Aztec Attire - Lesson Plan

Teacher: Christopher Mazeika
Grade Level: 4 - 6
Title: Aztec Attire

Brief History and Background:
Ullamaliztli, the famous Aztec ball game, was played on a tlachtli ball court (the game is sometimes referred to as Tlachtli). The ball court was one of the first things built when the Aztecs settled a new area, making it the most important of the ancient Aztec games. It was a very difficult game played with a large rubber ball (the name of the game comes from the word ulli, or rubber). The game was not just important for entertainment, but also politics and religion.

Standards: PA
9.1.8. Production and Exhibition of Visual Arts
9.2.8. Historical and Cultural Contexts
9.3.8. Critical Response
9.4.8. Aesthetic Response

Goal: Students will design a basketball jersey using Aztec symbols as a starting point and source of inspiration.

Requirements: Students will only use four colors plus black and white in the coloring of their work. Students must use some aspect of the Aztec people in his or her work. This may be achieved by directly using the Aztec symbol or language in his or her work.

Resource Materials/Visual Aides:
• Power point presentation
• Various images of Aztec symbols
• Images of the game Ullamaliztili
• Teaching exemplar

Supplies/Materials:
• Pencils
• Paper
• Colored pencils
• Colored markers
• Scissors

Teacher Preparation: Teacher will:
• Familiarize him or her self with a brief understanding of the Aztec people and their game of Ullamaliztli
• Create a basketball jersey template
• Gather images of Aztec symbols
• Gather images showing the Aztec game of Ullamaliztli
• Familiarize himself or herself with the vocabulary and subject of the lesson
• Create an exemplar/s
• Prepare a handout for students that may include any or all of the following: brief history, vocabulary, images of Aztec symbols and their names
• Create a short worksheet to test students’ retention of vocabulary and lesson taught

Teaching
Introduction: Show the students images relating to the game of Ullamaliztli. Discuss its connection to the modern game of basketball. Show examples of basketball jerseys. Show the students Aztec symbols, which should be used as a starting point for their jersey designs.

Directions:
1. Instruct students that they will be creating a basketball jersey depicting a team name and a symbol/mascot for the team.
2. Inform the students they will be working with the Aztec symbols and names provided as a starting point.
3. Pass out all necessary supplies.
4. Instruct students that they need to choose a name for their team and a symbol to represent the team.
5. Students will make a rough sketch of their design.
6. Students will create their teacher-approved design onto the jersey template.
7. Students will color their design using colored markers for the name and mascot.
8. Students will color the remaining area of the jersey using colored pencils. The idea is to create a contrast between the dark/bold color of the markers and the lighter coloring effect of the pencils.
9. The completed jersey will then be cut out.
10. Completed jerseys can be hung on a clothesline to enhance the idea of clothing.

Closure: Have a student collect the work and one or two others collect and sort materials. Inform them work will be displayed at a later date. Remind students to think about where other things may have originated from during the rest of their day and in their daily lives. Encourage them to discuss what they’ve learned today with their peers in other classes.

Critique/Evaluation/Assessment:
• In Class Critique
• Rubric

Extension: Students may write a history of their team and the origins of the team colors and mascot.

Time Budget: 2 classes – 45 min ea.

Vocabulary:
Aztec – a member of a people of central Mexico whose civilization was at its height at the time of the Spanish conquest in the early 16th century.
Symbol – something used for or regarded as representing something else; a material object representing something, often something immaterial; emblem, token, or sign.
Ullamaliztili – the name of the ancient Aztec game, from which basketball was created.
Tlachtli – the name of the court on which the Aztec game of Ullamaliztili was played on.
Ulli – the Aztec word for rubber.

Safety Concerns: Care should be taken when and if students are required to cut out the jerseys using scissors.

Bibliography/References:
http://www.aztec-history.com/
http://www.wsu.edu/~dee/CIVAMRCA/AZTECS.HTM