Aztec Mosaic Mask Lesson Plan

1. The Aztec civilization flourished in Mexico from 1345-1521. Have students learn about the Aztecs - their origins, history, artwork, etc. A good source might be the DK Eyewitness Book "Aztec, Inca & Maya." Aztec masks were created for many purposes including for rituals, as a death mask, or just to be displayed as an ornament, and often included turquoise stones. Show an image of The Mask of Xiuhtecuhtli. In Aztec mythology, Xiuhtecuhtli was the god of fire, day, and heat, and was known as the "Turquoise Lord."
2. Have students use a paper plate as a base on which to build their own Aztec mosaic mask. Ask them to trim or fold the plate and then paint it. Have them roll out slabs of Model Magic in various colors. Or this is a great way to use up Model Magic that has gotten stiff or is dried out. Cut the Model Magic into mosaic-size tiles and set them aside to dry.
3. Next have students blend paint colors to resemble Aztec turquoise and any other colors represented in Aztec art. The Model Magic can be painted and left to dry. Then the squares can be glued onto the mask base, leaving narrow spaces between them for a "grouted" look.
4. Display the masks with information the students learned about the Aztecs of ancient Mexico.

ARTS: Explore and invent art-making techniques and approaches.

SS: Culture: Create, learn, share, and adapt to culture.

SS: Culture: Through experience, observation, and reflection, identify elements of culture as well as similarities and differences among cultural groups across time and place.

Tenochtitlan was the ancient capital of the Aztec empire and it is now the site of Mexico City, the capital of Mexico. What was its importance to Aztec civilization? Who was it named for? What were some of its contributions?

Have students learn about the chinampa farms of Tenochtitlan, the capital of the Aztec empire. These are small rectangular areas of arable land used to grow crops on the shallow lake beds.