In our 7th-grade Spanish humanities class, students have been learning about some of the ancient civilizations that inhabited different areas of Mesoamerica and some of their key differences.

Some of these included the Olmecs, considered the oldest and biggest influence in the other civilizations of the surrounding areas over the next centuries, and the Toltecs, the Zapotecs, the Mexicas, Teotihuacans and Mayas. After looking at some of the art forms and impressive architecture, students had a try at their own smaller versions of the colossal head sculptures of the Olmec civilization as well as the Atlantes (Toltec warriors) and a Mayan pyramid.