PBS NOVA: Ghosts of Machu Picchu website offers an in-depth exploration of the ancient Incan citadel, blending archaeology, history, and science. Teachers can use this resource to engage students with interactive features, expert insights, and video content that uncover the mysteries of Machu Picchu's construction, purpose, and rediscovery. The site provides rich visuals, timelines, and articles that support discussions on ancient civilizations, engineering marvels, and cultural heritage. This resource is ideal for history, geography, and STEM lessons, encouraging critical thinking through analysis of archaeological evidence and historical interpretation.
tag(s): archeology (30), south america (77), STEM (312), timelines (57)
In the Classroom
Have students explore the website's visuals, articles, and videos to "virtually visit" Machu Picchu. Then, in small groups, students can create a travel brochure or digital slideshow highlighting key features, historical significance, and unanswered mysteries. These projects can be completed online using Canva Edu reviewed here or Google Slides reviewed here. After learning about Machu Picchu's sophisticated stone construction and drainage system, students can design and test their own miniature stone wall models using clay, Legos, or sugar cubes, mimicking Incan building techniques. Students can compare Machu Picchu's engineering, society, and daily life to another ancient civilization (ex., Mesopotamia, Egypt, Rome) and present their findings through a Venn diagram on paper or online using Venn Diagram Creator reviewed here.Inca Civilization - Twinkl Educational Publishing
Grades
3 to 10View this collection of resources related to the Inca Empire, offering a variety of engaging, ready-to-use materials for teaching about the history, culture, and achievements. The collection...more
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View this collection of resources related to the Inca Empire, offering a variety of engaging, ready-to-use materials for teaching about the history, culture, and achievements. The collection includes lesson plans, worksheets, reading comprehension activities, maps, fact files, and interactive PowerPoints to support different learning styles. The materials are aligned with curriculum standards, making them ideal for introducing key concepts, reinforcing learning, and providing differentiated instruction. Whether used for whole-class lessons, small group work, or independent study, these resources help students explore the engineering feats, government, religion, and daily life of the Inca in an accessible and engaging way.
tag(s): cultures (226), religions (113), south america (77)
In the Classroom
Assign students different roles in Inca society (ex., farmer, noble, priest, artisan, emperor, chasqui messenger), have students research their roles, and then participate in a classroom simulation where they interact based on their social status. After reviewing the resources on Inca architecture, students can work in teams to design and build a model of an Inca terrace farm, bridge, or city using clay, cardboard, or recycled materials. They can also create a digital model using Delightex (formerly CoSpaces) reviewed here or Tinkercad reviewed here. Encourage students to explain how their design reflects the Incas' use of geography and engineering skills. Using the quipu worksheets, students learn how the Incas recorded numbers using knots. Students then create their own quipu messages using string and assign numerical or symbolic meanings.What Life Was Like As An Incan - Nutty Productions
Grades
5 to 8"What Life Was Like As An Incan" is a twelve-minute YouTube video highlighting the ancient Incas. The video highlights surgery, food, travel, astronomy, architecture, babites, marriage,...more
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"What Life Was Like As An Incan" is a twelve-minute YouTube video highlighting the ancient Incas. The video highlights surgery, food, travel, astronomy, architecture, babites, marriage, and mummification.
tag(s): south america (77)
In the Classroom
Students can write a story about what they learned in the video by creating a simple blog post using Telegra.ph reviewed here. This site does not require any registration. Students can also ToonyTool, reviewed here to create single-frame cartoons about the video.Andean Music, the Music of the Incas - Discover Peru
Grades
5 to 12The Discover Peru website's page on Andean and Inca music offers an accessible introduction to the musical traditions of the Inca civilization. It explains that the Inca primarily utilized...more
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The Discover Peru website's page on Andean and Inca music offers an accessible introduction to the musical traditions of the Inca civilization. It explains that the Inca primarily utilized wind and percussion instruments, such as panpipes (zamponas), flutes (quenas), and drums (tinya and wankara), in their music. These instruments played a significant role in various aspects of Inca society, including religious ceremonies, agricultural festivals, and daily life. The site also notes that string instruments were introduced later by the Spanish.
