Core Knowledge Foundation
Maya, Aztec, and Inca Civilizations
A 10-lesson unit explores the Maya, Aztec, and Inca civilizations. Over the course of two weeks, scholars read nonfiction excerpts, discuss their findings, and complete activities. An assessment equipped with multiple choice and matching...
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
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
Mesoamerican Carving Project
Third graders are introduced to the use of glyphs and relief carving by Mesoamerican cultures. They complete worksheets, view PowerPoint presentations, participate in a Webquest and create an original glyph carving in sandstone.
Penn Museum
Ancient History Math Mystery
Through several organized and attractive worksheets, your learners will make a deduction about tally marks and hieroglyphics to determine what they represent in the ancient numeral system. This is a well-designed, interdisciplinary...
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.
Curated OER
Old Mayan Mural
Students read a story called Scientists Discover Oldest Mayan Mural and answer vocabulary and comprehension questions about it. In this current events Mayan mural lesson plan, students respond to literature by answering questions,...
Curated OER
Central American Immigrants to the United States: Refugees from Unrest
Students identify the major aspects of Olmec and Mayan civilzations, including economic, political, and religious. They list contributions of these civilizations. Students identify the Central American countries where the United States...
Curated OER
Primary Understanding and Use of Place Value
Explore place value and regrouping with your class. They develop awareness of several ancient number systems and how they differ from the base ten system commonly used today. They play "Chip Trading" with partners to practice addition...
Curated OER
The Mayan Empire
Students study vocabulary associated with the Mayan Empire; its art, daily life, inventions, and religious beliefs. They examine why the Mayan culture is considered to be one of the most advanced of the ancient civilizations by...
Curated OER
Meso-America
Students will identify and locate Central and South America and their countries and features, as well as Meso-American civilizations. Students will compare civilizations and discuss voyages of relevant explorers.
Curated OER
ARTIFACT to ART to GLYPHS
Students study the development of early Latin American civilizations in unit one. The second part of the unit is based on early image-making attempts from the Cro-Magnon to the Peruvian Incas. Students create their own weavings using a...
Curated OER
Who Were the Mayans?
In this Mayans worksheet, learners read about the Mayans on a web site given, then complete a set of 10 related comprehension questions.
Curated OER
Dig Magazine Archeology Quiz #109
In this Dig Magazine archeology quiz, students answer 12 multiple choice questions complementing the March 2010 issue. Page contains answer and additional resources link.
Foundation for the Advancement of Mesoamerican Studies
Famsi: Dictionary of Maya Hieroglyphs
John Montgomery's Dictionary of Maya Hieroglyphs is a unique reference to the hieroglyphic writing of the ancient Maya that presents over 1,200 hieroglyphs or glyph compounds. Each entry includes the hieroglyph, phonetic transcription,...
Canadian Museum of History
Canadian Museum of History: Maya Civilization
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.
Foundation for the Advancement of Mesoamerican Studies
Famsi: Southern Belize Epigraphic Project: Hieroglyphic
Report of a 13 year study of the least documented hieroglyphic of the Mayan culture in Belize and their possible meanings. Site can be viewed in English and Spanish.
Foundation for the Advancement of Mesoamerican Studies
Famsi: Primary Standard Sequence (Of Mayan Hieroglyphs) 2003
PDF document that shows structure of Mayan glyphs and translation, including spelling patterns and syntax. Photographs and charts show how meaning is derived from hieroglyphic strip.
PBS
Pbs Nova: Reading Maya Hieroglyphs
Part of a larger site from PBS on Mayan culture, this page refers specifically to the Mayan form of writing through hieroglyphs.
Khan Academy
Khan Academy: Maya, an Introduction
The Maya civilization (300-900 C.E.) was one of the most sophisticated in the pre-Columbian Americas. It extended from southeastern Mexico across modern-day Guatemala, Belize and the western parts of Honduras and El Salvador. The Maya...
Wikimedia
Wikipedia: Maya Script
Detailed information on the Maya system of writing. The article explains the history of Maya script and how it was deciphered.
PBS
Pbs Nova, Lost King of the Maya
A site focused on the dynasty of the Mayan empire. Includes some great audio and video clips.
Other
Early Maya Writing at San Bartolo, Guatemala (2006)
Click to download full PDF article documenting that Mayan writing system was already in place in 100 B.C. Move cursor over trowels to navigate this site.
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.