Aztec Civilization Discussion Prompts and Pause Points

Before the Movie

What do you know about the Aztec civilization?  (Tap prior knowledge)

What do you want to know about the Aztec civilization? (Set goals)

During the Movie (Pause Points)

Stop at the following times in the movie and ask questions or prompt a discussion to keep students focused and to assess their understanding before moving on:

Timecode 1:06: How might a single language help unify a variety of cultures? (Make inferences)

Timecode 1:48: How did a system of tribal self-rule with regular tributes help the Aztec empire to keep expanding? (Apply knowledge; Cause/effect)

Timecode 2:22: What does the Aztec educational system tell us about that culture? (Draw conclusions) 

Timecode 4:31: How did centralized power within Tenochtitlan leave the Aztec civilization vulnerable? (Cause/effect)

After the Movie

Look at the four related movies at the bottom of the page. Explain how each is connected to the Aztec Civilization topic.  (Make connections)

If a tribe were conquered by the Aztecs, how might it benefit? What price might it pay for these benefits? (Cause/effect, Make predictions)

BrainPOP recommends reading  the movie description that appears on the Aztec Civilization Topic Page to your class or have students read independently. Then have them watch the movie once through without pausing. Then, watch it again as class, this time using the discussion prompts.

*BrainPOP’s Discussion Questions and Prompts align to CCSS Speaking and Listening Standards.