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tag(s): musical instruments (54), south america (77)
In the Classroom
Students can recreate the musical instruments used by the Incan civilization. Students can find Incan music to listen to and compare and contrast with another civilization using Figma reviewed here. Students can record the music on Acast reviewed here to deconstruct the instruments and match them to the sounds in the songs.The Children of the Sun - Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian
Grades
9 to 12The Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian website features "Children of the Sun," a creation story from the Inca tradition. This illustrated, child-friendly resource shares...more
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The Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian website features "Children of the Sun," a creation story from the Inca tradition. This illustrated, child-friendly resource shares how the Inca believed the first people were sent by the sun god to bring order and knowledge to the world. Presented as part of the "Inka Road" exhibit, the story emphasizes cultural values such as leadership, unity, and connection to nature.
tag(s): south america (77), stories and storytelling (63)
In the Classroom
Students can use Google Keep reviewed here to take notes on each of the pages from the manuscript. Students can use WordClouds reviewed here to post words associated with their message from the story. Students can use Genially, reviewed here, to show what the have learned.The Inca Empire: Everything You Wanted To Know - History Extra Podcast
Grades
8 to 12Share the podcast episode "The Inca Empire: Everything You Wanted To Know." This one-hour program, available on Apple Podcasts, explores everyday life in the Inca civilization. It answers...more
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Share the podcast episode "The Inca Empire: Everything You Wanted To Know." This one-hour program, available on Apple Podcasts, explores everyday life in the Inca civilization. It answers questions such as what daily routines looked like, how the Inca used knotted cords (quipu) to count and record information, and why stones held deep spiritual significance in their culture.
tag(s): podcasts (118), south america (77)
In the Classroom
Students can use Padlet reviewed here to post information about that they learn. Students can use Google Keep reviewed here to take notes during the podcast. Students can use Google My Maps reviewed here to virtually visit the area.How The Inca Used Knots To Tell Stories - Literacy Hub
Grades
9 to 12Explore the Inca civilization's sophisticated use of quipu--a system of knotted cords--for recording information. These cords, made from cotton or camelid fiber, utilized a base-ten...more
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Explore the Inca civilization's sophisticated use of quipu--a system of knotted cords--for recording information. These cords, made from cotton or camelid fiber, utilized a base-ten system to represent numbers, effectively functioning as a three-dimensional, tactile spreadsheet. The article highlights how quipu served as a powerful administrative tool, enabling the Incas to manage their vast empire without a written language.
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tag(s): communication (130), south america (77)
In the Classroom
Students can use Google Slides reviewed here to make up their own stories with Incan artifacts. Students can research other ancient civilizations that did not have a writing system and use Figma reviewed here to compare and contrast their accomplishments or lack thereof.Inca Empire for Kids: Myths, Legends, and Stories - Mr. Donn
Grades
3 to 12Inca Empire for Kids: Myths, Legends, and Stories highlights how studying myths, legends, and stories tells the story of the civilization. Featured are links to the Incan creation...more
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Inca Empire for Kids: Myths, Legends, and Stories highlights how studying myths, legends, and stories tells the story of the civilization. Featured are links to the Incan creation myth video, the llama legend, the myth of Mano Capac, the myth of the Rod of Gold, and more.
