1. Aztec Education

2. Introduction
Aztec children were educated at home before they started school
It is estimated they started school between the ages 10 and 15
Children were pampered until they were three, then they were supposed to be hard-working and obedient
If children were disobedient, they were punished
Turn them into citizens with “a stone heart and a stone face”
What does it mean? How does this fit with citizenship?
Education was highly valued in Aztec society
Schooling was free
Every child went to school, this is called universal education
There were two kinds of schools
Calmecac (call-MEH-cakh)
Telpochcalli (tell-poach-CALL-lee)

3. High government officials
Schools for Nobles
The calmecac was the school for children born into the nobility
It was located in the neighbourhood where nobles lived and it was often attached to a temple
Students studied codices to learn about their society
Religion was also an important part of their education
What they studied
What they trained to be
Astronomy/Astrology
Generals in the Army
Mathematics
Judges
Reading
Priests
Writing
Scribes
Music
High government officials
Law
Diplomats
The Calendar
Teachers

4. Reading, Writing and Counting
All higher education was based on the ability to read and write using glyphs instead of letters
Only nobles would learn how to read and write
Commoners received their education through the spoken word
How does this enforce the social hierarchy?
What is our counting system based on?
The Aztec counting system was based on the number 20
It took on a sacred meaning
Each month had 20 days

5. Military Training
Boys trained as warriors at school so they could defend the Aztec empire
Once their training was complete, they would serve as a soldier's servant and follow the army to observe
At 15 years old, boys would become warriors themselves and take an active role in battle
The eagle and jaguar were the most prestigious military orders
Why do you think this is?

6. Education for Commoners
The commoners' schools were called telpochcalli
All instruction was spoken – they needed to learn lessons through rote memorization
They were given lessons in Aztec history, religion and citizenship duties
Music was important to society, so they also learned to play flutes, drums and dance sacred dances
Boys spent much of their time in school doing hard labour, like digging ditches and carrying firewood
Girls and boys also received education from their parents

7. Educating Aztec Women Aztec women had little political power
The emperor and council members were all men
They thought it was important for women to be educated, however
Every girl received an education no matter her rank
At age 16 most got married and lived with their husbands
They then educated their own children
Although women could not hold positions in public office, they were not undervalued
Women were healers and doctors and often travelled with the army
Some became priestesses and their wisdom was highly sought
Older women acted as matchmakers or midwives

8. Social Roles
When an Aztec girl was born, their umbilical cord was placed beneath the family fireplace
When an Aztec boy was born, their umbilical cord was buried in a battlefield
What do these actions tell us about gender roles?
Take care that your garments are such as are decent and proper; and observe that you do not adorn yourself with much finery, since this is a mark of vanity and folly. As little becoming is it that your dress should be dirty, or ragged, since rags are a mark of the low When you speak, do not hurry your words speak deliberately and calmly. In walking see that you behave becomingly, neither going with haste, nor too slowly; since it is an evidence of being puffed up to walk too slowly, and walking hastily causes a vicious habit of restlessness and instability.
-Advice to Aztec girl from her mother