Bringing History to Life: Inca Runners in Action!

First-grade students recently wrapped up another CKLA Knowledge Unit, “Early American Civilizations,” where they explored Maya, Aztec, and Inca cultures. One of the most exciting parts was learning about the Inca empire’s communication system. Without a written language, the Incas relied on specially trained runners to carry important verbal messages across long distances, passing them from runner to runner until they reached the emperor.

Bringing this learning to life, students stepped into the role of Inca runners. In teams, they ran relay races, running messages to one another and working together to successfully deliver them to their “emperors,” Mrs. Harris and Mrs. Koeppl. There was lots of energy, teamwork, and excitement as students experienced just how important, and challenging, this job could be!

After the relays, students created a writing piece sharing whether they would enjoy a job as an Inca runner. Many students gave thoughtful reasons, with some loving the idea of running and delivering messages, while others decided it might be a little too tiring! This engaging experience helped bring history to life in a meaningful (and memorable!) way, while also strengthening teamwork and writing skills.