For
this two weeklong inquiry project, we will be focusing on the geography of Spain as
well as the area known as Mesa-America. Note all the colored text leads to external links.
Working in groups of three, your task will be to create a
Google Earth KMZ (what
is this) file responding to the overall inquiry question:
How did geography, history, and
contact with other groups affect the worldviews of the Spanish and the
Mesa-American Aztecs?
Choosing either the Spanish or the Aztecs[1],
each group member will be responsible for addressing one of the three areas
above (i.e., geography, history, and
contact with other groups) by working through a series of related tasks
outlined below. As a group, you will then combine your work into a Google Earth
KMZ file to provide a digital tour for others in the world to learn more about
this topic.
Ultimately we will be creating a Google Lit trip to explore the worldview of the Spanish and Aztecs. To get a sense of what we are doing, here are some examples of the kind of product you will be creating: Pedro's Journal, American Civil War, various Voyages of Discovery (Pillage and Plunder). Check out the one on Hernan Cortes. Note that our project will look the most like this final one on Cortes with the exception that we will be making and imbedding videos into our tour.
Ultimately we will be creating a Google Lit trip to explore the worldview of the Spanish and Aztecs. To get a sense of what we are doing, here are some examples of the kind of product you will be creating: Pedro's Journal, American Civil War, various Voyages of Discovery (Pillage and Plunder). Check out the one on Hernan Cortes. Note that our project will look the most like this final one on Cortes with the exception that we will be making and imbedding videos into our tour.
As part of this process each group member will be responding to one of the following inquiry questions:
Geography (partner
1): Which geographic feature of the
Iberian Peninsula or the Valley of Mexico had the greatest influence on the
Spanish or Aztec worldview? How did this geographic feature specifically
influence the societies of the Aztec and the Spanish?
Starting point for you research in your Our Worldviews textbook
Starting point for you research in your Our Worldviews textbook
Aztecs: pp.
228-229, pp. 240-241; Spanish: pp. 230-231
Satellite image of Mexico link
Satellite image of Spain link
Insights from Jared Diamond's Guns, Germs, and Steel thesis
Satellite image of Mexico link
Satellite image of Spain link
Insights from Jared Diamond's Guns, Germs, and Steel thesis
History (partner 2):
What historical event had the greatest influence on the Spanish or
Aztec worldview? How did this historical event specifically shape the beliefs,
values and later decisions and actions of the Aztec and the Spanish?
Starting point for you research in your Our
Worldviews textbook
Aztecs, pp. 232-235; Spanish: pp. 236-239
Contact with other
groups (partner 3): Which legacy of
the Moors or the Toltec had the greatest influence on the Spanish or Aztec
worldview? How did this legacy specifically shape the beliefs, values and later
decisions and actions of the Aztec and the Spanish?
Starting point for you research in your Our Worldviews textbook
Starting point for you research in your Our Worldviews textbook
Aztecs, pp. 244-247; Spanish: pp. 242-243
Inquiry Tasks:
1a. Research: Using the Note-taking format document I sent out, after choosing which areas you will be focusing on,
begin by writing down your question at the top of the document. Then go to the
related textbook chapters and complete all sections of the document. This document asks you to define key terms, make connections to
other things you have read or seen, ask questions and pursue further research, along with identifying at least 7 images
that correspond to what you are reading (please paste in the URL you got the
image from). Sections 1-5 are Due Friday, March 16th.
2. Isolating possible
responses graphic organizer: Once you have completed your notes, fill out section 6 of the Note Taking Notebook which asks you to rank from 1-3 which elements were most important in shaping the worldview of the Spanish or the Aztec. On the far right, base your justification in relation to the following set of criteria for historical significance (Historical Benchmarks Project):
- Resulting in change
- The influence of this element lasted over a long period of time
- This element affected many people
- This element had a very deep impact at the time
The expectation is that you provide a well developed and detailed response to justify your decisions. Ensure to include supporting details and a clear rational for why each of your top three elements had a deep impact on the Spanish and the Aztec. This is due Monday, March 19th
3. Most significant element digital narrative (3:00 minutes): In relation to the element that you feel was most important in shaping the worldview of the Spanish or the Aztec, create a mini-Pecha Kucha (what is this) digital narrative response consisting of 6 slides. This should be completed in iMovie form. In this format you have 20 seconds per slide to communicate your response. With an average of 50-60 words per slide, your digital narrative script should be from 300 to no more than 360 words. This will be imbedded into your KMZ file.
4. Create a set of 2 place markers on a Google Earth KMZ file: Saving your work in a Google Earth KMZ file, along with your digital narrative, add place markers for the second and third most important elements that shaped the Spanish and Aztec worldview. To do this include an image and short write-up briefly outlining 2 other events, geographic features, or legacies that influenced the Spanish or Aztec worldview. Here you are asked to use a W5 format to explain 1) what the element is, 2) where the influence was found, 3) the duration of time this element affected people, 4) who was involved, and 5) why and how this element influenced the worldview, beliefs, and actions of the Spanish or the Aztec. Once you have done this, create a well written paragraph using the elements of powerful writing above.
To create this digital narrative we will be working on the following elements of powerful writing:
· Word choice: descriptive and sophisticated language Strategies: Consciously add more descriptive, sophisticated language. Use powerful, more original verbs (walked-sauntered, worked-toiled). Adopt adverb- verb combinations (slowly sauntered; one must carefully consider).
· Supporting details: the state, explain, support format Strategies: These should be specific, and come in the form of facts, technical language, and quotes from a reliable source.
As well, we will be looking at the clarity of your voice and the quality and appropriateness of the images you choose.
4. Create a set of 2 place markers on a Google Earth KMZ file: Saving your work in a Google Earth KMZ file, along with your digital narrative, add place markers for the second and third most important elements that shaped the Spanish and Aztec worldview. To do this include an image and short write-up briefly outlining 2 other events, geographic features, or legacies that influenced the Spanish or Aztec worldview. Here you are asked to use a W5 format to explain 1) what the element is, 2) where the influence was found, 3) the duration of time this element affected people, 4) who was involved, and 5) why and how this element influenced the worldview, beliefs, and actions of the Spanish or the Aztec. Once you have done this, create a well written paragraph using the elements of powerful writing above.
Specific How to video for this project created by Mr. Johnson
Tutorial on how to imbed video in a KMZ file and save your file
html code for inserting pictures:
html code for inserting video:
html code for inserting pictures:
html code for inserting video:
