THE GREAT JAGUAR RISES EDUCATOR GUIDE
OVERVIEW
EDUCATOR GUIDE 2
This educator guide is designed as a project-based learning companion to be used in combination with a field trip to Maya, The Great Jaguar Rises at Union Station Kansas City. In this guide, you will find exploration, activity, and project suggestions for before, during, and after the visit to Maya. Additionally, we have included some suggested online resources to help with learning experience design. This exhibition, though appropriate for all ages, aligns closely to learning standards studied in middle school and high school world history and geography. Alignments to both Kansas and Missouri state standards are listed at the end of this guide.
Rises: Topics to explore, research, discuss, and create before or after visiting Maya. The following topics align to the exhibit and provide opportunity for developing background knowledge and fostering sustained inquiry.
Exhibit Connection: Over 300 artifacts primarily dated from 200 through 900 AD can be viewed all throughout the exhibit.
Before you visit Maya, The Great Jaguar
Explore the importance of 3D printed replicas of artifacts.
What can ancient artifacts teach us about ancient cultures?
For additional resources, scan above or unionstation.org/event/mayavisit
Explorations, Activities, And Projects
• Interactive Maya Ruins
How might we celebrate and share how the contributions and innovations of the Maya civilization have impacted our modern-day world?
Interview an archaeologist to learn more about archaeology.
• What information can we glean from these artifacts and images to help us understand Mayan civilization?
INTRODUCTION: WHAT IS ARCHAEOLOGY?
Inquiry
EDUCATOR GUIDE 3
What conditions best preserve artifacts?
Explore artifacts. Select a variety of objects made from different materials for students to examine.
As a class or in small groups, curate thinking:
What type of material are the objects? (wood, metal, paper, glass, etc)
Resources
What materials last a long time and what materials deteriorate?
• 3D Printing for Archaeology
• Preserving Maya Heritage — Interactive site about Mayan Artifacts
• How do you think they created these works?
Why is important?archaeology
Assemble a selection of images of Maya culture artifacts such as buildings, jewelry, masks, statues, writing, and more.
What is archaeology?
How do archaeologists conduct their excavations?
DRIVING QUESTION:
• Archaeology - A Day in the Field
ConsiderHowdiscussion:longagodid the Maya live, and where were they located? How did they contribute to the history and culture of Mesoamerica?
Resources
PEOPLE: WHO ARE THE MAYA?
Explorations, Activities, and Projects
Create a large collaborative timeline of Maya civilization. Consider having small groups research different time periods, focusing on the people and events. Groups add their research to the timeline.
• Maya Timeline
What do we already know about the ancient Maya?
What characteristics of the Maya culture make it a civilization?great Inquiry
How long ago did the Maya live?
• Who are the Maya
What are periods?
• Courtly Art of the Ancient Maya
EDUCATOR GUIDE 4
What do we want to know about the ancient Maya?
• Mayan Kids Timeline
Who were significant people and events?
Using sticky notes or an online collaborative program, have students write down what they already know about the Maya and what questions they have about the Maya. Organize them into topics, facilitating discussion on how these topics connect to today.
Share background on the Maya. Students may want to create a sketchnote of their learning to help visualize the Mayan culture.
For resources,additionalscan qr code or unionstation.org/visitevent/maya
• Consider using Jamboard for online sticky notes.
Exhibit Connection: In Meet the Maya, there is a large timeline of Maya civilization along with anthropomorphic figurines.
Using a notebook, either digital or analog, students research the meaning of the vocabulary words and sketch the meaning or find images to help them remember and make connections.
VOCABULARY: DEVELOP AN ARCHAEOLOGIST INDEX FOR MAYAN RESEARCH
archaeologist artifact lidar hieroglyphstechnology
EDUCATOR GUIDE 5
Vocabulary
anthropomorphicreservoirssanitationsustenancecodicesstelae
For resources,additionalscan qr code or unionstation.org/visitevent/maya
pyramiddeityquetzalfigurine ritual
• Maya GlossaryMesoamerica companion planting complete nutrition cacao maize worldviewagave
Explorations, Activities, and Projects Resources
For additional resources, scan above or unionstation.org/event/mayavisit
Resources
What is the climate like in Mesoamerica?
Maya used companion planting. Is that strategy still used today? If so, what does it entail?
What were some of the items that grew wild in the forest that the Maya collected?Howdidthe Maya use temples to collect water in reservoirs? Why was it important to collect this water?
How did Maya meet their basic needs of food, shelter, and water while living in the dense rainforest?
• The Rainforest
• Technology, Rainwater, and Survival of the Maya
What is companion planting?
How was the rainforest a source of sustenance and identity for the Maya?
Exhibit Connection: The Rainforest gallery includes information about how the Maya used the rainforest to build their civilization, along with artifacts and information about The World Tree.
