HOT TIP |
NEW: JUNE 2020... We’ve just developed a brand new VC programme giving a fun introduction to the Maya AND the Aztecs |
FREE Home videoconferencing with schools and families
We offer live interactive videoconferencing (VC) sessions with schools and home learners from our London base. Subjects covered include the Aztecs, the Maya, the Day of the Dead, and more... We have content for all ages, from KS1 to adult.
2020: You can now enjoy a FREE VC with us, using Zoom, during the pandemic! Currently on offer from this summer is a) a fun introduction to the Maya and the Aztecs, and b) a glance at the famous and mysterious Aztec Sunstone (pic below) with its intriguing story of 5 world creations...
|
| We take you to the heart of the Mexica (Aztec) Sunstone! (Click on image to enlarge) |
In the VC, participants are challenged to a) find key elements on our model - from the ring of day signs to the Stone’s creation date, from the two giant fire-serpents to the name of the Fifth Sun (era) that we live in today - and b) to work out how the four previous Suns were destroyed, by using clues in the free downloadable resource sheets (PDF links below - ideally should be printed) and guiding us to the right section of the Sunstone...
The session is ‘illustrated’ with demonstrations of artefacts on display beneath the Sunstone model - from copies of ancient Mesoamerican wind and percussion instruments to a replica of the Mixtec Codex Cospi.
|
| Ian and Graciela stress the importance of ancient Mexican codices (books) as evidence for what we know about the Aztecs and the Maya (Click on image to enlarge) |
In years gone by we offered a version of our ‘Snakes & Lizards’ VC challenge as a team visit option. Schools taking part in the S & L time challenge need(ed) to download the two resource sheets below (participants work in teams).
NOW we’re offering shorter sessions (with no max number taking part) looking at sacred numbers and writing, musical instruments, gods, food (inc chocolate!), clothes, and the EVIDENCE for what we know about the peoples of ancient Mesoamerica. Join us...
|
| Sarah Buchan (Deputy Head, holding Bridget) and friends at Bridge & Patrixbourne Primary School (Click on image to enlarge) |
Always having been an artefact-based teaching team, we couldn’t resist the generous offer from Bridge & Patrixbourne CE Primary near Canterbury to let us have on extended loan their 5-foot-long African crocodile, that has hung for years in their loo! ‘Bridget’ was donated to the school decades ago by the brother of a former staff member. ‘Snakes and Lizards’ won’t be quite the same again...
|
| Ian demonstrating Aztec musical instruments to the camera (Click on image to enlarge) |
We recently enjoyed running a ‘Snakes and Lizards’ team challenge on the Aztec Sunstone with a Year 6 class from the Churchill School, nr. Folkstone, Kent. They commented ‘We felt the session was a great success and has given us a real enthusiasm to find ways of using video conferencing with other classes and in other subjects. The Year 6 children were full of talk after the session and Emma said she had been impressed with how much they had gained from the lesson...’
|
| Feedback from an Aztecs VC (Click on image to enlarge) |
More comments from teachers: ‘What an interesting videoconference you gave the children. They certainly learnt a lot about Mexico... We loved the musical instruments and it was wonderful to be able to hear them so clearly’. Read more feedback, reproduced from the UK Distance Learning Association magazine, left...
|
| Aztecs VC session with The Churchill School (Click on image to enlarge) |
And more! This from Angie Preston, class teacher at Roundhill Junior School, Knottingley, W. Yorks (2009): I just wanted to say Thank You on behalf of myself and the children, for a fantastic video conference. It was brilliant! We all thoroughly enjoyed looking at the artefacts and learning about the Aztec calendar. Although we are not actually studying the Aztecs, it has certainly whet our appetite to want to go and find out more. The children were engaged throughout and liked the interactive aspect of using the sheets and taking part in the team challenge. Thanks again for a great VC...
|
| Ian helps set the scene... (Click on image to enlarge) |
Practical points, 2020: Each session is flexible in terms of duration (average: 30-45 mins.) and content, allowing for the particular requests and interests of participants. No limit on numbers, and all are encouraged to ask questions as the VC progresses.
Once a date and time are agreed, an email is sent to participants inviting them to join a Zoom meeting. Just click on the link, download the app, and we’re away...!
|
| Children help Graciela place key objects on her Day of the Dead ‘ofrenda’ (Click on image to enlarge) |
Other videoconferencing options: Decorating an Ofrenda (family altar) for the Day of the Dead festival, Basic Spanish Conversation, Mexico Today, Mexican Musical Instruments... Contact Mexicolore for further details
|
| Graciela and Ian helping you get to the heart of the Aztec Calendar or Sunstone... (Click on image to enlarge) |
Resource 1: 20 daysigns worksheet (2.1Mbyte)
Resource 2: Sunstone graphic (876kbyte)
Here's what others have said:
3 At 3.17am on Sunday May 10 2020, Gladys Vela-Lopez wrote:
Thank you so much for the great presentation! It was a pleasure working with both of you. Everything was well explained and was very interesting. I’m sure there will be a few students that will now be teaching their families about the calendar...
Mexicolore replies: We were much impressed by your students, who responded keenly and respectfully. Thanks for arranging a videoconference with us! We enjoyed working with you all.
2 At 7.16am on Tuesday April 21 2020, Carlo Ligotti wrote:
Ian and Graciela were amazing! Since our California schools began Shelter In Place, our students have been a bit stir crazy. Mexicolore’s offer of a free Video Conference was music to my ears. Ian’s exploration of the Aztec Sunstone was a fascinating journey that my students and I were able to take from the comfort of our own homes. We can’t thank them enough for their dedicated, genuine and thoughtful approach to teaching children about the ancient history of Mesoamerica. I can’t wait to take my next class on a Video Conference adventure with Ian and Graciela.
Mexicolore replies: Thank you! We very much enjoyed working with your group of students, and hope it whetted their appetite to learn more about Mexico’s rich and ancient history. The children were a delight to work with in every way...
1 At 1.48pm on Tuesday March 31 2020, Lucy Pickles wrote:
We had a thoroughly informative and interesting video conferencing session today regarding the Aztec calendar. The time flew by and the children loved it. Ian and Graciela explained it all so clearly and as we are home schooling at the moment, it really was great knowing the children were learning from people with great expertise. I learned an awful lot too!! Thank you so much for your time.
Mexicolore replies: Thanks for booking a session. Your kids are as bright as buttons, and got to the heart of the Calendar Stone impressively quickly...!
More on Snakes & Lizards...