Exploring the Maya civilization
Using a coloured pen, write down any questions that you have about this image.
Now use the internet and non-fiction books to find the answers to your questions. Write the
answers with a different coloured pen.
My question
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The answer I found out
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Page 1 of 13
Exploring the Maya civilization
Using a coloured pen, write down any questions that you have about these images.
Now use the internet and non-fiction books to find the answers to your questions. Write the
answers with a different coloured pen.
My question
© www.teachitprimary.co.uk 2016
The answer I found out.
23765
Page 2 of 13
Exploring the Maya civilization
Using a coloured pen, write down any questions that you have about this image.
Now use the internet and non-fiction books to find the answers to your questions. Write the
answers with a different coloured pen.
My question
© www.teachitprimary.co.uk 2016
The answer I found out.
23765
Page 3 of 13
Exploring the Maya civilization
1. Write a diary entry about a day in the life of a Maya
child.
2. You can choose your status – for example you could
be a farmer’s child or a child from a noble family.
3. Remember your diary should be in the first person and
include references to not only what has happened that
day but your feelings about events aswell!
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Page 4 of 13
Exploring the Maya civilization
Where did the Maya live?
The area where the Maya people lived covers more than one country today. Label the map of
Central America to show the countries where the Maya lived.
Add these five cities to your map:

Uxmal, Mexico

Chichen Itza, Mexico
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Tulum, Mexico
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Tikal, Guatemala

Copàn, Honduras.
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Page 5 of 13
Exploring the Maya civilization
Maya cities fact files
Choose one of the Maya cities to research further.
Complete the fact file.
City: .....................................................................................
Location: ...........................................................................
Population: ........................................................................
Date built: .........................................................................
How much of the city is left today: ..................................................................................................
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Special buildings: .............................................................................................................................
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My favourite facts: ...........................................................................................................................
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Page 6 of 13
Exploring the Maya civilization
Discovering ruins
Imagine you have just discovered the city you researched.
No one has ever seen it before! Describe what you can
see. Can you work out what any of the ruins may have
been used for? Describe how it feels to be the first person
to discover the ruins.
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Page 7 of 13
Exploring the Maya civilization
Fashion designer
Use the internet and non-fiction books to research the different Maya clothes and patterns used.
Then design a Maya outfit using the figures below. Label your ideas, explaining your choices.
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Page 8 of 13
Exploring the Maya civilization
Temple designer
Use the internet and non-fiction books to research the different temples built by the Maya people.
Which gods and hieroglyphs will you include? Label your ideas, explaining your choices.
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Page 9 of 13
Exploring the Maya civilization
Designing hieroglyphs
Taking inspiration from the Maya gods and the hieroglyphs, can you design your own stone
carving out of clay? Label your ideas, explaining your choices.
Draw your design here. Then make it from clay.
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Page 10 of 13
Exploring the Maya civilization
Maya maths
Can you identify the following Maya numbers?
Now create some of your own Maya calculations using the symbols below.
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Page 11 of 13
Exploring the Maya civilization
Maya beliefs
The Maya people believed in many gods. They worshiped their
gods every day. Religion was at the heart of everything they did.
Choose one of the gods the Maya people believed in. Draw a
picture of the god and explain what the Maya believed was special
about them.
My chosen god is: ..................................................................................................................................
They are the symbol of: ........................................................................................................................
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They are special because: .....................................................................................................................
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Page 12 of 13
Maya mind map
Complete the table to show how your life compares to life in the Maya civilization.
My life
Maya civilization
Houses
Clothes
Lifestyle
Food
School
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Page 13 of 13