Who Were The Aztecs?
The Aztecs were the dominant culture in fifteenth and sixteenth century Mesoamerica before the Spanish conquistadors invaded. What was the Aztec Empire? The Aztec Empire was an alliance of three city-states in Mesoamerica, Mexico-Tenochtitlan, Texcoco, and Tlacopan....
Aztec Gods and Goddesses
It's time for a new subject, so we're delving into the Aztecs. Aztec mythology is very creative and interesting. Students will get a kick out of all the strange things Aztec gods and goddesses got up to. They were both helpful and destructive. According to legend, the...
Is an apple alive?
How to introduce Ancient Greek Philosophy to middle school students Philosophy can seem like a bit of a lofty subject for middle school students, but kids are natural philosophers. As soon as they can talk, children start to ask questions, wanting to understand the...
Legionary and Auxiliary Roman Soldiers
The Roman army was the main source of power and strength for the Roman Empire. They conquered new lands, controlled conquered people and protected Roman citizens. Part of the reason for their success was their strict discipline. Every soldier knew exactly what they needed to do, even in the thick of battle.
Five Facts About the Roman Festival of Saturnalia
The Saturnalia festival in ancient Rome was one of the most popular Roman holidays. Here are five facts about the ancient festival. 1. Io Saturnalia was the seasonal greeting used during Saturnalia. 2. Saturnalia lasted between one day to two weeks in...
Romulus and Remus
One of the most famous Roman myths is the story of how Rome was founded. The legend of Romulus and Remus was created by Romans, one of the few that was not adapted from a Greek myth, although according to the legend, the brothers were descendants a famous Greek hero....
Julius Caesar was Once Kidnapped by Pirates (and more interesting facts)
Gaius Julius Caesar was one of the most famous leaders of history. He was a brilliant military leader and brutal opponent to his enemies. Here are some interesting facts about Caesar:
The Origins of Halloween
Halloween began 2000 years ago, in the iron age, as a Celtic festival called Samhain that marked the change in seasons at the end of October. Over the centuries, Samhain was combined with Roman and Christian celebrations. New traditions began in Ireland and Scotland...
How Monsters Can Help Teach History
Using stories to engage students in ancient history topicsIt is important for us to learn from the battles and politics of the past, and to pass on those lessons to the next generation. Teaching history can accomplish that, but how do you make it interesting for...
Classroom Displays – Getting Ready for the School Year
As the new school year begins to dawn teachers everywhere start turning their thoughts to new students and new classrooms. Many teachers, myself included, work hard to make their classrooms a warm, welcoming and interesting environment. Research suggests that things...