Exploring Maya Civilization Through Maps

Discovering Ancient Central America Grades 2-5 • 45 Minutes

What is a Civilization?

A group of people living together They build cities and towns They have their own culture and traditions The Maya were an ancient civilization

Find Central America!

Look at your mini map Find Mexico, Guatemala, Belize, Honduras, and El Salvador Color the Maya region with your crayon Work together with your classmates

Where the Maya Lived

Geography Helped the Maya

{"left":"Rainforests gave them wood and animals\nRivers provided fresh water for drinking","right":"Rich soil helped them grow corn and beans\nMountains had stone for building temples"}

Think and Discuss

Why do you think the Maya chose to live near rivers? What would you need to build a city? How did the rainforest help Maya families?

Amazing Maya Achievements

Built incredible pyramid temples Created beautiful art and carvings Developed their own writing system Were skilled astronomers who studied the stars

Create Our Maya Map

Draw the Maya region together Add a temple or pyramid Label three vocabulary words Share what you learned with the class