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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Be That As It Maya

For Teachers 5th - 12th
Creative projects are a great way to engage your class and can be a fun way to assess mastery! Learners create brochures and postcards that might have been created by and for travelers to ancient Mayan cities. They read and discuss the...
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Worksheet
Curated OER

What Were the Main Achievements of the Mayan Civilization?

For Students 7th - 10th
Guided reading questions can keep kids focused. Here they read about Mayan Civilization and then answer 9 fill-in-the-blank questions. They must use evidence from their readings to support their answers. The activity includes 3...
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PPT
Curated OER

Mayan Civilization

For Teachers 7th - 8th
While the pictures are great, the content of this presentation is sorely lacking and narrow, details and rationale are totally left out. But, if you are desperate for a quick slide show on Mayan civilization, this one could work. 
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Graphic
Science Museum of Minnesota

Science Museum of Mn: The Puuc Hills: Uxmal

For Students 9th - 10th
Numerous photographs of the ancient Mayan city of Uxmal.
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Graphic
Science Museum of Minnesota

The Temples of Tikal

For Students 9th - 10th
This site provides various pictures of the numerous temples in the Mayan city of Tikal.
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Website
Foundation for the Advancement of Mesoamerican Studies

Famsi: Early Copan Acropolis Program 2000 Field Season

For Students 9th - 10th
Final report of archaeological data and conclusions of Mayan history at Hunal and Margarita tombs in Copan, Honduras. Information given on pottery, tools, agriculture, and fauna.
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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.
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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.
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Website
Foundation for the Advancement of Mesoamerican Studies

Famsi: Analysis of Kaqchikel Skeletons: Iximche, Guatemala

For Students 9th - 10th
Report of structural and chemical analysis of skeletal items offers insights into human sacrifice procedures and diet.
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Website
Foundation for the Advancement of Mesoamerican Studies

Famsi: Economic Foundations of Mayapan Project (2001)

For Students 9th - 10th
Although this excavation is still in progress, preliminary reports indicate occupants produced pottery for local and regional consumption. Also the production of tools and jewelry depended on materials from other parts of the region.
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Website
Foundation for the Advancement of Mesoamerican Studies

Famsi: Major Archaeological Sites: Tikal

For Students 9th - 10th
Short history of the Tikal site. Check under the Research link for a Teacher Guide that could be used to study Mayan math and writing. Note that this site can also be viewed in Spanish.
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Handout
Foundation for the Advancement of Mesoamerican Studies

Famsi: Investigations of Architecture at Blackman Eddy,belize

For Students 9th - 10th
Excavation report from Blackman Eddy site in Belize discusses ritual deposits and artifacts. Site can be viewed in English and Spanish.
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Website
Foundation for the Advancement of Mesoamerican Studies

Famsi: Early/middle Formative Kanocha Phase at Blackman Eddy

For Students 9th - 10th
Archaeological investigation at Blackman Eddy in Belize demonstrates architecture related to Olmec style resulting in implications of long distance trade networks. Site can be viewed in English and in Spanish.
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Website
Foundation for the Advancement of Mesoamerican Studies

Famsi: Northern Belize Coastal Project, 1999

For Students 9th - 10th
Archaeological investigations at Saktunja site in Belize focuses on inter-region trade networks and diversification strategies. Site can be viewed in English and Spanish.
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Website
Foundation for the Advancement of Mesoamerican Studies

Famsi: Obsidian Craft Production at Cacaxtia Xochitecatl (200)

For Students 9th - 10th
Archaeological excavation at Xochitecatl indicate that it was an area of production for obsidian goods. Site can be viewed in English and Spanish.
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Website
Foundation for the Advancement of Mesoamerican Studies

Famsi: Investigations in Candelaria Caves and La Lima (2003)

For Students 9th - 10th
Ceramics indicate trade rouses in this well-studied cave. Good insight into ritual practices and materials used in worship.
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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.
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Handout
Foundation for the Advancement of Mesoamerican Studies

Famsi: Sculpture Reconstruction Copan, Honduras (2002)

For Students 9th - 10th
Structure is discussed and well as its purpose as a dwelling place for a ruler/deity.
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Website
Foundation for the Advancement of Mesoamerican Studies

Famsi: Temple 22 Facade Reconstruction Project (2001)

For Students 9th - 10th
Preliminary research indicates that structure was a sacred mountain used as a political center. Discussion of sculpture meanings is included.
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Handout
Foundation for the Advancement of Mesoamerican Studies

Famsi: Examining Nature of Maya Collapse of Copan (1999) [Pdf]

For Students 9th - 10th
Archaeological fieldwork focuses on severity and timing of factors that led to the collapse of Mayan culture.
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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.
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Handout
Other

Archaelogical Sites: Palenque

For Students 9th - 10th
This resource presents an overview of the Mayan city of Palenque, including a biographical sketch on some of the rulers.
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Website
Archaeological Institute of America

Archaeology: Diving With the Dead

For Students 9th - 10th
Follow a team of divers as they explore the famous cenotes of the Yucatan peninsula. These cenotes hold secrets of Mayan culture still waiting to be told.
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Activity
Mex Connect

Mexconnect: The Ancient Maya: A Commercial Empire

For Students 9th - 10th
This article discusses the implications of trade and commerce during the Mayan Period. The principles of resource allocation and specialization are discussed. (Published January 1, 2006)