Interactive
PBS

Pbs Learning Media: Writings of the Ancient Maya

For Teachers 3rd - 8th
Students are introduced to the ancient Mayan civilization through their writings. They explore a social studies focus on the destruction of many Mayan writings by the Spanish and what archaeologists have learned from the writings that...
Website
Incredible Art Department

The Incredible Art Department: Ancient Mayan Civilization Art & Culture

For Students 9th - 10th
Looks at the art and culture of the Maya civilization including history, forms of art, recent discoveries, and some art lessons. There is also a lengthy list of web resource links.
Website
Canadian Museum of History

Canadian Museum of History: Maya Civilization

For Students 4th - 8th
Lots of information about many facets of the Maya civilization. Covers the history, people, geography, languages, cities, society, cosmology, the calendar, and lots more. Includes a glossary and a timeline.
Handout
Other

Ancient Scripts: Writing Systems

For Students 9th - 10th
History and definition of writing, plus extensive information on the types, families, and regions of written languages. For each language, you'll find information on when and where it was used, the people who used it, and what it looked...
Activity
Mex Connect

Mexconnect: The Ancient Maya: A Commercial Empire

For Students 9th - 10th
This article discusses the implications of trade and commerce during the Mayan Period. The principles of resource allocation and specialization are discussed. (Published January 1, 2006)
Primary
Other

Mesoweb: The Temple of the Inscriptions Tablets

For Students 9th - 10th
Wonderful PDF files of various tablets found at the Temple of the Inscriptions in the ancient Maya city-state of Palenque.
Whiteboard
ClassFlow

Class Flow: Ancient Meso America

For Teachers 6th - 8th
[Free Registration/Login Required] This lesson is an overview of Ancient Meso-America. Students will learn about the geography, first civilizations including the Olmec and Maya and their political, economic and social structures.
Website
Other

Life and Death in Ancient Mexico

For Students 9th - 10th
This site describes the religious beliefs of the Olmecs and other ancient Mexicans, especially in regard to life and death, using artifacts and myths.
Website
Annenberg Foundation

Annenberg Learner: Collapse: Why Do Civilizations Fall?

For Students 3rd - 8th
Why did great civilizations fall? War, disease, overpopulation or natural disasters? Interactive content and activities allow you, by sifting through archaeological evidence, to investigate the collapse of the Mayan civilization, the...
Article
Scholastic

Scholastic: Junior Scholastic: Jungle of Secrets

For Students 3rd - 5th
Check out this site to discover more about the Ancient Maya culture. An article and video are provided. [2:19]
Handout
Other

Different World: Uxmal Archaeological Site

For Students 9th - 10th
Explore the ancient Mayan city of Uxmal.
Handout
Other

Mc Clung Museum: Maya: Portraits of a People

For Students 9th - 10th
Gives a short but concise summary of the Mayan civilization along with a timeline and pictures. Can serve as a good introduction to the Mayans. Map of the region is also available.
Website
Smithsonian Institution

National Museum of Natural History: Unmasking the Maya: Story of Sna Jtz'ibajom

For Students 9th - 10th
This Smithsonian website looks at the Maya of today in the Chiapas region of Mexico with a brief overview of their history.
Primary
Other

Maya Stories

For Students 9th - 10th
This site has a collection of Maya stories and myths which can be used as primary sources.
Website
PBS

Pbs Nova Online: Be an Archaeologist

For Students 9th - 10th
Ancient artifacts tell archaeologists a lot about the lives of prehistoric people. Sharpen your archaeological skills by reassembling broken pieces of a clay pot. See before and after photos of ruins, plus a film of a projected...
Lesson Plan
Lin and Don Donn

Lin and Don Donn: Maya Empire for Kids: Daily Life

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
A history teacher shares ideas as well as lesson and unit plans for teaching about the Mayans.
Handout
The History Cat

The History Cat: Lost World of the Maya

For Students 9th - 10th
Read about the ancient civilization of the Maya in and around the Yucatan Peninsula. Find information on the lost city of Copan and understand the social hierarchy of the Maya.
Website
Other

Mayan Kids

For Students 3rd - 5th
Explore the history, beliefs, people, and culture of the ancient Maya in this enchanting website. It includes games, clip art, and a glossary of terms.
Website
Other

Archaeological Legacy Institute: Archaeology Channel: Video Buffet

For Students 9th - 10th
This site has a large collection of free videos featuring various archaeology sites all over the world.
Handout
The History Cat

The History Cat: Mayan Achievements

For Students 9th - 10th
Discusses the Maya system of astronomy and their calendar.
Website
American Indian Heritage Foundation

Mayan Civilization

For Students 9th - 10th
This site describes the geography and landscape of the areas once inhabited by the Mayas. There is also information on Mayan writing, literature, culture, political organization, Mayan art, and other information on the Mayan Civilization.
Handout
Foundation for the Advancement of Mesoamerican Studies

Famsi: John Pohl's Mesoamerica

For Students 9th - 10th
Comprehensive overview of Mesoamerica includes an introduction of the term Mesoamerica, the human populations and the region covered, a chronology including the PreClassic, Classic and PostClassic periods, and art and writing in ancient...
Website
Other

Personal: Rubbings of the Maya Sculpture

For Students 9th - 10th
This personal site provides a large collection of rubbings taken from Mayan stelae, etc. Great primary source.
Website
Ducksters

Ducksters: History for Kids: Aztecs, Maya, and Inca

For Students 4th - 8th
Kids learn about the ancient civilizations of the Americas including the Aztecs, Maya, and Inca Empires.