Teacher Resources

Mayan and Aztec Civilizations

Task, Product & Assessment | Step One: Questioning & Planning | Step Two: Gathering, Sorting & Sifting | Step Three: Synthesis & Evaluation 
Step Four: More Gathering, Sorting & Sifting | Step Five: Final Synthesis & Evaluation | Step Six: Presentation 

A recent archeological discovery in the Guatemalan jungle may give new insight into the life of the Ancient Maya. A large stone panel was found face down at the foot of a pyramid. The stone tablet depicts captives cowering in fear and terror before a Mayan king. This is believed to be one of the earliest attempts to portray emotion in carvings. What does this artifact reveal about the Mayan culture? How have we learned about ancient cultures? How do the belongings of ancient peoples reveal their culture? Read this article about the archeology of the Mayan civilization

 The Task

You must choose three artifacts each from the Mayan and Aztec civilizations which depict different aspects of the cultures. Your choices should depict different aspects of the cultures and might be, but are not limited to:

arts	sports	science
societal organization	mysteries	economy
religion	architecture	writing
	medicine

You will prepare museum display in which there are visuals of each artifact, and an explanation of its significance. As a conclusion, you should compare the two cultures using your artifacts to support your assertions. You will present your museum display to the class.

While researching your artifacts, include information about:

• How does each artifact depict aspects of the culture?
• In what way was each artifact used?
• Was each artifact symbolic or practical?

As a summary of the presentations, you must keep a chart of the artifacts presented and using an Brief Constructed Response(BCR) choose in which culture you would like to live. Justify you choice. Your response should be in Spanish.

The Product

You will design a museum display or a video slide show which includes visuals of the artifacts from each culture, a description of how each artifact was used, and why each was representative of the culture. As you explain your display to the class, you will need to compare the artifacts and the cultures. In your comparison include similarities and differences of beliefs, customs, and artifacts.

The Assessment

Daily (Formative)	Research Process - Summative (Student/Self)	Research Process - Summative (Teacher)
Scoring Tool for Brief Constructed Response BCR	Scoring Tool for Museum Display

The Research Process

Step One: Questioning

As you look at the task above, list as many questions as you can that will help you to understand and investigate this topic. THINK ABOUT... What do you already know about the problem? What do you need to know: to begin your investigation? in order to suggest some solutions? to increase the awareness of others?

Jump start your thinking! Try these questions to get started; then add some of your own. What was the structure of a typical day in each culture? How did the world around them influence the day-to day lives of the people? How was each society structured? What were the main tenets, beliefs, and values of each culture? Use this Key Word Chart to help you develop key words for your research.

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More Step One: Planning

After you have generated your questions, determine which resources you will use to help answer your questions. Consider the scope of the resources you have available and decide what resources will best answer each question. With your chart, look for specific geographical and biographical resources in addition to historical resources. Remember to record the resources as you locate them so you can return to them if necessary. To help organize your search, you may use a graphic organizer or these ready-made charts: Mayan Artifact Chart Aztec Artifact Chart

Step Two: Gathering, Sorting, and Sifting

In this step you will be using a variety of library resources to find answers to your questions.

Tip: If you did not formulate questions in Step 1, go back and do it now. A topic is not a question.

Remember to cite your references. Check the MLA guidelines and examples for citing resources; however, your school may use a different format.

Print & Nonprint Resources Your library has a variety of resources on both cultures. You will need to search the automated catalog to determine availability and location. Tips for using Library Pro If your library does not use Library Pro, check with your librarian for tips on using your automated catalog. Tips for using BCPL's CARLweb library catalog Electronic Resources Encarta Encyclopedia CD-ROM Grolier Encyclopedia CD-ROM Check with your library media specialist to see if other online commercial products are available in your library.

Internet Resources  Mayan Culture The Maya in Time Maya Ruins Page Mayan Civilization Mayan Civilization Photovault The Maya Welcome to the Maya Civilization The Maya Then and Now Aztec Culture Aztec Civilization The Mexica-Aztec Aztec Aztec Calendar Aztec General Sites Mesoamerican Cultures

Tips for Using the Internet: Using Internet Information  | Using Search Tools | Comparing Search Tools | Search Strategies | Evaluating Internet Resources

To avoid risking plagiarism examine this website for acceptable uses of proper paraphrasing.

 

Step 4: Refined Gathering/Sorting/Sifting 2

Now that you have synthesized your information and evaluated your progress, you are ready to locate additional information to answer your questions and further develop your topic. Return to any of the resources mentioned earlier in Step Two.

Step 5: Final Synthesis and Evaluation

Synthesis is the act of pulling your research and ideas together to form a new whole.

Before you begin, recall the items you were asked to consider in your research. They were:

• How does each artifact depict aspects of the culture?
• In what way was each artifact used?
• Was each artifact symbolic or practical?

Step 6: Presentation and Conclusion

Are you ready to prepare your presentation?

Recall your task and product. Review all of your materials to prepare for your final product. Your product should reflect your efforts during the past steps in the research process: Questioning and Planning Gathering, Sorting, and Sifting Synthesis and Evaluation

Consider: Do you have enough to say? Are you able to describe how each artifact was used and how it reflects the culture in which it is used? Are you able to compare the beliefs in each culture?

Conclusion

You must write a brief constrcted response in which you choose one the two cultures in which to live. Your response should be in Spanish. Recall the scoring tool for your response.	Before you respond, consider how you feel about: which aspects of each culture appeal to you and why. similarities and differences of the daily life of each culture customs and beliefs of each culture