|
|
| 
| Link | Description |  | Maya Walkthrough
This assignment uses the images, graphs, charts, and maps within the textbook to survey the major ideas and themes of the Unit. |  | Maya Notes 7-1 - Jungle Kingdoms
These notes cover the unique geographical challenges of building a civilization among the hills and jungles of the Yucatan. Mayan social structure is also discussed. (7.7.1, 7.7.2, & 7.7.3) | | Maya Notes 7-2 - Pok-a-tok and the Cornheads
This set of notes examines various aspects of Mayan culture. Mayan beauty, games, math, writing, and architecture are some of the topics surveyed. (7.7.4 & 7.7.5) | | Maya Notes 7-3 - Doomsday and Death
These notes cover the Mayan calendar, doomsday in 2012, religion, and theories about their mysterious collapse in the 10th century. (7.7.5) |  | Mayan Strategy Guide
By reviewing your notes and completing this strategy guide you will know all the secrets and shortcuts for succeeding on the Unit Quiz and earning your "Master of Mayan History Certificate". |
Standards Guide: 7.7 Students compare and contrast the geographic, political, economic, religious, and social structures of the Meso-American and Andean civilizations.
1. Study the locations, landforms, and climates of Mexico, Central America, and South America and their effects on Mayan, Aztec, and Incan economies, trade, and development of urban societies.
2. Study the roles of people in each society, including class structures, family life, war-fare, religious beliefs and practices, and slavery.
3. Explain how and where each empire arose and how the Aztec and Incan empires were defeated by the Spanish.
4. Describe the artistic and oral traditions and architecture in the three civilizations.
5. Describe the Meso-American achievements in astronomy and mathematics, including the development of the calendar and the Meso-American knowledge of seasonal changes to the civilizations' agricultural systems. |
Media Guide: I use the following media in various ways. Some DVD documentaries are shown in their entirity, but the majority are shown in small clips. |
Image | Type | Description | 
Time Life's Lost Civilizations | DVD | There are episodes in this collection exploring both the Maya and the Inca. They are easily the two best episodes in the series. While admittedly slow in parts both are fantastic for classroom use if broken up. I show many parts of both episodes. | 
Engineering an Empire | DVD | With episodes on both the Maya and Aztec (where's the Inca love?!) you can't go wrong here. Every episode of this series is excellent and these are no different. I would say the Mayan episode is one of the weaker ones but the Aztec is easily among the best. | 
Unsolved History: Aztec Temple | DVD | Buy it. If watching a doctor use an obsidian blade to cut through a gelatinous replica of a human torso doesn't make your class squirm, I don't know what will. I always show this in full. | 
Mystery of the Maya | DVD | Arguably the worst IMAX movie ever made but that still leaves it on the "pretty good" list. The problem with this one is the narration which is awful throughout. The visuals, however, are stunning and there is one section on Mayan math that is worth showing even with the narration. | 
Road to El Dorado | DVD | Disneyesque animated movie about two Spaniards who travel to the new world. Some surprisingly good content (moreso than in the Disney films) and a fairly good movie. It does mix the Maya, Aztec, and Inca up a bit, but that only serves for better discussion. Even if you don't show the whole movie (I don't) he ball game scene is definitely worth showing on its own. | 
Eyewitness: Aztec, Inca, & Maya | Book | The entire Eyewitness book series is great. This one is not the best in the series as it tends to muddle up the distinctions between the Maya, Aztec, and Inca. Nevertheless, it's still full of wonderful pictures and graphics. |
| |
|