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Bierhorst, J. (Ed.). (1984). The hungry woman. New York, NY: William Morrow and Company. ISBN:0-688-02766-0.
Genre: Traditional Literature, Multicultural Literature
Grade Level: 6-8
Summary: Throughout this book, various Aztec myths and legends are told. The book chronologically tells the myths, starting with the Aztec creation myths leading through to myths told after Cortes’ arrival. Myths featured include: “The Hungry Woman”, which tells of how the Earth came into being, “The Eagle on the Prickly Pear”, which tells of the founding of the Aztec city Tenochtitlan, and “The Return of Quetzalcoatl” which foreshadows the Spaniards arrival in the area. All of the myths and legends in the book help readers develop an understanding of Aztec traditions and values.
Activity: Although the introduction of this book gives readers a background into some of the Aztec spirits, there are still many other spirits referenced throughout the work. In order to help students learn more about other characters in Aztec legends, they should create a tri-fold brochure about one spirit of their choosing.
Some suggestions include: Quetzalcoatl, Tezcatlipoca, Huitzilopochtli, Mictlantecuhtli, Malinalxochitl, Coyolxauhqui, Toci, Tonantzin, Tlaloc, Nanahuatl, Xipe-Totec, Mictecacihuatl
In their brochure, have students include:
-The name of their god/spirit
-Why their god/spirit is important, or what their role was in Aztec culture
-A brief synopsis of one myth associated with that god
-How the Aztecs viewed the god/ spirit
-A similar god in another culture, and how they parallel each other
-A picture, if available
After students create this tri-fold brochure, have them present their god to the class using their brochure for reference.
Original Activity by Ellen Bryce
Genre: Traditional Literature, Multicultural Literature
Grade Level: 6-8
Summary: Throughout this book, various Aztec myths and legends are told. The book chronologically tells the myths, starting with the Aztec creation myths leading through to myths told after Cortes’ arrival. Myths featured include: “The Hungry Woman”, which tells of how the Earth came into being, “The Eagle on the Prickly Pear”, which tells of the founding of the Aztec city Tenochtitlan, and “The Return of Quetzalcoatl” which foreshadows the Spaniards arrival in the area. All of the myths and legends in the book help readers develop an understanding of Aztec traditions and values.
Activity: Although the introduction of this book gives readers a background into some of the Aztec spirits, there are still many other spirits referenced throughout the work. In order to help students learn more about other characters in Aztec legends, they should create a tri-fold brochure about one spirit of their choosing.
Some suggestions include: Quetzalcoatl, Tezcatlipoca, Huitzilopochtli, Mictlantecuhtli, Malinalxochitl, Coyolxauhqui, Toci, Tonantzin, Tlaloc, Nanahuatl, Xipe-Totec, Mictecacihuatl
In their brochure, have students include:
-The name of their god/spirit
-Why their god/spirit is important, or what their role was in Aztec culture
-A brief synopsis of one myth associated with that god
-How the Aztecs viewed the god/ spirit
-A similar god in another culture, and how they parallel each other
-A picture, if available
After students create this tri-fold brochure, have them present their god to the class using their brochure for reference.
Original Activity by Ellen Bryce