Strategies
This curriculum unit will be taught using reading and comprehension strategies, discussion, and lecture formats. The students will use K.W.L. (What I know, What I want to know, What I have learned) chart and an anticipation guide initially to assess prior knowledge and curiosity. They will be asked about populations and Early Mexican Peoples.
The students will be given a reading assignment about the early Mesoamericans. They will use various reading strategies in order to increase comprehension of the reading. As a class the reading will be discussed and cooperative learning activities will be a focus. A timeline of events will be constructed, including population estimates to illustrate population losses.
Population dynamics will be discussed in relation to the Aztec in identifying the limiting factors of their environment. Students will be asked to inquire about the types of disease that they may not have immunity to and which ones might decimate our current North American population. Students will discuss the invasive species of Mesoamerica and suggest invasive species currently in our country.
Students will be required to keep a journal. They will respond daily to various questions that direct them to metacognitive thinking. This will allow them better comprehension of the concepts involved. A final formal assessment will be given at the end of the unit.
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