Engaging Classroom Activities on Land-Based Empires and Gunpowder

I think that a nice complimentary activity/reading would be to also look at indigenous forms of technology throughout the Americas - not to compare but to also hit on the fact that empires in the Americas were also quite advanced and had various feats when it comes to technology

I appreciate this suggestion Jazmin Puicon ! I love the idea of shifting the focus to indigenous technology. Are there any particular examples you’d recommend exploring? 

This is one of my favorite ones to talk about. We actually talk a great deal about bridges in my sixth grade class, and this video is fascinating:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dql-D6JQ1Bc 

Thanks for sharing Denise Ford ! I like how this video highlights both engineering and cultural heritage. 

Chinampas Mexico | Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems | Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations

The return of Aztec floating farms

South America's Inca civilization was better at skull surgery than Civil War doctors | Science | AAAS

Trepanation Reveals the Success of the Incas | ACS

The Great Inka Road: Engineering an Empire

Hope these are helpful!

 Jazmin Puicon  Wow, you always come through with such great sources—appreciate it! 

 Jazmin Puicon  Wow, you always come through with such great sources—appreciate it!