Curated OER
Understanding Mayan Culture
Students study an ancient culture in Mexico whose people were called the Mayans. They compare certain aspects of Mayan culture with Ancient Egypt. They discuss why some other ancient cultures (Egypt and China) were able to survive for...
Penn Museum
Maya Ball
Sure the ancient Mayan civilization had an advanced calendar and mathematical system, but did you know that they also played a great team sport like basketball? Invite your learners to discover the great ballcourt at Chichen Itza and...
Curated OER
Mayan History
Students examine Mayan contributions to the world. In this Mesoamerican culture lesson plan, students view a slideshow about the Maya and then peruse books about the accomplishments of the culture. Students...
Curated OER
Come On Over To Maya Place
Fifth graders analyze the Mayan culture. In this Mayan culture lesson plan, 5th graders study the Mayan culture noting similarities and differences between the Mayan culture and their own. Students examine hieroglyphic writing and the...
Curated OER
American Civilization
First graders become familiar with Mayan culture, Aztec civilization and the Inca Empire.
Curated OER
Cracking the Maya Code
Students analyze the meaning of Maya glyphs. In this Mayan communication lesson, students use Mayan symbols to calculate their birthdates according to Maya Long Count.
Curated OER
Me Oh Maya
Students compare basketball to Mayan ring-ball. They write a newspaper article that may have been published during Mayan times.
Core Knowledge Foundation
Unit 2: Early American Civilizations
Fifth graders explore early American civilizations in a four-week ELA unit. Every lesson offers an opportunity to read and discuss a selected passage followed by word work that covers vocabulary, grammar, and morphology. Learners write...
Curated OER
Maya Lesson Plans
Mayan cities may have mysteriously disappeared, but the culture still thrives today. Maya lesson plans bring the culture alive.
Curated OER
Ofelia Romero The Maya Culture and Civilization
Fifth graders investigate the Mayan culture, number system, alphabet, hieroglyphics, history, civilization, artistry, and sports in this series of lessons.
Curated OER
Engaging Students with the History of Time
Researching the history of calendars and time-keeping devices can help students make sense of time measurement.
Curated OER
The Achievements and Challenges of Guatemala
Students research the Mayan number and calendar system. They translate a variety of math problems from base-10 Arabic numbers into a base-20 Mayan representation. They discuss current challenges faced by the people in today's Guatemala.
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
Egyptian Inspiration Web
Students conduct Internet research to discover information about scientific, technological, cultural and intellectual achievements in Egypt, along with Egyptian family life. Students create Inspiration webs of their findings.
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...
Other
Mayan Calendar
While brief, this simple explanation of the Mayan calendar may clarify for some how its two cycles work together.
Other
The Maya Calendar: A Converter
Gives the Mayan days and months. In addition, a Java Applet is included which will convert any date (Gregorian calendar) to its corresponding Mayan date.
Other
Mayan Monuments and Rubbings
A series of photos and rubbings from Mayan stone calendars and standing stones (stelae) that could be used as primary sources for a unit on Mayan history.
The History Cat
The History Cat: Mayan Achievements
Discusses the Maya system of astronomy and their calendar.
University of St. Andrews (UK)
University of St. Andrews: Mayan Mathematics
After a historical introduction, this site from the University of St. Andrews provides information about the mathematics of the Maya Civilization and shows just how advanced they were.
Other
Maya World Studies Center: Maya
A site which gives some information on Mayan history and culture including discussion about the calendar.
Mex Connect
Mexconnect: The Maya Civilization and Cities: A Resource Page
The Maya series of articles consists of a map, Maya civilization timeline, cities, numerals and calendar, historical conflicts, and trade and commerce. Articles are written by Luis Dumois, a student of Mayan civilization. Galleries of...
Wikimedia
Wikipedia: Tzolk'in
The Tzolkin is another name for the Maya calendar. The meanings of the symbols on the Tzolk'in and various interpretations that are given to the calendar are outlined here.
Wikimedia
Wikipedia: Maya Religion
The structure of Mayan religion is outlined, covering beliefs, the priesthood, rituals, sacrifice, gods, etc.