For resources,additionalscan qr code or unionstation.org/visitevent/maya
Inquiry
• Maya Forest
• Maya Map
Research local weather patterns and compare and contrast the weather in the Maya homeland with those in your own community.
• Maya Farming Methods
techniques in the region closest to your school with those of the Maya. Explore topics such as when planting takes place, what the soil is like, how the crops are nourished, and when they are harvested.
How did the land support the people?
EDUCATOR GUIDE GEOGRAPHY:6
• Homeland of the Maya
Exhibit Connection: In Maya Agriculture and Garden Cities, there is information and visuals about Mayan farming techniques as well as an interactive exhibit highlighting city design.
Consider dividing students into different groups and have them adopt a citystate. They could research specific citystates and how the land supported the
Comparepeople.farming
• Water Filtration in Tikal
HOW DID THE GEOGRAPHY OF MESOAMERICA INFLUENCE THE MAYAN WAY OF LIFE?
As a class, create a large map of Mesoamerica and identify the locations of the major citystates in the Maya region and their local environments (highlands, lowlands, etc).
Where is the Maya homeland?
Research the Mayan’s relationship with the rainforest. Consider the following: What methods did the Maya use beyond slash-and-burn agriculture to provide fertile ground for growing crops?
Explorations, Activities, and Projects
• Ballgame Teacher Notes
• Maya Ball Game
Consider having students research recipes for dishes modern Maya people make from corn, beans and squash. Try these recipes out in class or at home.
Exhibit Connection: The Gaming with the Gods gallery includes a 3D replica of a Maya ball.
For resources,additionalscan qr code or unionstation.org/visitevent/maya
• Maya Farming and Maize
Explorations, Activities, and Projects Resources
Exhibit Connection: The Rainforest gallery includes a video about the importance of maize in Mayan culture.
How was the "ball game" connected to the Maya religion?
What was the Mayans relationship with HowMaize?is
EDUCATOR GUIDE 7
• Ballgame Google Slides for presentation
How did Maya design their cities to thrive? Inquiry
Exhibit Connection: In Maya Agriculture and Garden Cities, there is an interactive exhibit highlighting city design.
city-states include: Palenque, Copán, Tikal, Toniná, Yaxchilán, Banampak
Research how the Mayans valued maize in many aspects of their culture. Research the importance of the cacao bean.
• Cities of the Rainforest
What was the "ball game?"
• Chocolate
the Maize God story connected to the maize crop cycle?
CITIES, FARMING, AND DAILY LIFE
• Virtual Field Trip
What product was first harvested by Mayans?
Consider dividing students into different groups and have them adopt a city-state to research how each city was intentionally Somedesigned.major
Research the meaning of the ball game. Learn how to play the Maya ballgame.
• Maya Ball Game - Pok ta Pok
Exhibit Connection: In Meet the Maya, see fragments of Wall Paintings of San Bartolo and hear stories from a contemporary Maya woman.
What kinds of stories and myths did Maya tell?
Read the story of the Hero Twins from the Maya CreationWhatstory.assumptions do we make about the Maya based on their stories?
– The Ruler of the Heavens
• Creation Myth - video
• Chaac – The Mayan Rain God
EDUCATOR GUIDE 8
• Hero Twins
Consider having students design their own masks in the style of the Maya and write the meaning and purpose of their mask.
• The Popul Vuh
• Maya Pantheon of Gods and Goddesses
• Presentation about Maya Masks
• Courtly Art of the Ancient Maya
GODS, GODDESSES, MYTHS, AND BELIEFS
Inquiry
What were their religious beliefs?
Exhibit Connection: Observe and explore artifacts, music, and 3D replicas relating to Maya gods and goddesses in 8,000 Gods.
Research why Mayans used masks in their culture. Materials and colors used such as stone, shell, and jade.
As a class, brainstorm a list of American myths and tall tales that are familiar to the students such as Paul Bunyan and Johnny Appleseed. Discuss characteristics of myths such as larger than life characters and hyperbole for storytelling.
• Ix Chel – The Mayan Moon Goddess
• Kinich Ahau – The Yucatec Mayan Sun God
What was the Maya’s worldview?
• Huracan – The Mayan God of Storms and Chaos
Resources
Have students choose one of the Maya principal gods or goddesses to research and present to the class.
Explorations, Activities, and Projects
• World Tree and Universe Design
Howsociety?do myths relate to a society’s worldview?
• The Illustrated Popul Vuh
• Maya’s Gods and Goddesses
Have students research to understand how the Maya saw themselves and their place in the world.
