Objective SWBAT describe the religious practices of the Mayans.

Beliefs poly jaguar The Maya were _____theistic The Maya believed in more than 160 gods Primary gods were forces of nature Examples: The __________ was an important animal in the Mayan religion poly sun god, rain god, corn god, god of death Sun god, maize god jaguar

Chocolate God Yes, the Mayans even prayed to the chocolate god!

Close your eyes and pray to the chocolate god… Give chocolate to the high classes

Sacrifices See video clip on YouTube The Maya believed that gods had created the world and could influence or destroy it. The Maya believed they could please the gods with a gift of human blood. See video clip on YouTube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hA8Bjzj-aLs&feature=related

Pok-a-tok Two teams of nobles played the game. Players tried to hit a rubber ball through a stone hoop using their elbows, wrists, and hips. All levels of Mayan society watched and bet on the game. Members of the losing team may have been sacrificed. Pok-a-tok http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jKvQjgC9sIY&feature=related

The Mayan Calendar See video clip on YouTube The Maya’s used their knowledge of mathematics and astronomy to develop a complex calendar system. The Mayans used two calendars: 365-day solar calendar 260-day sacred calendar See video clip on YouTube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HCumFJjPr8s

The Mayan Calendar The Mayans had two calendars: a 260-day sacred calendar and 365-day solar calendar. Ready to learn how to use the sacred calendar?

The Sacred Calendar The sacred calendar has 260 days. Each day in the sacred calendar consists of a number, represented by dots and bars, and a day name, represented by a glyph (symbol). The smaller round contains the numbers. A dot represents 1. A bar represents 5. How many numbers are on the smaller round? The larger round contains the day names. How many glyphs are on the larger round? 13 x 20 = 260 days 13 The first day on the ritual calendar is 1 Imix. Have students find these two points on their calendars (they are marked with arrows). have them fit the point of Imix into the notch for the single dot. • Explain that to find the next day on the ritual calendar, they must carefully rotate the two rounds toward each other, fitting the next point into the next notch. Have students practice this and tell you what the next day on the calendar is (2 Ik). Repeat this a few times to make sure students understand how to use the Sacred Round. 20

Pretend you are a Mayan priest. You must solve these problems. When to get married? Today is 5 Chuen. The parents of Ix Nic (nic means “little flower”) and Ah Bacal (bacal means “corncob”) would like your advice on when their daughter and son should marry. Consult the sacred calendar to determine which day in the next 9 days would be the best for their wedding ceremony. When to go to war? Today is 1 Ix. The ruler of your city wants to attack a rival Mayan city in 12 days. Consult the sacred calendar to determine whether you would recommend that the ruler go ahead with the attack as planned.

Answer Key Problem 1: 7 Ben might be the best day for the wedding because the symbol for Ben, a maize seedling, combines parts of the names of the bride and groom. Others might wait until 1 Ahau. Problem 2: 13 Cimi might not be a good day to attack because Cimi means death and the symbol is a human skull. Others, however, might interpret this as a good sign.

Homework: A Day in the Life of a Mayan _______________ Write a 2 page short story Genre: Historical Fiction Topic: A Day in the Life of a Mayan _______ Follow the plot diagram and include a conflict, rising action, climax, falling action, and resolution. Use at least five pieces of dialogue! Use as many vocabulary words as possible. Use the brainstorming chart on the back to help you! I will post the PowerPoints online if you need more inspiration. Merits will be given to the best work! The best stories will be read aloud on Friday!

Objective SWBAT locate the Mayan civilization on a map.

Where is the Mayan civilization? Step 1: Use the map on page 418 to label all countries. Step 2: Use the map on page 261 to shade in the Mayan civilization. Use a marker to color code! In which five countries can you find Mayan ruins?

Objective SWBAT explain how the geography of the Mayan civilization affected its economy.

Use the map on page 261 in your textbook to complete this section on page 7 of your notes

Resources in the Peten Jungle Use Rubber tree Rubber ball for pok-a-tok

Resources in the Peten Jungle Use Cocoa trees Chocolate

Resources in the Peten Jungle Use Quetzal feathers Headdresses for kings

Resources in the Peten Jungle Use Plants such as the give and take palm Medicines

Problem Population grows… Not enough land to grow enough food to feed all of the people!

Solution Problem Slash and burn agriculture: Clear land by cutting and burning plants and trees, then plant more crops!

Problem Without the trees, the soil does not hold nutrients… The soil quality becomes too poor to support crops!