In this course, we will travel back in time to the world of the ancient Maya to learn about their history, architecture, writing, and achievements. We will pay special attention to the art and material culture of the ancient Maya by examining wall paintings, ceramics, and stone stelae and altars. Students will learn about the Maya writing and number systems and practice writing some basic glyphs. Students will learn about symbols associated with Maya royalty, city-states, and both the natural and supernatural worlds. By taking this course, students will have a greater understanding of ancient Maya history as well as their intellectual and artistic advancements. They will also build their social studies vocabulary along with knowledge of words related to the ancient Maya and the field of archaeology more specifically. 

No prior knowledge is needed.

My teaching style is conversational, collaborative, and encouraging. My goal is to motivate curiosity and enthusiasm about our subjects. I blend direct instruction with conversation, activities, and opportunities for students to apply what they learn. I like to show large images and ask students to make observations before sharing much information. I ask questions and challenge students to make connections and draw their own conclusions. I also encourage students to ask their own questions and be active participants in the learning process. I assess learning by asking open-ended questions and weaving pop quiz questions into the presentation.

***Please message for sibling/referral discounts!***

Agenda:

Week 1: Who Were the Ancient Maya?
In our first week, we will introduce the ancient Maya civilization and its setting in Mexico and Central America. We will place the ancient Maya on a timeline of world history and recognize that millions of Maya people live today. We will begin our examination of Maya art and architecture, comparing and contrasting characteristics that distinguish the Maya from other ancient civilizations.

Week 2: Life of the Ancient Maya
What was life like for the ancient Maya? How was life different for the royal family and elites? How do we know? This week, we will learn about the ancient Maya society that flourished in the Maya Classic period circa 250-900 CE. While examining artifacts and other material evidence, we will discuss how archaeologists and historians piece together the history of the Maya. 

Week 3: Ancient Maya Cities
Where did the Maya live? What remains of their cities? How were the cities ruled? We will take a closer look at some of the major Maya cities to see what remains of their political, religious, and economic systems. Students will learn about common buildings such as temples and ball courts, as well as about the roles of local rulers who controlled each city-state.

Week 4: The Supernatural World of the Maya
What do we know about ancient Maya beliefs? Who were their gods? This week, we will learn about the Hero Twins, the Maya creation story, and the supernatural beginnings of the Maya ballgame. We will also make connections between the supernatural and natural worlds. 

Week 5: Breaking the Maya Code
Did you know that the ancient Maya were one of the few civilizations with a symbol for zero? How did the ancient Maya keep records? What remains of their writing? How was it deciphered, and can we read it all now? This week, we will learn about the ancient Maya writing system, which is made of about 800 glyphs. The glyphs can represent both logograms and syllables, and the Maya liked to mix and match for artistic effect. Students will learn about the structure of Maya writing and will write an approximation of their names in Mayan glyphs. Students will also learn to read and write the symbols for zero, one, and five, which can be combined to make any possible number!