Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Mayan Myths/Folktales

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Middle schoolers work on summarizing a story, and they determine if it is a legend, a myth, or a fable. Working in groups to read and summarize stories, they then list evidence whether the tale is a myth, fable, or...
Unit Plan
Curated OER

Aztec and Mayan Mythology

For Teachers 6th
Here's a fresh take on a mythology unit. Use the myths of the Mayan and Aztec peoples of Mesoamerica instead of the more traditional Greek and Roman stories. This abstract suggests possible approaches and resources that can be...
Worksheet
Curated OER

Invertebrates in Mythology

For Students 9th - 12th
Invertebrates play a prominent role in many myths across cultures. From Greece to Guatemala, see if you can identify the invertebrate of importance. Ten multiple-choice questions test your knowledge of mythology from around the world.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Multiculturalism Through African Folk Tales And Mayan Myths

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Students study the myths of various African cultures and of the Mayan people. They identify unique characteristics of African myths and Mayan myths. They define and recognize the style and tone of the Mayan myths and create their own...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Aztec and Mayan Mythology

For Teachers 6th
Sixth graders write myths to show tolerance in creation. They read from both the Aztec and Mayan eras and develop an understanding of the similarities and differences of these two closely related cultures. They track the travels of...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Bible: Compare/contrast Religions

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students study creation myths. In this Meso American culture instructional activity, students research Aztec and Mayan creation myths. Students then compare the myths to the creation story of the Bible and share their findings with their...
Worksheet
Curated OER

Who Were the Mayans?

For Students 4th - 6th
In this Mayans worksheet, students read about the Mayans on a web site given, then complete a set of 10 related comprehension questions.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Lesson: Bringing Back the Sun: The Story of Jaguar Inspiring Student Stories

For Teachers K - 5th
What on earth is that jar for? It was an ancient incense burner used by the Maya, that was inspired by the myth of the sun god. Young analysts hear the story of the Mayan sun god, analyze the story through the artistry in the jar, and...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Theobroma Cacao "The Food of the Gods"

For Teachers 6th
Sixth graders research the history of chocolate and write short answers to provided questions. They read about the Mayan and Aztec civilizations and the Spanish conquest.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Ancient Maya

For Teachers 7th - 8th
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...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Anasazi/Mesoamerican/Andean: Time and Cultural Passages

For Teachers 7th
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...
Handout
National Earth Science Teachers Association

Windows to the Universe: Mythology of the Mayas

For Students 9th - 10th
This article from the Windows to the Universe gives information on Mayan myths related to the Earth, rain, the Moon, Venus, Mars, and the Milky Way. There are illustrations and explanations of vocabulary. Choose from beginner to advanced...
Interactive
National Earth Science Teachers Association

Windows to the Universe: Mythology Hangman

For Students 9th - 10th Standards
Test your knowledge of world mythology by playing Mythology Hangman, a Java applet and website that features images, maps, and descriptions for beginner, intermediate, and advanced students. It is a great resource to supplement mythology...
Website
Encyclopedia Mythica

Encyclopedia Mythica: Mythology

For Students 9th - 10th
Enhance your study of world mythology with these articles from Encyclopedia Mythica. Learn about mythic locations, creature, deities, and phenomena from Africa, the Americas, Asia, Europe, and Oceania.
Lesson Plan
Yale University

Yale: Mexicans: Mythology, Movement & Masterpiece

For Teachers 6th - 8th
This drama curriculum unit features a bibliography, information about storytelling, mythology, oral readings, and the like--suitable for grade school students in the 5th grade and adaptable for other grades.
Website
Encyclopedia Mythica

Encyclopedia Mythica

For Students 9th - 10th Standards
The home page of Encyclopedia Mythica from which you can access its full range of content on myths from throughout the world. Greek, Roman, Egyptian, Japanese, and Chinese mythology are the site's most popular areas, but many...
Website
Emory University

Emory University: Odyssey Online

For Students 9th - 10th Standards
Odyssey Online is a resource for both students and teachers as they explore world mythology in reading, writing, history, and art classes. Providing sections on Near Eastern, Egyptian, Greek, Roman, and African mythology, Odyssey uses...
Lesson Plan
Yale University

Yale New Haven Teachers Institute: Mythology, Movement/ Drama Unit for 5th Gr

For Teachers 6th - 8th
This site is a drama unit for fifth graders created by the Yale New Haven Teachers Institute. The site provides plenty of background information, a bibliography, and much more.
Lesson Plan
Yale University

Yale New Haven Teachers Institute: Understanding the Ancient Americas

For Teachers 9th - 10th
A collection of lesson plans with background information on ancient civilizations in the Americas. Includes topics such as Aztec and Mayan mythology, Hispanic influence, religious practices, artwork, and artifacts. The materials were...
Website
Encyclopedia Mythica

Encylopedia Mythica: Folktales From Many Lands

For Students 9th - 10th
Read a Mayan folktale about how the sun and moon were created, a Russian tale about how a farm boy becomes a prince, a Scandinavian tale about how Winter captured Spring, or a Blackfoot Indian story about learning from buffalo. More than...
Unit Plan
Annenberg Foundation

Annenberg Learner: Invitation to World Literature: Popol Vuh

For Students 9th - 10th
Lesson from a multimedia course on literary world classics considers Popol Vuh, a Mayan text that combines history and myth. Lesson centers on a half-hour video offering multiple perspectives on Popol Vuh. Read an excerpt from the work...
Handout
Foundation for the Advancement of Mesoamerican Studies

Famsi: The Jolja' Cave Project (2001)

For Students 9th - 10th
Three caves containing pre-Columbian artifacts, murals, and hieroglyphs are documented in this report. Also of interest is commentary on the reports of modern Ch'ol Mayans with regard to ancient belief and current religious belief.
Handout
Wikimedia

Wikipedia: Maya Religion

For Students 9th - 10th
The structure of Mayan religion is outlined, covering beliefs, the priesthood, rituals, sacrifice, gods, etc.
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.