The Maya Seat work Students will quietly enter the room, find your seats and discuss your three sticky notes on pages 582-589 with your row group.

The Maya The first people came to the Americas from what continent? Asia The Maya developed an advanced writing system using what? hieroglyphs Farming method in which trees and other plants on a plot of land are cut down and burned and ash is used for fertilizer. slash-and-burn agriculture

Introduction Chapter Introduction This chapter will introduce you to Mesoamerican Civilizations. You will learn all about the cultures that developed there, as well as the way those cultures affected the environment and used their urban space. Section 1: The Maya Section 2: The Aztecs

Let’s set some Student Experts The Maya Let’s set some Student Experts In the table, ask pairs of students to write as many means of transportation as they can. Have them circle the means that do not require machine power. Ask how many lists include boats or foot power. Then discuss the theories of how people arrived in the Americas.

The Maya Key Ideas After people in Mesoamerica learned to farm, civilizations developed in this region of tropical forest and highlands. In the Maya civilization, religion and government were closely related. The Maya developed a complex writing system and made advances in mathematics, science, and architecture.

The Maya Key Terms obsidian—natural volcanic glass used to make very sharp blades and heads for spears and arrows slash-and-burn agriculture—farming method in which trees and other plants on a plot of land are cut down and burned and ash is used for fertilizer drought—long period of extremely dry weather hieroglyphic—symbol that stands for a word, idea, or sound Students should use the Word Wise feature in this chapter of their Student Journal to explore Key Terms.

Migration to the Americas The Maya Migration to the Americas The first people came to the Americas from Asia. Some people believe these people came by foot on a land bridge to Alaska. Other people believe they came by boat and then traveled south along the American coasts. These people arrived between 15,000 and 40,000 years ago. Refer students to the map in Section 1 of the Student Edition which depicts this land bridge and the probable migration routes. Ask students to think about what sort of knowledge these early people brought with them.

The Olmecs and the Zapotecs The Maya The Olmecs and the Zapotecs Describe slash-and-burn agriculture. Why do you think populations grew in areas with better farming methods? What was the capital city of the Zapotecs? Which group may have been the first in Mesoamerica to develop writing? Ask students to consider how civilizations grow once the basic needs of existence have been met. How might patterns such as farming techniques or art styles might be shared and changed over time?

Maya Civilization Which part of modern Mexico did The Maya Maya Civilization Which part of modern Mexico did the Maya civilization cover? What were the names of some large Maya cities Refer students to this map in Section 1 of the Student Edition. Discuss the extent of the Olmec, Maya, and Zapotec civilizations. Point out the role that geography played in the expansion of the Maya civilization.

The Maya Seat work Students will quietly enter the room, find your seats and discuss your three sticky notes, on the website pages, with your row group. Mr. Huff , the line is so quit when you are on lunchroom duty because you are the emperor of the mighty Huffistany empire. - Paraphrased from a student

The Maya What did the Maya sometimes use captured enemies for at their temples? Human Sacrifice What did the Maya prize the quetzal for? It’s beautiful feathers What was the length of the calendar that the Maya used for historical dates. A 394-year calendar

Maya Civilization Describe Maya farming. The Maya Maya Civilization Describe Maya farming. Why was trade important to the Maya? How might having many kings affect the Maya region? Why did the Maya practice human sacrifice? Discuss with students these various aspects of Maya culture.

The Maya Maya Achievements The Maya developed an advanced writing system using hieroglyphs. The Maya developed the science of astronomy and used three different calendars. The Maya built impressive buildings, including observatories, out of stone. Maya artistic ability was shown in the murals on the walls of some temples and palaces. Discuss with students how these advanced characteristics demonstrate that the Maya had a complex civilization. Help students understand that cultural aspects of a civilization are related to political and economic developments.

What distinguishes one culture from another? The Maya What distinguishes one culture from another? Workbook page 237 Refer students to this Mesoamerican history timeline in their Student Journals. Have them identify the key event associated with each date and briefly describe its importance.