Process

Lesson 1: Introduction & Exploration

Objective: You will activate what you already know about the Maya civilization and learn key vocabulary that will help you complete this WebQuest.

Activities

Brainstorming: We have just discussed the following questions:

• What do you already know about the Maya civilization?

• What areas of Maya life do you think were important (e.g., religion, science, daily life, rulers)?

Exploration: 

Now go to the Introduction page to watch a video about the Maya. Were your initial ideas correct?

Next, explore the two introductory websites below and complete this Intro Worksheet. Remember to make an individual copy using your own Google account.

• BBC Bitesize – Who Were the Ancient Maya?
  https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/topics/zq6svcw/articles/zqv6msg#z8pxxbk

• Britannica Kids – Maya Civilization
  https://kids.britannica.com/students/article/Maya/275746

After you finish, send your copy to your teacher for review.

Closing: Think-Pair-Share: Think of one thing that surprised you about the Maya and one question you still have. Then, share these with the classmate sitting next to you. Finally, share them with the whole class.

Lesson 2: Guided Reading & Language Practice

Objective: You will explore different Maya mysteries, practice reading strategies, and develop academic language skills.

Activities

Exploration:

Explore the following websites and complete each task in your notebook or in a new Google Doc.

Topic 1 — Why Did Maya Cities Collapse?

• National Geographic - Who Were the Maya?

https://www.nationalgeographic.com/history/article/who-were-the-maya

Identify two possible causes of the collapse of the Maya civilization.

• Britannica - Maya People

https://www.britannica.com/topic/Maya-people

Answer this question: When did the major decline of the Maya civilization occur?

Topic 2 — How Did the Maya Understand the Cosmos?

• Smithsonian - Connecting Earth and Sky

https://maya.nmai.si.edu/the-maya/connecting-earth-and-sky

1) Name two celestial bodies the Maya carefully observed.

2) Explain in one sentence: How did observing the sky help the Maya in daily life?

• Britannica - Maya Calendar

https://www.britannica.com/topic/Maya-calendar

True or False? Correct the false statements.

The Maya used only one calendar system. __

The Tzolk’in calendar had 260 days. __

The Haab calendar was based on the solar year. __

The Long Count system was used to record longer historical periods. __

The Maya calendar was only used for agriculture. __

Topic 3 — What Was the Purpose of the Ball Game?

• Maya Archaeologist – Pok-ta-Pok (Maya Ball Game)

https://www.mayaarchaeologist.co.uk/school-resources/maya-world/pok-ta-pok/

1) Match the words to their meanings.

Ballcourt __

The Popul Vuh __

Rubber __

Hips __

a) A strong elastic material used to make the ball

b) A part of the body used to play the game

c) A long, narrow playing area used for the ballgame

d) The story of Maya creation 

2) Use two of the words above in complete sentences.

• History on the Net - The Mayan Ball Game: What Exactly Was It?

https://www.historyonthenet.com/the-mayan-ball-game

1) Identify one new piece of information not mentioned in the previous article.

2) Complete:

Unlike the previous article, this text explains that…

Both articles agree that…

Topic 4 — How Was Maya Writing Deciphered?

• Smithsonian – Writing

https://maya.nmai.si.edu/the-maya/writing

1) Find one sentence in the passive voice (for example: “was discovered,” “was decoded”).

2) Using the passive voice, complete:

Maya glyphs were…

The writing system was…

• National Geographic – The Maya civilization was a mystery. Our family business was solving it.

https://www.nationalgeographic.com/history/article/david-stuart-maya-archaeology-exploration

Answer the following questions:

a) According to the article, why was it difficult for early archaeologists to understand Maya history?

b) What discovery helped scholars begin to read Maya hieroglyphs?

c) In one sentence, explain why David Stuart’s work was important for understanding Maya history.

Closing: You explored four different Maya topics today:

• The collapse of cities

• The calendar and astronomy

• The ball game

• The decipherment of writing

Answer the following orally:

Which topic would you like to revisit and present on?

Lesson 3: Guided Research Worksheet

Objective: You will research a Maya mystery, find important facts and evidence, compare different ideas about it, and start putting your information into a presentation with pictures and explanations.

Activities

Getting together: Based on the mystery topics you chose last class, meet with your group of classmates who picked the same one.

Guided Research Worksheet: With your group, complete a worksheet on Google Docs with the following info:

A. Basic Facts

• What is the mystery your group is researching?

• What key facts from the websites help explain the mystery?

B. Evidence (quote or paraphrase 2–3 pieces)

• Evidence 1:

• Evidence 2:

• Evidence 3:

C. Theories

• Theory A:

• Theory B:

D. Your Evaluation

Which theory seems most convincing based on the evidence? Why?

E. Visuals

Choose two visuals from the websites and copy them with a simple caption: diagram, map, photo, illustration

Starting the Final Product: Students must choose one format:

• Google Slides

• Poster in Canva

• Short video

Outcome: Students will have collected reliable information related to their chosen mystery and begun shaping it into a clear draft of their final product.

Homework: Based on the worksheet, develop your full presentation in the format chosen to share next class.

Lesson 4: Presentation & Reflection

Objective: Students present their findings, receive peer feedback, and reflect on their learning.

Activities

Presentations: Each group presents their mystery (5–7 minutes). Include evidence, theories, images, and reflection on why the mystery is important today.

Peer Evaluation: Students complete a peer evaluation sheet to assess collaboration and presentation quality.

Class Discussion: Which mysteries remain unsolved? What surprised you most about the Maya?

Reflection Task: Complete a short Google Form or Padlet post answering:

• Which Mayan mystery fascinated you most?

• What did you learn about research and teamwork?

• What new questions do you have about the Maya?

Outcome: Students consolidate learning, practice presentation skills, and reflect on both content and process.

Next, take a look at the list of Resources used.