Under the Aztec Sun

Under the Aztec Sun lesson plan

Use paper plates and colorful Crayola® Paint and Markers to design your own sun.

  • 1.

    Research the importance of the sun to the Aztec people. Find out how they were represented visually.

  • 2.

    Draw rays of sun with Crayola Washable Markers on two paper plates. Cut out the rays with Crayola Scissors, and save the cut-out triangles.

  • 3.

    Cover your work area with recycled newspaper. Mix Crayola Washable Tempera Paint to simulate Aztec colors. Use Crayola Paint Brushes to paint both the fronts and backs of the rays, including the cut-out triangles. Dry.

  • 4.

    Design sun god faces on the front of each paper plate using paint, markers, and cutout pieces. Dry paint overnight. Attach pieces with Crayola School Glue.

  • 5.

    Outline the painted features with a black marker. Glue the back sides of the plates together with a string in the middle for hanging.

  • 6.

    With a partner, identify and discuss similarities and differences among the faces.

Benefits

  • Children explore Aztec culture through books, videos, and the Web to investigate the importance of the sun to the Aztec people.
  • Students create their own replicas of Aztec sun symbols.
  • Students observe, compare, and contrast ancient representations of Aztec suns (details such as shape, color, features, and expression) and their own visual representations.

Adaptations

  • Encourage children to arrange their plates so their rays are staggered when glued together.
  • Students write reports on different aspects of Aztec life and present them to other children or visitors.