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Unit of Study #42
Unit Components
School District:Watertown
Unit of Study Title:Maya People of Mexico and Central America
Grade Level:3-5
Time Frame:6 hours
Key Words:Maya, Mexico, Central America, Ancient Civilizations, Inca, Aztec, History
 
Unit Designer:Coleen Ehresmann
Unit Designer E-mail:Coleen.Ehresmann@k12.sd.us
Date Added:6/14/2002 9:52:52 AM
Date Last Revised:6/14/2002 9:52:52 AM
 
Topic Area:Social Science
 
Peer Reviewer:Robert Bemis
Peer Reviewer E-mail:robert.bemis@k12.sd.us

Brief Summary of Unit: This unit is about the culture of the ancient Maya people, how their ancient culture affects the Maya people today, and how the culture of the ancient Maya compares to that of the Aztec and Inca people. It is part of an extensive study of Mexico, Central America and South America.
Students will Understand: Students will understand how the ancient culture affects the people today.
Students will understand how the ancient Maya culture compares to the ancient cultures of the Aztec and Inca people.

SD Content Standards
Link to Standards #1
Goal:

Social Science
Students will understand the interrelationships of people, places, and the environment.
Indicator:Analyze the relationships among the natural environments, the movement of peoples, and the development of societies.
Benchmark(s):Describe ways humans are impacted by the natural environment.
Other Content Standards:Students will access, synthesize, and evaluate information from a variety of sources.
Students will read at increasing levels of complexity for a variety of purposes.
Students will write effectively for different audiences and specific purposes.
Students will use critical listening and viewing skills in various situations and for a variety of purposes.
Students will write effectively for different audiences and specific purposes.
Students will understand the historical development and contemporary role of governmental power and authority.
Students will understand the emergence and development of civilizations and cultures over time and place.
Students will access, synthesize, and evaluate information from a variety of sources.
Students will read at increasing levels of complexity for a variety of purposes.
Students will write effectively for different audiences and specific purposes.
Students will use critical listening and viewing skills in various situations and for a variety of purposes.
Students will write effectively for different audiences and specific purposes.
Students will understand the historical development and contemporary role of governmental power and authority.
Students will understand the emergence and development of civilizations and cultures over time and place.

Other Components
Essential Questions to Guide this Unit and Focus Teaching and Learning: How did the region (climate, natural resources, topography) in which the Maya lived affect their culture?
How did invasions of other people affect the Maya people?
Why might a group of people leave their home?
What role did religion play in the culture of the ancient Maya people?
What influences a culture of an ancient people? Do these same influences affect a culture today?
What is unique about the Maya people and their culture?
Key Knowledge and Skills Students will Acquire: Students will be able to develop a time line to show the history of the ancient Maya people.
Students will be able to identify the region in which the Maya lived.
Students will be able to identify aspects of the climate, topography and natural resources that influenced the Maya culture.
Students will be able to identify influences on a culture.
Students will be able to compare and contrast the ancient culture of the Maya, Aztec and Inca people.
Assessment Plan: Students will create an Inspiration about the culture of the Ancient Maya People. It will include the following: location, time period, and at least 4 cultural inluences with at least 3 details each.
Learning Activities: Students will learn about the culture of the ancient Maya people through the following activities:
1. View a video about ancient Maya Culture
2. View a teacher created PowerPoint about Maya people
3. Participate in a class discussion about Maya culture
4. Create an Inspiration web
5. Create a time line using Inspiration or Timeliner
6. Use Internet to explore web sites about Maya people
Students will learn about the culture of the ancient Maya people through the following activities:
1. View a video about ancient Maya Culture
2. View a teacher created PowerPoint about Maya people
3. Participate in a class discussion about Maya culture
4. Create an Inspiration web
5. Create a time line using Inspiration or Timeliner
6. Use Internet to explore web sites about Maya people
Notes:None Listed
Internet Resource Link: None Listed

Adapted from the the work of Jay McTighe and Grant Wiggins. Understanding by
Design. Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development. Alexandria, VA. 1998.

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