Teachers First - Thinking Teachers Teaching Thinkers

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 (41)

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)

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 (85), south america (77)

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 (209), south america (77)

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 (209), south america (77)

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 (106)

View these resources related to Ancient Africa and the Kingdom of Kush. Find art, civilizations, daily life, people, geography, culture, government, and war. Under each topic are many resource links. The resource links include a Q&A or questions and answers at the very bottom.
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tag(s): africa (170)

Share this site with your students that offers a clear overview of the Kingdom of Kush, highlighting its emergence as a significant civilization in the Nile River Valley. It discusses Kush's expansion over regions of present-day Sudan and its period of ruling Egypt for over a century. The resource is suitable for middle-grade students, offering an accessible introduction to the history and influence of Kush in ancient Africa.
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tag(s): africa (170)

Discover this accessible and engaging overview of this ancient African civilization for young learners. It covers Kush's origins in Nubia, its interactions with Ancient Egypt--including periods of both conflict and cooperation--and its eventual rise to power, culminating in the Kushite pharaohs' rule over Egypt during the 25th Dynasty. The article highlights Kush's achievements in trade, ironworking, and architecture, notably the construction of pyramids at Meroe. Accompanied by printable worksheets, this resource is well-suited for upper elementary and middle school students studying ancient civilizations or African history.

tag(s): africa (170)

The Britannica Kids article on the Kingdom of Kush offers a clear, student-friendly overview of this ancient African civilization. It explains how Kush, located in what is now Sudan, began as an Egyptian colony and later rose to power, even ruling Egypt during the 700s BCE. The article highlights Kush's wealth from gold mining, agriculture, and trade, as well as its cultural blend of Egyptian and African influences. It also notes the kingdom's eventual decline after being conquered by Aksum around 350 CE. This resource is ideal for upper elementary and middle school students studying ancient civilizations or African history.

tag(s): africa (170)

View this site about Ancient Africa, which has links to information on Ancient Africa, Medieval African Kingdoms, stories, fables, and proverbs, religions, art, and geography. Additionally, the site contains links for lesson plans, animals, Kwanzaa, crafts, and the continent today. Don't miss the site's interactive games.

tag(s): africa (170), kwanzaa (12)

The "Who Are American Jews?" section on the Jewish American Heritage Month (JAHM) website offers educators valuable resources to explore the multifaceted nature of Jewish identity in the United States. It includes materials such as Facing History & Ourselves' insights into Jewish identity, Pew Research Center's "10 Key Findings About Jewish Americans," and the "Perspectives and Lived Experiences of Jews of Color" report by the Jews of Color Initiative. These resources provide a comprehensive understanding of the diversity within the American Jewish community, making them ideal for classroom discussions on cultural identity and diversity.

tag(s): cultures (209), diversity (43), identity (34), immigrants (42), immigration (78), jews (49), perspective (18)

The Jewish Educator Portal offers four lesson plans based on the 2008 PBS series The Jewish Americans. These lessons guide students through identity, assimilation, immigration, discrimination, and cultural change. The plans can initiate broader explorations of American Jewish history and facilitate comparisons with other immigrant groups' experiences.

tag(s): cultures (209), immigrants (42), immigration (78), jews (49)

The Jewish American Heritage Month (JAHM) Toolkit, provided by the Weitzman National Museum of American Jewish History, offers educators a variety of downloadable resources to celebrate and raise awareness of JAHM each May. The toolkit includes social media posts, posters, a resource guide, and logos. Additionally, companion resources are available for the poster series featuring notable Jewish Americans. Educators seeking professional development opportunities and further teaching materials can find them through the toolkit. For specific needs, the JAHM team is available year-round to assist schools and organizations in finding appropriate resources.

tag(s): cultures (209), jews (49), social media (50)

The NYU American Jewish History research guide provides a curated collection of primary sources, including historical documents, newspapers, photographs, and archival materials related to Jewish American history. This resource is ideal for teachers looking to incorporate authentic historical evidence into their lessons, helping students analyze Jewish immigration, cultural contributions, and civil rights efforts. With links to digital archives and research databases, this guide supports inquiry-based learning and critical thinking in middle and high school social studies, history, and civics classes.

tag(s): civil rights (216), critical thinking (135), cultures (209), immigration (78), inquiry (30), jews (49)

The American Jewish Committee (AJC) website provides a collection of resources for Jewish American Heritage Month, helping educators highlight the impact of Jewish Americans on U.S. history and culture. It features historical background, profiles of influential Jewish figures, videos, and articles covering topics such as civil rights, immigration, and contributions to various fields. These materials support meaningful classroom discussions and activities, making them valuable for middle and high school social studies, history, and civics lessons. The videos are hosted on YouTube. If your district blocks YouTube, then they may not be viewable.

tag(s): civil rights (216), cultures (209), immigration (78), jews (49)

The PBS Jewish Americans website provides educational resources exploring Jewish history, culture, and contributions in the United States. It includes lesson plans, discussion guides, and primary source materials that help teachers integrate Jewish American experiences into their curriculum. The site covers topics such as immigration, civil rights, and notable Jewish figures, making it a valuable tool for fostering historical understanding and cultural appreciation in the classroom.

tag(s): civil rights (216), cultures (209), immigration (78), jews (49)

The Alaska Purchase Treaty: Primary Documents is a free resource from the Library of Congress for social studies teachers of 5th through 12th grades. This resource includes primary documents for William Steward, the Treaty concerning the succession of Russian possessions, and the message from the U.S. President regarding the new territory transferred from Russia. These primary documents comprise a set of original documents in the form of photographs and images of the historical record. This site contains an introduction, digital collections, external websites, and print resources for how the United States gained this territory in 1867. This is a public resource; therefore, no registration is required.

tag(s): alaska (22), gold rush (16), primary sources (120), visual literacy (4)

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 (225), south america (77), vocabulary (243)

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)