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Upper Key Stage 2 Maya
Cities and Architecture

Learn about the organisation of Maya cities, study different kinds of buildings, and investigate some aspects of daily life. Study the buildings of this very early civilisation and consolidate your knowledge as you make a range of buildings that you can put together to make a class Maya city.

block outcomes

Session 1 Plazas and ball courts

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Objectives

History

  • Develop a chronologically secure knowledge and understanding of world history, establishing clear narratives within and across the periods they study.
  • Understand how our knowledge of the past is constructed from a range of sources.
  • Undertake an in-depth study of a non-European society that provides contrasts with British history- The Maya civilisation.

PE

  • Play competitive games, modified where appropriate and apply basic principles suitable for attacking and defending.
  • Take part in outdoor and adventurous activity challenges both individually and within a team.

Lesson Planning

Learn about the organisation of Maya buildings around a plaza; make temples and a class plaza; learn about the rules of the Maya ball game Pok-ta-Pok and play this ritual game.

Teaching Outcomes:

  • To understand the basic structure and layout of a Maya settlement.
  • Learn about the Maya Ball Game, Pok-ta-Pok and understand the ritual importance of the game for the Maya.

Children will:

  • Understand that the Maya organized their buildings around a central plaza and why it was an important part of the city.
  • Learn about the Maya ball game Pok-ta-Pok and understand its ritual importance for the Maya.

Provided Resources

  • The Maya city of Tikal in Guatemala
  • How to play Pok-ta-Pok

You Will Need

  • Lego and Lego bases
  • Large sand timers
  • Hoops
  • Soft ball, tennis ball and beach ball
  • Tape
  • Chalk
  • Tiddlywinks

Session 2 Temple-pyramids and palaces

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Objectives

History

  • Develop a chronologically secure knowledge and understanding of world history, establishing clear narratives within and across the periods they study.
  • Understand how our knowledge of the past is constructed from a range of sources.
  • Undertake an in-depth study of a non-European society that provides contrasts with British history - The Maya civilization.

Design and Technology

  • Use research and develop design criteria to inform the design of functional products that are fit for purpose.
  • Generate, develop, model and communicate their ideas through discussion, annotated sketches and prototypes.
  • Select from and use a wider range of tools and equipment to perform practical tasks accurately.
  • Select from and use a wider range of materials & components.
  • Evaluate their ideas & products against their own design criteria.

Lesson Planning

Study the features and ceremonies of the temple-pyramids and palaces of the Maya; construct a temple- pyramid out of clay and make a class Maya city; add walkways.

Teaching Outcomes:

  • To study and understand the nature and importance of temple-pyramids in the Maya community.
  • To construct a Temple-pyramid out of clay slabs to include in a class Maya city.

Children will:

  • Understand the importance of temple-pyramids and palaces in the Maya community.
  • Research the type of important ceremonies that took place on the top of the temple and understand that temples were often built as staging posts for ceremonial events.
  • Construct a Temple-pyramid and palace out of clay slabs to include in the class Maya city.

Provided Resources

  • Maya pyramids and temples
  • Possible research questions
  • How to make a Maya temple

You Will Need

  • Sugar cubes
  • Sticky notes
  • Sheets and boxes of cardboard
  • Cartons (junk modelling)
  • Air-drying clay
  • Lego
  • Internet access

Session 3 Homes and roads

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Objectives

History

  • Develop a chronologically secure knowledge and understanding of world history, establishing clear narratives within and across the periods they study.
  • Understand how our knowledge of the past is constructed from a range of sources.
  • Undertake an in-depth study of a non-European society that provides contrasts with British history- The Maya civilization.

Design and Technology

  • Use research and develop design criteria to inform the design of functional products that are fit for purpose.
  • Generate, develop, model and communicate their ideas through discussion, annotated sketches and prototypes.
  • Select from and use a wider range of tools and equipment to perform practical tasks accurately.
  • Select from and use a wider range of materials and components.
  • Evaluate their ideas and products against their own design criteria.

Lesson Planning

Discover the palaces of the Maya kings and the houses of the common people; construct clusters of small residential houses to add to the class Maya city; invite guests to visit your Maya city and entertain them with hot chocolate and flour tortillas.

Teaching Outcomes:

  • To understand that Maya lived in small houses outside the city centre, in extended family groups.
  • To construct residential houses and add detail to the class Maya city.

Children will:

  • Be familiar with the residential houses of the ordinary Maya people.
  • Understand that they lived in small houses outside the city centre, in extended family groups.
  • Be able to construct residential houses and make and serve hot chocolate and flour tortillas.

Provided Resources

  • How to make flour tortillas
  • Maya roads
  • How to make a Maya house

You Will Need

  • Lego
  • Art straws, craft matchsticks, lolly sticks,
  • Cooking ingredients: plain flour, baking powder, salt, water, lard, oil, instant hot chocolate, milk
  • Cooking equipment: frying pan, hob, mugs, bowls, forks

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