Students may choose to write about the first meeting of the Aztecs and the Spanish conquistadors. Ask the students to imagine what the Aztecs thought when they first saw Europeans. Imagine what the Spanish thought when they first saw the treasures and buildings of the mighty Aztec Empire.
The Aztec Empire and the Conquistadors
Timeline of Spanish Exploration in the New World
Explain to students that Zheng He is often called the Chinese Christopher Columbus. Ask students to explain the similarities between NASA's explorations of the moon and Mars and the journeys of early explorers like Zheng He and Christopher Columbus.
Zheng He - The Chinese Muslim Admiral
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Sor Juana lived at a time when the only women allowed to pursue higher education were women of the church. Sor Juana became a nun to pursue her studies. She became a writer who believed women should have an equal right to an education.
The Life and Work of Sor Juana
The Castillo de San Marcos National Monument is part of the National Parks system. Students can explore other U.S. National Parks online at www.nationalparks.com, such as Mount Rushmore or Yellowstone National Park.
Castillo de San Marcos Web site
More information about the National Monument
Research Links for the Spanish Quarter Museum