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tag(s): myths and legends (42)
In the Classroom
Students can use Figma reviewed here to compare and contrast myths from the Inca civilization to others. Students can use Padlet reviewed here to display what they learned about the Incan civilization after reading one of the myths. Finally, students can use Free Screen Recorder Online reviewed here to re-create a myth and share it on their screen or by recording themselves.Inca Science, Innovation, and Technology - History's Histories
Grades
5 to 9View this in-depth look at how the Inca civilization thrived through practical innovation. The site explores topics such as the role of llamas in daily life, strategies used to unite...more
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View this in-depth look at how the Inca civilization thrived through practical innovation. The site explores topics such as the role of llamas in daily life, strategies used to unite newly conquered tribes, the purpose and design of Incan roads, and how messengers navigated the empire. The site also covers the empire's defense systems, the way Incan architecture blended with the landscape, and how they communicated without a written language. Rich in content, the site includes photos, videos, and maps to enhance student understanding.
tag(s): architecture (84), south america (77)
In the Classroom
Students can use Padlet reviewed here to post information that they learned. Students can use Google My Maps reviewed here to visit the location. Finally, students can use Book Creator reviewed here to create a book about the Incan civilization.Ghosts of Machu Picchu 2 - PBS Nova
Grades
5 to 12Ghosts of Machu Picchu is a free site that explores careers related to Machu Picchu. The site offers a video on the Ghost of Machu Picchu, an interview on the ...more
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Ghosts of Machu Picchu is a free site that explores careers related to Machu Picchu. The site offers a video on the Ghost of Machu Picchu, an interview on the Incas' ice mummies, a profile of a climate expert, and a lesson on ice mummies. The lesson is divided into grades 5-8 and 9-12, with an extension activity on falling on the leaning tower.
tag(s): climate (86), south america (77)
In the Classroom
Students can research more about the ice mummies and how the climate affected their melting. Students can use MyLens reviewed here to document key moments/important milestones in the history of ice mummies. Finally, students can use Google My Maps reviewed here to virtually visit the location.How Standards and Technology Enabled the Inca Empire to Thrive - NIST
Grades
9 to 12This blog post highlights how the Inca Empire used advanced standards and technology, like the khipu for record-keeping and a vast road network, to manage their civilization. It shows...more
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This blog post highlights how the Inca Empire used advanced standards and technology, like the khipu for record-keeping and a vast road network, to manage their civilization. It shows how measurement, organization, and engineering helped the Incas thrive without a written language. This resource is great for middle and high school lessons on Indigenous innovation and infrastructure.
tag(s): south america (77)
In the Classroom
Students can post using Padlet reviewed here facts/information that they found interesting from the article. Students can use Google My Maps reviewed here to visit the land of the Incan civilization. Students can compare and contrast the achievements of Incan civilization to other civilizations using Figma reviewed here.Road to Machu Picchu - Peru in 4K - devinsupertramp
Grades
3 to 6Road to Machu Picchu--Peru in 4K is a four-minute video with no audio. It features live images of Machu Picchu and other areas of Peru, including the Amazon Rainforest, and ...more
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Road to Machu Picchu--Peru in 4K is a four-minute video with no audio. It features live images of Machu Picchu and other areas of Peru, including the Amazon Rainforest, and ends in Panama. If your district blocks YouTube, the video may not be viewable.
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tag(s): cultures (226), south america (77)
In the Classroom
Students can research Machu Picchu by adding facts to a Padlet reviewed here. Students can explore the Amazon Rainforest using Google My Maps reviewed here. Finally, students can create a book using Book Creator reviewed here researching animals of the rainforest.Peru's Machu Picchu - Ministry of Culture
Grades
6 to 12Peru's Machu Picchu site offers a virtual tour of Museo de Sitio and a link to Machu Picchu viewed through the eyes of Fernando Astete. The site can be translated ...more
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Peru's Machu Picchu site offers a virtual tour of Museo de Sitio and a link to Machu Picchu viewed through the eyes of Fernando Astete. The site can be translated into Spanish and French.
tag(s): cultures (226), south america (77)
In the Classroom
Students can go on the virtual tour to view the museum and use Padlet reviewed here to describe the art that was seen. Students can use WordClouds reviewed here to create a word cloud of features that they notice in the artwork.Machu Picchu: Unveiling the Mystery of the Inca - Carol P. Merriman
Grades
6 to 12Discover an entire unit in which students will gain knowledge of the geography of South America, how mountains affect climate, plant and animal ecology and the daily life of humans...more
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Discover an entire unit in which students will gain knowledge of the geography of South America, how mountains affect climate, plant and animal ecology and the daily life of humans living in the region, the history of the Incas, the economy and social life of the Inca Empire, the impact of the Spanish Conquest on the Andean people, the archaeological site of Machu Picchu, and more. The lesson plans themselves consist of materials needed, an overview, an introduction, procedures including inquiry questions, discussion, assessment, and homework. A teacher and student guide are included as well as additional resources, word match, and glossary. The unit aligns to the Connecticut Social Studies Framework.
