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SERI OMEGA PRIVATE & INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL

SUBJECT: HISTORY LEVEL: YEAR 2 ONLINE LESSON: 12

DATE: 16th AUG 2021

Music and Flowers

Aztec Music
 Among the Aztecs music, song, and dance played a very ________________ role.
 Many of the songs were sacred ________________.
 Musical sounds, songs, and dance movements had _________________ meanings.
 These hymns would commemorate the deeds of great ___________ or the ___________.
 The musical sounds accompanied ritual acts, such as _________________ and
____________________.
 Music and dance were understood as a __________ to the gods.

 There was music performed by the __________________ in each household, in local

township __________________, and certain ________________ in the heart of the Aztec
temple.
 Within the Aztec temple, music was performed by
_____________, in sacred _________________ and on top of the
___________________.
 There were also sacred temple ______________ directed
towards the ______________ and temple _________________
performed by priests.

 Apart from the music of the priests, there was _______________ performed by
professional __________________ and ________________, who lived in the palace of the
Aztec ruler.

1
 The court musicians performed the music of large circular dances.
 They played music for their rulers, such as during _________________ and private
_______________.
 Some of the court musicians were among the best singers of the Aztec empire.

Music played a very important role among the Aztec ________________ of the
______________ and ________________ societies.
These groups of noble warriors gathered in the ________________ to practise dances and
songs.
The performance was performed in the ceremonies of the sacred temple.

† ___________________________ were precious objects.

† They were stored in the _________________ sanctuaries and _________________.
† The temple and the court musicians used instruments made from the most precious
materials.
† For example, they would use fine ____________ and _________________ for the wooden
drums, ___________, and ________________ for bells, or marine _____________ for
rattles and trumpets.
† The most famous type of drum was called _________________.
† It was a large, ___________________, hand drum covered with an animal skin cover.
† There was also a long horizontal drum known as _____________________.
† Some musical instruments were regarded as ________________________.
† These instruments were kept on ________________ and small _______________ called
Red Temples.

_______________________ ______________________

2
Flowers
 ______________ played an important role in Aztec life.
 They’re not only __________________ for ceremonial events but
also have meaning in each individual’s life.
 Flowers accompanied humans from _____________ to
_____________ and burial.
 Clearly, flowers were one of the basic elements in their lives and were considered
_____________.
 Aztecs used flowers as _____________ for a wide range of subjects, including
___________, and _______________.
 Stone carved flower or plant symbols were common _______________ ideas on
________________ and __________________.
 The ______________ carried bouquets of flowers as a symbol of mutual respect and
____________________.

 The ancient Mexicans enjoyed and shared a love for _______________ and growing
__________________.
 They normally grew flowers in courtyards and on roofs, as well as in the famous ‘places of
fields of flowers’ – ______________________ – outside of Tenochtitlan.
 Creating and developing a garden was a well-respected ________________ for the Aztecs.
 The nobles would grow plants with highly organised teams of ______________________.
 These professional gardeners would link their ___________________ of plants to the
____________________________.

 When the Spanish reached Mexico, the Aztecs were cultivating

double-flowering ___________________ and
___________________.
 Many flower __________________ were being developed
which showed them using _______________________.

3
 As well as flowers, fruits, and vegetables, the Mexicans were also familiar with some 3,000
___________________________.

 The calendar of monthly festivals was

_____________________________________________________.
 The seventh, eighth, and ninth months were in fact
_____________________________________.
 In these celebrations, participants would embellish themselves with
____________________________.
 After the ___________________________, these flower garlands were offered to the
______________.
 There were also annual competitions where youths competed to climb
_________________________ to win the floral _____________________ or
__________________ of maidens.

Exercise 1: Match the word to the correct meaning.

Meaning

Any plants used for flavouring

Words
and medicine.
Hymn
Banquet Flower arrangement in a circular
band.
Herb
Garland
A religious song of praise of God.

A large formal meal for many

people.

4
Exercise 2: State “True” of “False” for the following statements.
1. Musical sounds, songs, and dance movements had religious meanings. _________
2. Many of the songs were sacred hymns. _________
3. Performances were only done by the nobles. _________
4. Within the Aztec temple, music was performed by people who was going
to be sacrificed. _________
5. The court music performed by professional musicians. _________
6. Music was not an important element among the Aztec warriors. _________
7. The warriors would gather in the courtyard to practise dances and songs. _________
8. Sacred musical instruments were stored in shrines. _________

Exercise 3: Tick ( ) the correct statement.

1.
Flowers are only used as a decorative item in Aztec society.
Flowers are not only decorations but they also have meaning in the
Aztec society.

2.
Stone carved flower was common decorative ideas on temples and
palaces.
Stone carved flower was common decorative ideas on commoner’s
houses.

3.
The ancient Mexicans enjoyed and shared a love for gardens and
growing flowers.
The ancient Mexicans did not enjoy or share a love for gardens and
growing flowers.

5
4.
Flowers accompanied humans from birth to marriage.
Flowers accompanied humans from birth to death

5.
The calendar of monthly festivals was marked by the position of the
sun's rise.
The calendar of monthly festivals was marked by abundant use of
flowers.

Exercise 4: Below is an excerpt from the Codex about flowers. Read the excerpt and answer
the following questions.

