Clark Kent and Superman)? Record their responses on a (interactive) whiteboard or piece of chart paper in the front of the classroom. Ask students to think about the following question: What are some examples of individuals and their alter egos (e.g.Invite the students to look at the figure’s expression again and notice how the shape of the mouth could be compared to a jaguar’s snarl.

Explain that an alter ego is a person's second self, or second personality. Explain to students that the Olmec believed that powerful individuals were able to transform into jaguar alter egos.You can find several maps of Mesoamerica by going to Google Images and entering “Mesoamerica” in the search box. Show students where Mesoamerica was located on a world map. Share with students that the figure was created in Mesoamerica between 1000 and 500 B.C.What do they notice? How would they describe the body position of the figure? How would they describe the expression on the figure's face? What materials do they think were used to make the figure? How do they think the artist made the figure? What adjectives would they use to describe the figure? Does the figure remind them of any other art objects they have seen? Warm-up: Display or pass out copies of the Olmec Seated Figure and invite students to look carefully and share what they observe.

What does alter ego mean