tag(s): cultures (226), south america (77)
In the Classroom
Students can complete the ready-to-go lessons that are included in the unit. Students can demonstrate what they have learned by creating a short explainer video using Adobe Express Video Maker reviewed here. Students can visit the area using Google My Maps reviewed here.Inca Exhibition - Google Arts & Culture
Grades
6 to 12The Google Arts & Culture "Inca Exhibition" offers an interactive and visually rich exploration of the Inca civilization, ideal for upper elementary through high school students. Through...more
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The Google Arts & Culture "Inca Exhibition" offers an interactive and visually rich exploration of the Inca civilization, ideal for upper elementary through high school students. Through curated images, artifacts, and concise text, the exhibition covers key aspects of Inca life, including architecture, engineering, religion, and societal structure. Students can virtually explore items like Inca textiles, tools, and ruins, making it a powerful tool for visual and inquiry-based learning.
tag(s): art history (108)
In the Classroom
Students can use Figma reviewed here to compare and contrast Incan art to other civilizations' art. Students can virtually visit other museums that host Incan art. Finally, research the famous people who are featured in the artwork. Students can create a project showing what they have learned using a tool such as Telegra.ph reviewed here, which allows you to create quick blog posts (with no log-in necessary).Inca Letter to the Family - Louisiana Department of Education
Grades
5 to 8The Louisiana Department of Education's "Unit 4: The Inca and Aztec Empires" resource provides teachers with a structured collection of activity pages, assessments, and learning materials...more
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The Louisiana Department of Education's "Unit 4: The Inca and Aztec Empires" resource provides teachers with a structured collection of activity pages, assessments, and learning materials focused on the rise, achievements, and decline of the Inca and Aztec civilizations. This PDF includes reading passages, vocabulary exercises, map activities, comprehension questions, and writing prompts to support student engagement and understanding. This resource is designed to align with curriculum standards, and is ideal for reinforcing key concepts, assessing student knowledge, and facilitating discussions on Mesoamerican and Andean civilizations.
tag(s): aztecs (10), letter writing (20), maps (224), south america (77), vocabulary (241)
In the Classroom
Using the reading passages and vocabulary exercises, students can create a Venn diagram on paper or online using Venn Diagram Creator, reviewed here comparing the Inca and Aztec civilizations. They can analyze government, religion, agriculture, achievements, and reasons for decline. Have students create a travel brochure for the Inca or Aztec civilizations, highlighting key landmarks like Tenochtitlan or Machu Picchu. Use a digital storytelling tool to create digital travel brochures using Sway, reviewed here. After students learn about Inca quipus from the resource materials, they can create their own illustrated codex to tell a short story or design a string-and-knot quipu to represent a number or message.Educator Resources for Inca Civilization - BrainPOP
Grades
3 to 8The BrainPOP Inca Civilization page provides an engaging multimedia approach to teaching students about the history, achievements, and daily life of the Inca Empire. This resource includes...more
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The BrainPOP Inca Civilization page provides an engaging multimedia approach to teaching students about the history, achievements, and daily life of the Inca Empire. This resource includes an animated video, quizzes, vocabulary activities, and interactive features that help students explore Inca engineering, agriculture, government, and communication systems. BrainPOP's content is great for introducing or reinforcing key concepts in social studies, and is designed to support diverse learning styles. Teachers can use the provided lesson ideas and extension activities to promote critical thinking, discussion, and hands-on learning in the classroom.
tag(s): agriculture (52), communication (130), engineering (137), south america (77)