Glencoe World History © 2008

Chapter 11: The Americas

Web Activity Lesson Plans

The Maya

Introduction

The Maya developed one of the most stunning early civilizations in the Americas. Yet they did so under challenging conditions. In this activity students will learn about the achievements and society of the Maya. Students will then have a chance to compare the Maya with one of the other early civilizations in Mesoamerica.

Lesson Description
Students will go to a Web site about early civilizations. They will first read about the Maya and answer four questions about what they have read. Students will then compare the Maya civilization with another early Mesoamerican civilization. They will use that information to compile a table.

Instructional Objectives

1. The learner will be able to identify achievements of the Maya and aspects of their society.
2. The learner will be able to compare and contrast the Maya with another civilization.

Student Web Activity Answers

1. Achievements may include astronomy; calendar systems; hieroglyphic writing; temple-pyramids, palaces, and observatories, all built without metal tools; skilled farmers, clearing large sections of tropical rain forest and, where groundwater was scarce, building sizeable underground reservoirs for the storage of rainwater; skilled weavers and potters; cleared routes through jungles and swamps to foster extensive trade networks with distant peoples.



2. The decline is attributed to famine, drought, breakdowns in trade, and political fragmentation.



3. The victim’s heart was torn out for the sun and the head cut off to pour blood out for the earth.



4. The article states that between the ruling class and the farmer/laborer, there must have been an educated nobility who were scribes, artists, and architects.



5. Students’ tables will vary but should contain information comparing Maya civilization with another Mesoamerican civilization from the Web site.