In the ancient lands of Central America, where the majestic turquoise Caribbean sea meets, cool soft sand beaches you will also meet the history of the Mayan people.
During this Native American heritage month itīs time to recall that the United States does not incorporate all of what is America. "Native Americans" also include groups such as the Mayan Indians of Central America.
These activities and works will allow young people to explore the world of the Maya.
Featured Book
The Mystery of the Ancient Maya, by Carolyn Meyer and Charles Gallenkamp (McElderry Books, 1995).
Topics For Discussion
- Gods and religion
- Ceremonies
- Food
- Folktales
- Names
- Passage of time
- Lives of the peasants
- Lives of the priests
- Architecture
- Settlements
- Number system and math
- Symbols
Activities
- Mayan food day
- Doing math with Mayan numbers
- Building Mayan structures
- Discovering the living Maya people
- Learning about the gods and what their symbols
- Study the Mayan style of art
- Study the ceremonies and what their meanings
- Study the life of children and seeing how it is similar or different from their own lives
- How a Mayan doctor would treat someone who was ill
- Use Mayan numbers to add and subtract
- Find what your birthday would be in the Mayan calendar
Websites Information about Chichen Itza is available from CancunBlast. Other websites are listed to the right of this article. These can be used to allow students to do independent research or support a lesson.
Resources Ask travel agents if they have posters of Mayan architecture (often featured in ads for Cancun, Mexico).