Why were myths important to Maya
Patterns used such as mosaic and meaning. Purposes of masks
• Guatemalan Masks
•Ideas:Itzamna
• Ek Chuaj - Merchant deity and god of cacao
• Maya Worldview
• Storied Walls
• Yumil Kaxob – The Mayan God of Flora
Why were masks important to the Mayan Culture?
• Yum Kaax – The Mayan God of Forests
• Ix Chel - the goddess of medicine and childbirth For resources,additionalscan qr code or unionstation.org/visitevent/maya
Exhibit Connection: At the entrance of the Maya exhibit, there is a wall of Mayan masks (replicas).
Consider: Universe design Maya soul and afterlife
• Maya Masks
Supernatural and Natural life connections
Consider having students write and illustrate their own myths in the style of a Maya codex or wall painting. Ideas could explain a natural phenomenon or provide a moral lesson.
• Yum Cimil – The Yucatec Mayan God of Death
What role did gods and goddesses play in Maya culture?
• Maya (moreMathindepth lessons)
WRITING, MATH, AND MORE
• Interactive Calendar Glyphs
Inquiry
• Maya Math Game
EDUCATOR GUIDE 9
What type of writing did the Maya use?
• Maya Glyphs
Exhibit Connection: In the Maya Script gallery, there are several interactives illustrating Maya glyphs and calendar.
Explorations, Activities, and Projects Resources
Have students write their age using the Maya numbering system.
Explore the Maya number system and compare it to our number system.
• Introduction to Maya Writing
For resources,additionalscan qr code or unionstation.org/visitevent/maya
Who knew how to write, and what did they write on?
Research Maya glyphs and how Maya recorded important information using their hieroglyphic writing system.
What mathematicalgreat discovery are the Maya known for? (zero)
• How to Create a Mayan Codex
Invite students to create codices to record an important event in their lives.
• Maya Math
What role do royalty play in the modern world?
Research why Maya unraveled as a civilization.
Exhibit Connection: In the Divine Kings and Queens, read and learn about the royal dynasties.
Why was jewelry important to royalty?
• Maya Government Exhibit Connection: In Maya Politics, explore different artifacts explaining the heightened political upheaval and rise of two superpower city-states.
For resources,additionalscan qr code or unionstation.org/visitevent/maya
POLITICS
What happened as city-states grew into kingdoms?
Exhibit Connection: In Maya Collapse, explore reasons why the civilization declined.
• Mayan Art Exhibit Connection: In the Divine Kings and Queens, explore different objects including jade masks, jewelry, and other artifacts used by royalty.
Explorations, Activities, and Projects
EDUCATOR GUIDE ROYALTY10AND
Research the roll of kings and queens. Royal families were intricately linked to Maya politics.
What caused the Maya collapse?
• Courtly Art of the Ancient Maya
• Maya Collapse
What role did royalty play in Ancient Maya?
Shapes TypesSignificance
ResourcesInquiry
Research the importance and creation of jewelry in Maya culture, especially as it relates to royalty.Materials
Research the rise of Tikal and Calakmul as dominant superpowers.
• The Maya Calendar System
Exhibit Connection: In the Maya Agriculture gallery, there are several interactives illustrating Maya pyramids.
ARCHITECTURE AND ASTRONOMY
Discuss Maya buildings and the creation of pyramids.Whywere they built? Out of what Whomaterials?werethe buildings for, and what purposes did they serve?
• Maya Skies
For resources,additionalscan qr code or unionstation.org/visitevent/maya
Purpose and placement
What did buildings require of the community, and what did it give back?
Architecture: What are templepyramids?
• Maya Calendar
Explore the Maya calendar system. Compare our modern calendar to the Maya 365-day Vague Year calendar.
In small groups, investigate one of the pyramids built by the Maya. Consider: Size and materials Color, design, and decoration
• Cities and Architecture
Explorations, Activities, and Projects Resources
HowAstronomy:didMaya keep track of days?
Inquiry
EDUCATOR GUIDE 11
Exhibit Connection: In the Maya Script gallery, there are several interactives illustrating Maya glyphs and calendar.
Archeologists use objects to learn more about the past. Find artifacts in this gallery that help you understand Maya life. Sketch and describe a favorite object from this section.
What is a codex? How does a codex help us know more about the Maya?
Create a picture book highlighting different aspects of the Mayan culture.
Find artifacts in this section that help you understand the turmoil and conflicts between city-states.
After you visit Maya, The Great Jaguar Rises:
• What insights do the wall paintings give you into the Mayan creation story, the importance of maize, and the hero twins (sun and moon)?
Explore Tikal using Lidar Mapping. What do you notice about how they designed cities?
Gallery: The Great Collapse
What is the significance of the Jaguar?
Why were royals so important?
Gallery: Gods and Goddesses
What was the greatest gift from the gods?
Entrance to MAYA: At the entrance of the Maya exhibit, there is a wall of Mayan masks (replicas).