1. What is the text all about?

________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
2. List down 2 things that can be done with flowers.
i. __________________________________________________________________
ii. __________________________________________________________________
3. ‘I string flower’. What do you think the author is trying to do with the flowers?
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
4. How many times the word ‘flower’ is being repeated in this excerpt?
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________

6
 SERI OMEGA PRIVATE & INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL

SUBJECT: HISTORY LEVEL: YEAR 2 ONLINE LESSON: 12

DATE: 16th AUG 2021

Music and Flowers

Aztec Music
 Among the Aztecs music, song, and dance played a very important role.
 Many of the songs were sacred hymns.
 Musical sounds, songs, and dance movements had religious meanings.
 These hymns would commemorate the deeds of great rulers or the gods.
 The musical sounds accompanied ritual acts, such as offerings and sacrifices.
 Music and dance were understood as a gift to the gods.

 There was music performed by the commoners in each

household, in local township festivities, and certain
ceremonies in the heart of the Aztec temple.
 Within the Aztec temple, music was performed by priests, in
sacred courtyards and on top of the pyramids.
 There were also sacred temple chants directed towards the
deities and temple dances performed by priests.

 Apart from the music of the priests, there was court music performed by professional
musicians and singers, who lived in the palace of the Aztec ruler.
 The court musicians performed the music of large circular dances.
 They played music for their rulers, such as during daily banquets and private feasts.
 Some of the court musicians were among the best singers of the Aztec empire.

7
 Music played a very important role among the Aztec warriors of the eagle and jaguar
societies.
These groups of noble warriors gathered in the Cuicacalli, to practise dances and songs.
The performance was performed in the ceremonies of the sacred temple.

† Musical instruments were precious objects.

† They were stored in the temple sanctuaries and palace.
† The temple and the court musicians used instruments made from the most precious
materials.
† For example, they would use fine woods and jaguar skins for the wooden drums, gold, and
copper for bells, or marine shells for rattles and trumpets.
† The most famous type of drum was called huehuetl
† It was a large, vertical, hand drum covered with an animal skin cover.
† There was also a long horizontal drum known as teponaztli.
† Some musical instruments were regarded as sacred objects.
† These instruments were kept on altars and small shrines called Red Temples.

Teponaztli Huehuetl

Flowers
 Flowers played an important role in Aztec life.
 They’re not only decorations for ceremonial events but also have
meaning in each individual’s life.
 Flowers accompanied humans from birth to death and burial.

8
 Clearly, flowers were one of the basic elements in their lives and were considered
precious.
 Aztecs used flowers as symbols for a wide range of subjects, including gods, and warfare.
 Stone carved flower or plant symbols were common decorative ideas on temples and
palaces.
 The nobles carried bouquets of flowers as a symbol of mutual respect and admiration.

 The ancient Mexicans enjoyed and shared a love for gardens and growing flowers.
 They normally grew flowers in courtyards and on roofs, as well as in the famous ‘places of
fields of flowers’ – Xochimilco – outside of Tenochtitlan.
 Creating and developing a garden was a well-respected pastime for the Aztecs.
 The nobles would grow plants with highly organised teams of professional gardeners.
 These professional gardeners would link their knowledge of plants to the sacred calendar.

 When the Spanish reached Mexico, the Aztecs were

cultivating double-flowering marigolds and dahlias.
 Many flower varieties were being developed which
showed them using scientific techniques.
 As well as flowers, fruits, and vegetables, the
Mexicans were also familiar with some 3,000
medicinal herbs.

 The calendar of monthly festivals was marked by abundant use of flowers.

 The seventh, eighth, and ninth months were in fact celebrations of flowers.
 In these celebrations, participants would embellish themselves with floral garlands.
 After the ceremonial dances, these flower garlands were offered to the gods.

9
 There were also annual competitions where youths competed to climb temple steps to
win the floral headdresses or crowns of maidens.
Exercise 1: Match the word to the correct meaning.

Meaning

Any plants used for flavouring

Words and medicine.
Hymn
Banquet Flower arrangement in a circular
band.
Herb
Garland
A religious song of praise of God.

A large formal meal for many

people.

Exercise 2: State “True” of “False” for the following statements.

1. Musical sounds, songs, and dance movements had religious meanings. True
2. Many of the songs were sacred hymns. True
3. Performances were only done by the nobles. False
4. Within the Aztec temple, music was performed by people who were going
to be sacrificed. False
5. The court music was performed by professional musicians. True
6. Music was not an important element among the Aztec warriors. False
7. The warriors would gather in the courtyard to practise dances and songs. False
8. Sacred musical instruments were stored in shrines. True

10
Exercise 3: Tick ( ) the correct statement.
1.
Flowers are only used as a decorative item in Aztec society.
Flowers are not only decorations but they also have meaning in the
Aztec society.

2.
Stone carved flower was common decorative ideas on temples and
palaces.
Stone carved flower was common decorative ideas on commoner’s
houses.

3.
The ancient Mexicans enjoyed and shared a love for gardens and
growing flowers.
The ancient Mexicans did not enjoy or share a love for gardens and
growing flowers.

4.
Flowers accompanied humans from birth to marriage.
Flowers accompanied humans from birth to death.

5.
The calendar of monthly festivals was marked by the position of the
sun's rise.
The calendar of monthly festivals was marked by abundant use of
flowers.

11
Exercise 4: Below is an excerpt from the Codex about flowers. Read the excerpt and answer
the following questions.

1. What is the text all about?

It’s about what Aztecs do with their flowers.

2. List down 2 things that can be done with flowers.

i. Bouquets
ii. Flower necklace
iii. Garland

3. ‘I string flower’. What do you think the author is trying to do with the flowers?
The author is trying to form a flower garland by tying the string at the stalk of the flowers.

4. How many times the word ‘flower’ is being repeated in this excerpt?
18.

12