Aztec Attack! Codex Directions

Read pages 48-51. Basic directions are given on page 51 as Response Activity #2.

Project Steps:

1. Imagine that you are one of the non-Aztec people living in the area during ancient times. Write 5-7 sentences to tell a story about what happened the day that the Aztec attacked your village. Write as if you (the main character) are speaking to tell others about what happened. Include at least one sentence for each of the following:
   • Beginning – Tell what life was like for your people before the Aztec came.
   • Middle –
     • What did you see as the Aztec approached your settlement?
     • What happened when they arrived?
     • How did you act after they attacked?
   • End – Explain what life was like for your people after the Aztec conquered you.
2. Accordian-fold a 6-sheet section of paper. When you finish, turn it so that the first folded edge is on the right side of the folded stack of paper. This is your "codex". (More than one codex are called codecies.)
3. Create a cover for your story on the first page that you see. The cover page should have the story's title, a full-color picture, your first and last name showing that you are the author and illustrator, your class number, and the date that the project is due.
4. Open your "codex". On the 5 pages that follow the cover page, write the edited sentences from step 1 at the bottom of each frame. There should be one frame for the beginning, three frames for the middle (see step 1's descriptions), and one frame for the ending.
5. Make pencil drawings of the events shown in each frame. Do your best to be detailed, and to make your codex look something like the "journey" pictures from pages 47-51 in your textbook. Try to make the illustrations flow from one frame to the next, but each tell that specific frame's part of the story. Each frame's space should be fully filled with detailed illustrations. Although the reality of such an attack was very violent, do not be overly gory... This should be something you would be proud to show your parents, grandparents, principal, or priest. It should not frighten the kindergarteners if they see it on the wall in the hallway!
6. Color your drawings neatly, completely, and with colors that either are bright (like the Aztec codex), or that show the shifting mood of the story-teller (bright to dark or dull). Be sure to leave only the text area without color, so that it is easy to read.
7. Turn in your codex, accordian-folded correctly so that the cover page is on top.

Scoring Guide:

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