Maya Lesson Plans

The Mayan Civilization mysteriously disappeared thousands of years ago. Yet, the descendants of this ancient culture continue to speak the language of their ancestors. Most Mayan descendants are concentrated in Guatemala. And surprisingly, the Maya culture is still relevant, and can be studied for its remarkable strides in astronomy, language, mathematics, and pottery.

The Maya lived in Central America. They had numerous cities, and each had its own king. The town center was populated with large steppe pyramids which had a plateau on top. Some were used for ceremonial purposes, while others were the basis for stately homes. Farmers and workers lived in simple adobe huts that circulated the stone buildings. Similar construction of these huts can still be seen in today's villages.

The Maya were extremely advanced in the area of language. Glyphs or pictures were used as a way to communicate thoughts. These words were carved on every surface and professed the deeds of their kings and warriors. Scientists Discover Oldest Mayan Mural is a fabulous resource for guiding students in studying a Mayan mural. It helps demonstrate how archeologists and linguists decipher ancient cultures and languages.

Games were an important part of the Mayan culture. They were used for sport and entertainment. In some cases, games were used as a way to settle a battle between different cities. Instead of going to war, they would often play a game. The loser would be sacrificed. Search the Internet for websites that have information about Mayan culture. Some of them even have Mayan games for your children to play.

You can use lessons on Mayan astronomy to spur discussion of mathematics, and the Mayan calendar to study the stars. The Mayan people were primarily interested in the sun's progression across the heavens. As a result, the heavens factor heavily in Mayan mythology. Popol Vuh has part of the Mayan version of the creation story. The Maya believed the Maker crafted the Mayans from maize. It is also interesting to note that many of the foods found in Mexican cuisine can be traced to Mayan influence. A special Maya drink that has captured the hearts of people for centuries, is hot chocolate.  This hot or cold liquid was even used as currency.

Mayan cities were eventually abandoned. It is unclear as to why this occurred. Some believe it stems from the arrival of the Spanish, others contend that over population led to food shortages. Whatever the reasons, the Mayan left their history for us to study. The culture did not die, but thrived despite the obstacles. For further exploration, check out these lessons.

Mayan Lesson Plans:

Invent A Board Game has students play the game of Play Bul, an on-line version. It has the children create their own version of a board game. There is also a home connection.

Make a Maya Math Problem has students use Mayan notation to write basic math equations. There are printable student sheets.

Understanding Mayan Culture is designated for grade six. It is a comprehensive unit to study the ancient culture. It is a more advanced lesson unit, which is great for higher grade levels.