aidemia--modules-lessonstartideas_type	Give a creative idea how to begin a lesson
Which subject	Geography
What age group	Year or Grade 3
What topic	Ancillary Question 3: Why did the great Maya civilisation of Central America come to an end? If desired, a meaningful connection to the requirements of the history curriculum can be made at this point in the enquiry by introducing pupils to the seven countries of Belize, Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica and Panama. These countries combined are often referred to as Central America – linking the three countries of North America with those of South America. The Maya civilisation was at its strongest between AD 250 and AD 900 (Resource 9), It covered all of Yucatán Peninsula of present-day Mexico, all of the territory now incorporated into the modern countries of Guatemala and Belize, as well as the western parts of Honduras and El Salvador. This ancillary question enables the pupils to understand what made this longest-running civilisation in world history so significant, particularly during this ‘golden age’ (AD 250–900). It also endeavours to solve the mystery as
Quantity	1
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Introduction to the End of the Maya Civilisation

Lesson Hook: A Journey Through Time

Objective

To engage Year 3 students in the topic of the Maya civilisation, focusing on the reasons behind its decline, while making connections to the geography of Central America.

The Creative Idea: Maya Mystery Box

Activity Overview: Begin the lesson with a fun, interactive Maya Mystery Box activity that captures students' curiosity and sets the stage for exploring the Maya civilisation and its geographical context.

Materials Needed:

A decorated box (like a treasure chest)
Items representing the Maya civilisation (e.g., a toy pyramid, replica ancient coins, handicrafts, images of Mayan glyphs, a small map of Central America, etc.)
A few questions written on cards inside the box (e.g., "What do you think happened to the Maya?", "Where do you think the Maya lived?", "What could cause a whole civilisation to change?")

Activity Steps:

Create Excitement: Gather students in a circle around the Maya Mystery Box. Tell them that inside the box are items from a long-lost civilisation that lived many years ago, sparking their imaginations.
Unveiling the Box: Slowly open the box and reveal each item one by one. As you unveil an item, encourage students to think of a story or idea it might represent about the Maya. For instance, when showing the toy pyramid, ask, “What could this pyramid tell us about the Maya's contributions?” and let the discussion flow!
Posing the Questions: After revealing all the items, randomly draw one of the question cards from the box and ask the students to brainstorm possible answers. This encourages critical thinking and allows everyone to express their thoughts about the decline of the Maya.
Geographical Connect: Introduce the seven countries of Central America by showing a map and pointing to each (Belize, Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and Panama). Discuss how these countries relate to the Maya civilisation and its territory from the past. Engage students by asking them to trace the boundaries of the ancient Maya areas on the map.

Transition to Main Lesson:

Conclude this introductory activity by telling students that today, they'll put on their investigator hats and work together to uncover the mystery of why this incredible civilization came to an end. With their curiosity piqued and a geographical context established, they're ready to dive into their lesson!

Summary:

This engaging lesson launch not only introduces students to the Maya civilisation but also connects their learning to geography in Central America, setting a solid foundation for inquiry into the their golden age and eventual decline.