Gallery: Gaming With The Gods
EDUCATOR GUIDE 12
What was the importance of Cacao in the Maya economy? Explore the pyramids. Find the 3D printed replicas to touch in this gallery.
Sketch and describe a favorite object from this section. Use words that describe color, shape, texture, use of space, pattern, repetition, size.
Create a video sharing the story of how Maya’s ancient practices are still used today.
Find the replica jade mask. Compare it to the real mask
Gallery: Writing on the Walls (Maya Script)
Create 3D replicas of Maya architecture and artifacts. Design jewelry out of shells.
Explore the artifacts in this gallery. What do you notice about the Mayan people by how they created these Whyartifacts?wasthe
How did Maya use writing?
Maize god important in Mayan culture?
Gallery: Maya Agriculture and Garden Cities
Gallery: Meet The Maya
Looknearby.atthe jewelry created with jade and shells. Sketch and describe a favorite object from the jewelry exhibit. What styles of Mayan jewelry are still popular today?
What was the purpose of rainforest in Mayan culture?
As a class, consider ways to celebrate and share how the contributions and innovations of the Maya civilization have impacted our modern-day world with your community.
• Read the timeline and map • Look at the wall of ceramics in this gallery. What do you notice about the designs?
Gallery: The Big Transformation
Why is the grindstone important to the Mayans? (Video)
Gallery: Taming the Wilds of the Tropical Rainforest
What caused the collapse of a once thriving civilization?
A Rich and Enduring Culture
Transform a space into a rainforest highlighting Maya agriculture methods.
VISITING MAYA, THE GREAT JAGUAR RISES
Note for Teachers: Throughout the exhibit, there are 3D printed replicas of ancient Maya artifacts. Please encourage students to touch and experience a piece of history. The following are suggested observation and reflection activities along with discussion questions for each gallery.
What game did the Mayans play that is still popular Maketoday?sure to touch the rubber replica of the ball.
Observe the stela. What do you notice? Try the interactive glyphs exhibit. Touch the replica of the stone tablet.
Explore the artifacts in this gallery. Is there a particular one that catches your eye? Sketch and describe a favorite object from this section.
Wall Paintings of San Bartolo
Gallery: Divine Kings and Queens
Gallery: Maya Politics
Additional Project Ideas:
LITERACY STANDARDS RELEVANT TO HISTORY
SOCIAL STUDIES MISSOURI LEARNING STANDARDS
• RI.6-8.10 Use knowledge of language and its conventions when reading to aid comprehension of informational texts.
scientific, technological, intellectual, and artistic advancements to determine the legacy of the ancient civilizations.
ELA MISSOURI
• RI 6-10 Read and comprehend high quality and engaging informational text of appropriate quantitative and qualitative complexity for Grade 6-10.
• 1.4.D. Analyze the cultures of civilizations in
6-8 Geography
SOCIAL STUDIES KANSAS STATE STANDARDS: MS GEOGRAPHY | MS ANCIENT HISTORY | UL
STATE STANDARDS
• 3.1.B. Describe the impact of human settlement activities on the environmental and cultural characteristics of world regions prior to c. 1450.
6-8 World History
• 5.1.A. Analyze material culture to explain a people’s perspective and use of place.
StandardGEOGRAPHY3:Societies are shaped by the identities, beliefs, and practices of individuals and groups. As it relates to Mayan culture and history, students •may:3.1
• 3.2 The student will analyze context and draw conclusions about how societies are shaped by the identities, beliefs, and practices of individuals and
EDUCATOR GUIDE 13
• 3.1.B. Analyze how the physical and human characteristics of current world regions are connected to changing identity and culture.
• 1.2.C. Evaluate the impact of human settlement activities on the environmental and cultural characteristics of specific places and regions.
9-12 World History and Geography
MS 6-8 | HS 9-10 Reading Informational Text • Comprehend and Interpret Texts (Approaching Texts as a Reader)•Evidence/Inference•WordMeanings • Synthesize Ideas from Multiple Texts (Approaching Texts as a Researcher) • Historical Context • Comprehension Writing • Approaching the Task as a Researcher • Research • Development
• RI.9-10.10 Apply knowledge of language to understand how language functions in different contexts, to make effective choices for meaning or style, and to comprehend more fully when reading
• 5.1.A. Using a world history lens, describe how peoples’ perspectives shaped the sources/artifacts they created.
ELAgroups.KANSAS
The student will recognize and evaluate how societies are shaped by the identities, beliefs, and practices of individuals and groups.
Compare the dominant characteristics, contributions of, and interactions among major civilizations of Asia, Europe, Africa, the Americas and Middle East in ancient and medieval times. LEARNING STANDARDS
•Mesoamerica.5.2.D.Analyze