1. Name the present-day countries in the area where the Mayan culture flourished. Describe the landscape of this region.
Who were the Olmec? What were their accomplishments?
What were the three periods of Mayan civilization? What were the main characteristics of each period?
Explain the 5 levels of the Mayan social pyramid. What was daily life like for most Maya?
How have historians learned about the Mayan religion? What have they learned?
What two main calendars were developed and used by the Maya? How were these calendars important achievements in mathematics and astronomy?
What agricultural techniques did the Maya use to overcome farming challenges?
What happened to the Mayan civilization?

2. Essential Question #1
Name the present-day countries in the area where the Maya culture flourished: Describe the landscape of this region
Mexico
El Salvador
Belize
Guatemala
Honduras
High and low lands (mountains, volcanoes), rainforest, and rivers

3. Essential Question #2
People that came before the Maya on east coast of Mexico
The Maya inherited their lifestyle from the Olmec.
farming, trading, and architecture
Who were the Olmec? What were their accomplishments?

4. Essential Question #3
What were the three periods of Mayan civilization? What were the main characteristics of each period?
pre-classic
classic
post-classic
Mayan farmed and lived in simple houses
Peak of civilization (improvements)
Warfare, fewer artistic/cultural achievements

5. Slaves and conquered people
Essential Question #4
Ruler
Priests and Nobles
Merchants & Artisans
Peasants
Slaves and conquered people
power
Explain the five levels of the Mayan Social Pyramid. What was daily life like for most Maya?
knowledge
traders
labor
Most often sacrificed
Women know how to keep a clean house, cook, take care of children, weave
Men know how farm, hunt, build, and be a soldier

6. Essential Question #5
How many historians learned about the Mayan religion? What have they learned?
Studying present-day Mayan practices
Ancient artifacts
Documents written during the post-classic period
Ritual beliefs and the calendars

7. Essential Question #6
What two main calendars were developed and used by the Maya? Why are these calendars important achievements in mathematics and astronomy?
Solar (daily)
Ritual (sacred)

8. Essential Question #7
What agricultural techniques did the Maya use to overcome farming challenges?
They used
raised farming beds
terracing (on mountains)
If they needed space, they used slash-and-burn to clear the area

9. Essential Question #8 Warfare Lack of resources
What happened to the Mayan civilization?
Drought
Lack of resources
Warfare
Migration