Curated OER
Now You're Speaking My Language; Deciphering the Symbols of Early Civilizations
Young scholars explore early attempts at written language. In this early civilizations lesson, students investigate first attempts at written communication. Among the civilizations covered are Mayan, Greek, and Egyptian.
Curated OER
Drama and Dance
Students create a dance that tells a story then they use the dance for inspiration and write their own. In this drama and dance instructional activity, students discover how the May and Aztec would dance to covey a concept or story....
Curated OER
Common Visions, Common Voices
Students analyze common recurring motifs and themes found in literature and artwork from various cultures. They research and report of the "trickster" motif found in Native american, Mayan, and Ethiopian cultures.
Curated OER
South American Indian Empires
Students study South American Indian Empires. In this South American Indian Empires lesson, students access an interactive web site to determine the answers to a drag and drop activity. They locate the Mayas, Inca, and Aztecs on a blank...
Curated OER
Weavers Tell Their Stories
Students examine the practice of weaving by Mayan women. They read personal accounts and write a sentence stating the main idea. They also write a short report on weaving as a cultural and economic way of life for the Mayan women.
Curated OER
Abuela's Weave Teacher's Guide
Students read and response to the book, Abuela's Weave. In this African-American literature lesson, students discuss pre-reading questions, that focus on family traditions and make predictions about the text. Students read the text and...
Curated OER
Chapter 9: A Surprising Day and A Little Bit About China
Fifth graders complete activities with Chapter 9 of the book The Fastest Pig in the West by Randi Hacker. In this literature lesson, 5th graders discuss the concept of saving face and how it affects the main character's decisions....
Curated OER
Natural Resources and Ancient Cities
Students explain how the availability of natural resources has affected human settlement patterns. They recognize the interactions of human populations on environments and compare the growth of two ancient cities in relation to natural...
Curated OER
Central And South America And Their Ancient Civilizations
Fifth graders listen to lectures on the ancient civilizations of the Aztecs, Incas and Mayans. They construct a mask base and then decorate it in thirds with symbols meaningful to each of the three cultures being studied.
Curated OER
The Ancient Maya
Students explore the culture of the Mayans through a variety of activities. In this lesson about Maya, students analyze pictures in books and on websites, produce scale models of Maya architecture, and create Maya mosaics. Students study...
Curated OER
Expressive Linear Sculpture
Students develop skill in utilizing line in a 3 dimensional context. They explore a variety of techniques for mounting sculptures to a base.
Curated OER
Design Patterns in Everyday Life
Students find symbols and patterns in everyday life. In this patterns lesson, students break into groups and look for specific patterns and symbols. Students record their findings. Students create a graphic organizer with the information.
Curated OER
Let's Go Maya!
Students make an ancient Maya travel guide. In this ancient Maya lesson, students use knowledge from previous lessons to design a travel guide. They include important information for a traveler who wants to visit an ancient Maya city....
Curated OER
Artifacts: Bringing the Past Back to Life -- the Mexican Case
Students examine and discuss the meanings of the various symbols in Tenochtitlan. In groups, they complete a part of the model of the city and discuss the importance of finding artifacts. Individually, they choose an a two-dimensional...
Curated OER
The Selling of the Taj Mahal or Osaka Castle
Students practice their marketing skills. In this historical sites lesson, students select and research historical sites in the world that they market and attempt to sell to a businessman.
Curated OER
Who am I? Bookmaking
Students explore the process of bookmaking that has its origins from many different international cultures. The multicultural symbolism represented by the medium is utilized by students to expres their identity.
Curated OER
Anasazi/Mesoamerican/Andean: Time and Cultural Passages
Seventh graders role play the position of someone in one of six different civilization groups. They research the group's development, advancement and fall of their civilization. They create a presentation to share the information with...
Curated OER
Comparing the Oneota of Wisconsin to the Aztecs of Mexico
Learners study the Oneota Indians of Wisconsin. They compare and contrast them to another group of natives in the Americas around the same time. They conduct intelligent discussion of the Oneotas that gives evidence to support statements.
Curated OER
Sport as Social Ritual
Students become familiar with the sport that became a social ritual in ancient American cultures, examining its importance. They gain an understanding of how contemporary sports have acquired importance within modern American culture.
Curated OER
My 2011 Resolution: Investigate Mathematics of Calendars and Fitness
Ring in the new year with interdisciplinary units related to the development of calendars and getting fit.
Curated OER
Living in America (The Earliest Years)
Fifth graders work in groups to study a particular group of Native Americans. They use a study guide to guide their research and use the internet and text resources to gather information. Students post their research on a class web page.
Incredible Art Department
The Incredible Art Department: Ancient Mayan Civilization Art & Culture
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.
Yale University
Yale the Maya Culture of Mesoamerica
This lesson unit on Mayan culture focuses on Mayan art. It can be adapted to various grades and features classroom activities, student resources, a bibliography, and the like.
Yale University
Yale New Haven Teachers Institute: The Influence of Mesoamerica on Mexican Art
A unit on Mexican art, Frida Kahlo, Native Civilizations in Mesoamerica, and Mayan culture. The site includes lesson plans, bibliographies, and much more.