Aztecs, Maya, Incas!: With 25 Social Studies Projects for Kids

A full-color, compelling book for ages 7 to 10 offers a deep dive into the three sophisticated ancient civilizations of Mesoamerica―the Aztecs, Maya, and Incas― through hands-on STEAM projects, essential questions, and loads of fascinating facts!

Why were there more than 3,000 steps built at Machu Picchu? Why did the Aztecs roam Mexico for nearly 200 years before finding a place to settle? How did the Maya study the movements of the stars and the planets? Ancient Civilizations: Aztecs, Maya, Incas! With 25 Social Studies Projects for Kids takes kids ages 7 to 10 on a guided tour to experience the history, culture, economics, and daily life of the Aztecs, Maya, and Incas.

• Travel through humid rainforests, coastal zones, and rocky peaks to spot majestic ruins rising above the jungle, such as the Maya city of Tikal with its steep pyramids, the ruins of Machu Pichu, where the stones were cut so precisely that not even a knife can fit between them, and the Aztec temple Templo Mayor, where people once climbed the steps up the temple to be sacrificed to the Aztec gods.

• The daily lives from thousands of years ago are brought to life through fun illustrations, fascinating facts, essential questions, and hands-on STEAM projects such as constructing model bridges and pyramids, planting floating gardens, and translating hieroglyphics.

• Kids explore the knowledge that has filtered through the centuries from past civilizations and are encouraged to think critically and creatively to recognize the foundations on which people build modern societies.

About the Explore Ancient Civilizations set and Nomad Press

Ancient Civilizations: Aztecs, Maya, Incas! is part of a set of four Explore Ancient Civilization books that bring to life the vibrant cultures of the distant past. The other titles in this series are Ancient Civilizations: Egyptians!, Ancient Civilizations: Romans!, Ancient Civilizations: Greeks!.

Nomad Press books in the Explore Your World series integrate content with participation, encouraging readers to engage in student-directed learning. Combining content with inquiry-based projects stimulates learning and makes it active and alive. Nomad’s unique approach simultaneously grounds kids in factual knowledge while allowing them the space to be curious, creative, and critical thinkers.

All books are leveled for Guided Reading level and Lexile and align with Common Core State Standards and National Curriculum Standards for Social Studies. All titles are available in paperback, hardcover, and ebook formats.

Anita Yasuda is the author of more than 100 books for children. In 2013, she won the Honor Book award, Science for grades K-12, Society of School Librarians International for Explore Flight! With 25 Great Projects and in 2012, she won the gold Moonbeam award for her book Explore The Wild West! With 25 Great Activities. She is a member of the Society of Children’s Books Writers & Illustrators (SCBWI). She splits her time between California and Toronto, Canada.

Tom Casteel is an illustrator and cartoonist that graduated from the Center for Cartoon Studies in 2011. He has illustrated over two dozen books for Nomad Press. He lives in South Bend, Indiana with his wife, son, two smelly dogs and one old cat.