Name:_________________________

Date:_________________

Verbal/Linguistic (W.5.3)
Activity: storytelling develop your own Mayan myth.
Directions: The Mayans were great at storytelling, taking a page from their book and
create your own myth story. It must use the same style and tone like the myths we
have examined in The Honey Jar, or other myth stories we have read of the Mayans.
The myth should include a moral of the story. You can take it from family traditions
or something we have already discussed in class. Be creative.

Name:_________________________

Date:________________

Logical/Mathmatical (RI.5.7)

Activity: Do some math problems using the Mayan number system.

Directions: Solve the simple math equations, and then rewrite the equations and
answers to in Mayan numbers below each set of math problems.
1) 4 + 5 = _____

2) 10 + 3 = ______

______________________=_______

__________________________=________

3) 0 * 20 = ______

4) 8 / 4 =_______

_____________________=__________

_________________________=_________

5) 6 3 = _____

6) 2 * 9 = ______

____________________=________

_________________________=_________

8) 20 12 = ______

9) 2 + 2 = ________

______________________=______

___________________________=_____

When you are done solving the problems using Mayan numbers, reflect on these
questions: How does this math system relate to our math system? Do you think we
developed our number system from that of the Mayans? Why or why not? How do
you think this number system affected the life style of the Mayans? Would you want
to use this math system over the one we normally use?

Here is a reference sheet to refresh your memory on Mayan numbers.

Name:_________________________

Date:_________________

Visual/Spatial
Activity: Draw a Picture (SL.5.5)
Directions: use the space below to draw a picture of what you believe a Mayan
festival would look like. Be sure to label what kind of food, clothes, and people
would attend the festival. You may like to show what activates the Mayans
participated in during the festival.

Name:_________________________

Date:_________________

Bodily/Kinesthetic (RL.5.5, W.5.3b)

Activity: Putting on a play.
Directions: In small groups you each will develop a short play that will highlight a
day in the life of a Mayan citizen. Pick any occupation you like to exhibit. You must
include a character list and descriptions of the different characters. Be prepared to
act it out for the class. The play should be no more than two minutes long (i.e. two
pages of dialogue at most). For example: if you decide to focus on a family life style,
describe the roles each person would be doing in the family. The kind of
conversations would a family at this time have. Would they be talking about an
upcoming festival, or maybe a new King that has taken over?

Name:_________________________

Date:_________________

Musical/Rhythmic (SL.5.5.)
Activity: Make our own musical instruments.
Directions: The Mayans used music for festivals and ceremonies. After examining
different types of instruments that the Mayans used to make music during their
time, we will make our own instruments. We may even try to play these instruments
as our own little orchestra. Here is a link of how to make some Mayan instruments
using clay: http://ceramicartsdaily.org/pottery-making-techniques/handbuildingtechniques/making-music-with-clay-how-to-make-a-ceramic-ocarina-2/

Name:_________________________

Date:_________________

Interpersonal/Social (SL.5.1)
Activity: Debate time
Directions: We will split into sides and discuss the pros and cons of technological
advances that the Mayans are making. Each side must pretend that they are
encountering these technologies for the first time as Mayan Citizens. One side will
argue for the technologies and the other against them. Below write your arguments
and any notes from the debate.

Here is a list of the new technologies that the students will have to debate over.
New:
1)
2)
3)
4)

Jadeite Tools used by artisans, very hard to break, but harder to mold.
Cement to use in buildings
Obsidian Tools used because they can have very sharp edges.
Raised fields for agriculture grid patterns where water could pass through
canals and into the soil of the raised fields.
5) Bridge It is suggested that the Mayans built a suspension bridge across the
river separated Yucatan from the rest of the land.
6) Elevated roadways called Sacbeob Mayans created paved roadways over
jungle floors for easier transportation.

Name:_________________________

Date:_________________

Intrapersonal/Introspective
Activity: Poem (W.5.11)
Directions: Write a poem about the Mayans. It can be from a Mayan childs point of
view, or from your own point of view using information you know about Mayan life.
Most important is to be creative and show what you know. (Example: a haiku of the
way the Mayans valued nature and their surroundings).

Name: ________________

Date:___________

Naturalist (W.5.1b)
Directions: Describe the emphasis on astronomy that the Mayans had. What was the
purpose and how did it affect everyday life? How does the astronomy of the Mayans
differ from today, how is it the same?