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
Other

Jaguar Sun: The Maya

For Students 9th - 10th
A large amateur collection of pages on all the major areas of Maya life and culture.
Primary
Sacred Text Archive

Internet Sacred Text Archive: The Popol Vuh

For Students 9th - 10th
This is an extract from an English translation of the Popol Vuh, the mythic and heroic sagas of the Kiches of Central America.
Unit Plan
Library of Congress

Loc: The Cultures and Histories of the Americas

For Students 9th - 10th
An online exhibit of a vast array of documents, artifacts, and maps detailing cultures in the Americas including the indigenous groups as well as Europeans after contact. From the Library of Congress.
Lesson Plan
Climate Literacy

Clean: Climate and Civilization: The Maya Example

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Young scholars use geophysical and geochemical data collected by the Ocean Drilling Program to examine climate in Central America during the recent past. They also have the opportunity to investigate the link between climate change and...
Website
California State University

Hux 576 Key Periods and Movements, Art: Ancient Maya

For Students 9th - 10th
Mayan art is mixed in with general information in this two-page article.
Handout
Other

Cancun: The Yucatan Peninsula

For Students 9th - 10th
Description of the region of the Yucatan Peninsula giving information on the climate, location, and history of the area.
Handout
Foundation for the Advancement of Mesoamerican Studies

Famsi: Classic Maya Borders and Frontiers (2003)

For Students 9th - 10th
A look at the geology and topography of El Paraiso valley and its influence on communication, passage and trade. Report also considers architecture and "Mayanization" of area.
Primary
Foundation for the Advancement of Mesoamerican Studies

Famsi: Chan Chich Proto Classic Tomb Project (1998)

For Students 9th - 10th
Excavation of tomb indicates the occupant was elite as indicated by wooden snake. Several Mayan artifacts are pictured.
Website
Foundation for the Advancement of Mesoamerican Studies

Famsi: Salvage of Hieroglyphic Stairway in Dos Pilas (2002)

For Students 9th - 10th
Comprehensive discussion of what the discovery of stairway steps adds to history of the site and the culture. Writings on steps give new insights to Myan politics, trade, war, and the collapse of the civilization.
Website
Foundation for the Advancement of Mesoamerican Studies

Famsi: Pusilha Archaeological Project (2001)

For Students 9th - 10th
Report summarizes previous research at Pusilha which indicates that this city had economic, political, and artistic connections with cities of Copan and Quirigua. A history of the city is included.
Website
Foundation for the Advancement of Mesoamerican Studies

Famsi: Palenque Hydro Archaeology Project (2005)

For Students 9th - 10th
Study indicates that Palenque aquaducts were part of city planning and suggests reasons that Mayans would choose the existing plan. Many photographs of the aquaduct are included.
Handout
Foundation for the Advancement of Mesoamerican Studies

Famsi: Report on Chan Chich Archaeological Project (1997) [Pdf]

For Students 9th - 10th
Read a PDF file offering great detail and pictures of the excavation of the Chan Chich Archaeological Project.
Website
Foundation for the Advancement of Mesoamerican Studies

Famsi: Ceramic Sequence of Piedras Negras, Guatemala (2003)

For Students 9th - 10th
Report offers history of the production of ceramic pieces from 500 B.C. to 900 A.D. Photographs document each cultural phase and work. Readers can download this PDF at the bottom of the page.
Website
Foundation for the Advancement of Mesoamerican Studies

Famsi: Politics and Economics: Motul De San Jose, Peten

For Students 9th - 10th
Excavations at Motul de San Jose indicate that the site was more populated than previously thought. Findings indicate that production of textiles, tools, and ceramics were carried out in this city-state.
Lesson Plan
Other

Multicultural Literature for Children: Abuela's Weave

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
This lesson plan is perfect in an ESL classroom. "Abuela's Weave" is the story of a young girl from Guatemala and the beautiful tapestry she creates. Includes prereading questions, vocabulary, and activities to integrate into other...
Website
Foundation for the Advancement of Mesoamerican Studies

Famsi: Porta Incensario Restoration at Palenque, Chiapas (1998)

For Students 9th - 10th
Discussion of procedures used to restore six porta incensarios recovered from the Temple of the Cross. Step by step process is revealed and pictures of before and after restoration are included.
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.
Article
Khan Academy

Khan Academy: Yaxchilan Lintels 24 & 25 From Structure 23 & Structures 33 & 40

For Students 9th - 10th
Yaxchilan is host to an impressive number of structures and monuments-over 100-and is especially famous for its high-quality relief carvings. Specifically the lintels exemplify the skilled carving of Maya artists at Yaxchilan-and the...
Interactive
Digital Dialects

Digital Dialects: K'iche' Language

For Students Pre-K - 1st
Discover the Mayan language of Guatemala, K'iche', with the help of these vocabulary builders.
Handout
The History Cat

The History Cat: Mayan Achievements

For Students 9th - 10th
Discusses the Maya system of astronomy and their calendar.
Handout
The History Cat

The History Cat: Mayan Religion: Gods and Sacrifice

For Students 9th - 10th
Describes the religious practices followed by the Maya, including human sacrifice, a ritual that horrified the Spanish explorers.
Handout
Foundation for the Advancement of Mesoamerican Studies

Famsi: The Eastern Riverine Corridor During Late Classic Period

For Students 9th - 10th
Inventories of ceramic materials and architectural similarities indicate that some urban centers may be socially and politically connected while others are not. Study confirms a water route from New River drainage area to Belize may have...
Handout
Foundation for the Advancement of Mesoamerican Studies

Famsi: The Pomona Kingdom and Its Hinterland (2001)

For Students 9th - 10th
Pomona Kingdom was contested by Palenque and Piedras Negras and fell under attack several times. A preliminary interpretation of findings allows for a reconstruction of how attacks might have occurred.

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