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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Mayan Myths/Folktales

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Middle schoolers work on summarizing a story, and they determine if it is a legend, a myth, or a fable. Working in groups to read and summarize stories, they then list evidence whether the tale is a myth, fable, or legend.  They present...
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Worksheet
Curated OER

Invertebrates in Mythology

For Students 9th - 12th
Invertebrates play a prominent role in many myths across cultures. From Greece to Guatemala, see if you can identify the invertebrate of importance. Ten multiple-choice questions test your knowledge of mythology from around the world.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Bible: Compare/contrast Religions

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students study creation myths. In this Meso American culture instructional activity, students research Aztec and Mayan creation myths. Students then compare the myths to the creation story of the Bible and share their findings with their...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Multiculturalism Through African Folk Tales And Mayan Myths

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Students study the myths of various African cultures and of the Mayan people. They identify unique characteristics of African myths and Mayan myths. They define and recognize the style and tone of the Mayan myths and create their own...
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Lesson Plan
Yale University

Yale New Haven Teachers Institute: Mythology, Movement/ Drama Unit for 5th Gr

For Teachers 6th - 8th
This site is a drama unit for fifth graders created by the Yale New Haven Teachers Institute. The site provides plenty of background information, a bibliography, and much more.
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Handout
Foundation for the Advancement of Mesoamerican Studies

Famsi: The Jolja' Cave Project (2001)

For Students 9th - 10th
Three caves containing pre-Columbian artifacts, murals, and hieroglyphs are documented in this report. Also of interest is commentary on the reports of modern Ch'ol Mayans with regard to ancient belief and current religious belief.
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Unit Plan
Annenberg Foundation

Annenberg Learner: Invitation to World Literature: Popol Vuh

For Students 9th - 10th
Lesson from a multimedia course on literary world classics considers Popol Vuh, a Mayan text that combines history and myth. Lesson centers on a half-hour video offering multiple perspectives on Popol Vuh. Read an excerpt from the work...
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Handout
Wikimedia

Wikipedia: Maya Religion

For Students 9th - 10th
The structure of Mayan religion is outlined, covering beliefs, the priesthood, rituals, sacrifice, gods, etc.
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Handout
National Earth Science Teachers Association

Windows to the Universe: Mythology of the Mayas

For Students 9th - 10th
This article from the Windows to the Universe gives information on Mayan myths related to the Earth, rain, the Moon, Venus, Mars, and the Milky Way. There are illustrations and explanations of vocabulary. Choose from beginner to advanced...