Thematic Unit: The Aztecs

This week, I'm posting some ideas for lessons you could include in a thematic unit for senior classes based upon 'The Aztecs'. I taught these lessons to 5th Class, but I think they would be suitable for any senior class. I hope they give you some inspiration!
History: The Aztec Empire:

Explore this PowerPoint about Aztec life over a series of lessons:

PowerPoint was based on one created by mercywexford which you can find here.
(Note: This PowerPoint can also be used to guide the activities mentioned below!)

P.E.: Games:
Play the Aztec sport of Tlachtli where you must try and score through the hoop without using your hands or feet!

Music: Aztec Compositions: 
Create music in groups using instruments the Aztecs used (instruments such as drums, rattles, horns, bells, whistles, etc). Plan out and record the composition pictorially. Practice the composition and then perform it as a class, recording the performance on your phone to play back to the class/keep as a record. 

Art: Aztec Masks:

Study Aztec art (mosaic masks in particular) and create some Aztec masks. Using a piece of card/cardboard, cut out a face shape. Discuss areas of the face which protrude more than others (nose, lips, eyebrows, etc). Build these sections up with newspaper and glue. Cover the mask in a sheet of silver or gold tissue paper. Cut up coloured paper and add tiles of coloured paper to the mask.

Drama: Rituals:

Create some original rituals to preform and, as a class, guess what each ritual is about.

   

English/History: Information Booklets:

As a concluding activity on the Aztec Empire, get the class to create their own information booklets about the Aztecs and their culture. Have a look at some examples below:

Parent Teacher Meetings: Infants

Preparing for Parent Teacher Meetings in an infant class? Here are some tips:

First of all, when preparing for these meetings I fill in a template for each child. Here is a section of the template.

You can view, download and edit the full template here: Parent Teacher Meeting Template.

Secondly I like to have a few pieces of information on hand also:

1. Checklists that I have been keeping on words, sounds and spellings.
2. The children's Maths test results (and any other tests you have done with them).
3. Art the children have completed so far in the year, stuck into a scrapbook.
4. The children's workbooks/'News' copy for them to flick through.
5. Work samples of the children's writing and maths. 
6. A list of useful websites/resources/tips that they can use with their children at home. 

Parent Teacher Meetings in Senior Classes

I'm in the middle of preparing for my 5th Class Parent Teacher Meetings and thought I might share with you some ways I prepare for Parent Teacher Meetings in a senior class:

1. Template:
I fill in a template I found on Seomra Ranga for each child. I print one for my folder (as a written record) and another copy for the parent to bring home if they wish to do so. Include all tests scores on this sheet, to prevent you having to look back at class lists to find scores.

2. Assessment Folder:
Have your assessment folder divided into sections for each child. Have a copy of their Maths, English, Gaeilge and Geography tests to show parents where their children lost out on marks. Include a sample of their Irish writing to show the child's knowledge of sentence structure, verbs, spelling, etc. (I got my class to write a 'story' based on a simple cartoon to include in my folder).

3. English Copy:
Have the child's English copy on hand for the parent to look through, and to discuss their written work (punctuation, capital letters, language, neatness, etc.).

4.  Art Scrapbook:
Show the parent the child's art from the year in a scrapbook.

5. Parent's Information Booklet:

Vocabulary featured here is from Teacher's Pet Posters

I've found over the years that I am always being asked the same questions by parents. This year, I decided to create this Parent Information Booklet to give them at the meeting. It includes information on the best ways to help their child with their learning, Maths and reading homework. It also includes examples of long division and short division with decimals. (Note: Some of the reading strategies refer to the Oxford Reading Tree programme we follow in our school. If your children do not have a reading record copy or a structured reading programme, then you can edit this point out.)

I hope you find this information useful. I will be posting my ideas for preparing for Parent Teacher Meetings with Infant classes in my next blog post. Until then, good luck with your meetings!