Antigua,
Guatemala
A VIRTUAL FIELD TRIP BY JULIE PETERS
Background information
 The purpose of this VFT is for students to be able to locate and
appreciate the unique aspects of Antigua, Guatemala. They
will gain this knowledge/insight through small group
activities, class discussions, and individual reading that will
require them to utilize various maps, construct a memorable
example of Mayan culture (Trouble Doll), and engage in
meaningful discussions.
 The objectives are that all students should be able to: 1) locate
Antigua on a map of Guatemala; 2) describe the industry and
agriculture for Antigua and its bordering area; 3) describe the
geography of Antigua and its bordering area; and 4) state at
least three facts about Antigua and/or Guatemala (e.g.,
national instrument, national bird, etc.)
Grade Level Content Expectations
 2-G1.0.2 Use maps to describe the spatial
organization of the local community by applying
concepts including relative location and using
distance, direction, and scale.
 2-G4.0.1 Describe land use in the community (e.g.,
where people live, where services are provided,
where products are made).
Antigua is in Guatemala ; Guatemala is in Central America. Can you locate
Central America on this map of the world?
Before we can find Antigua, we need to find Guatemala. Can
you locate Guatemala on this map of Central America?
Did you know?
GUATEMALA HAS BEAUTIFUL WEATHER
ALL YEAR ROUND. THAT IS WHY IT IS
KNOWN AS
“THE LAND OF ETERNAL SPRING”
Antigua is near Guatemala City, the capital of Guatemala. Can you locate
Antigua on this map of Guatemala?
Form small groups of
approximately four
students. Each group
should discuss what they
notice about Antigua on
the map shown. List as
many things as possible.
Then we will discuss as a
whole group.
 Near several volcanoes
 Near Guatemala City (capital of
Guatemala)
 Near Lake Atitlan (it’s not the
largest, but it is the deepest lake
in Central America)
 Near Mayan ruins
 Somewhat near Mexico
 Somewhat near Pacific Ocean
What do you notice about Antigua
on this partial map of Guatemala?
Did you know?
There are more than
33 volcanoes in
Guatemala.
Antigua is nestled
among three of
them: Aqua, Fuego,
and Acatenango.
Did you know?
About 60% of the
people in Guatemala
speak Spanish. The
other 40% speak a
Mayan language.
There are more than 20
Mayan languages in
Guatemala.
Did you know?
The national
currency in
Guatemala is
called a quetzal.
It comes from
the name of their
official bird, the
Quetzal. That’s
because the
ancient Mayan
people used the
feathers of the
Quetzal as
currency.
Did you know?
WEAVING IS VERY MUCH A PART OF THE
CULTURE IN GUATEMALA. GIRLS LEARN
THIS SKILL AT A VERY EARLY AGE.
CLICK HERE TO WATCH A VIDEO OF A GIRL
WEAVING.
Did you know?
The national
instrument in
Guatemala is
the marimba.
Click here to
hear what a
marimba
sounds like.
Think. Pair. Share.
Think on your own, then
pair up with another
person and compare
answers. Afterwards, we
will share and discuss
our answers as a whole
group.
 What is special about the areas
where coffee is grown? Did you
remember from the previous
map that volcanoes are nearby?
How do you think this affects the
soil?
 The agriculture changes almost
in layers or steps. Why do you
think that is?
Looking at the agricultural areas on
the map, what is the agriculture of
Antigua and its bordering area?
Think. Pair. Share.
Think on your own, then
pair up with another
person and compare
answers. Afterwards, we
will share and discuss our
answers as a whole group.
 Do the streets seem
more compact near the
Plaza Mayor? Why do you
think that is?
 Do the streets seem
more spread out away
from the Plaza Mayor?
Why do you think that is?
 How is the Plaza Mayor
similar/ different than the
Downtown area of a city in
Michigan?
 What types of things do
you think are in the Plaza
Mayor?
Plaza Mayor means “main square” in Spanish.
What conclusions can you draw from looking at
the Plaza Mayor on the map of La Antigua?
Did you know?
The people who live
in Antigua often
come to Plaza Mayor
to sell their goods or
even wash their
clothes.
How is this similar or
different from the
people in Michigan?
Did you know?
The Spanish began
settling in Antigua
as early as 1524 and
made it the capital
of Guatemala.
In 1773, Antigua
was destroyed by an
earthquake, so they
moved the capital.
Even though they
moved the capital,
many of the
buildings are still
there today!
Mayan Trouble Dolls of
Guatemala
CLICK HERE TO READ THE STORY OF THE
MAYAN TROUBLE DOLLS OF GUATEMALA
Follow-up Activities
Make your own Trouble Doll: Click here for instructions
How Well Do You Remember? (a whole group exercise):
 Locate Central America on a map of the world
 Locate Guatemala on a map of Central America
 Locate Antigua on a map of Guatemala
 Describe the industry and agriculture for Antigua and its bordering area
 Describe the geography of Antigua and its bordering area
 State at least three facts about Guatemala (or specifically, Antigua)
Presentations of the Trouble Dolls:
 Present your Trouble Doll to the class
 State what trouble(s) of yours you would like it to take away.
References
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ScienceJoyWagon: http://www.sciencejoywagon.com/kwirt/mayan/index.htm
National Geographic Kids: http://kidsblogs.nationalgeographic.com/you-are-here/guatemala/
LaRutaMayaOnline: http://www.larutamayaonline.com/guatemala/maps/index.php
Adventure Learning Foundation: http://www.larutamayaonline.com/guatemala/maps/index.php
Infoplease: http://www.infoplease.com/atlas/
18DAO Online Reference Service: http://en.18dao.net/Map/Guatemala
Go Currency: http://www.gocurrency.com/countries/guatemala.htm
Bank Notes: http://www.banknotes.com/gt.htm
Classical Journal Phonic Blogspot: http://classicaljourneyphonic.blogspot.com/2011/04/classicaljourney-tuesday-12-april.html
Around Antigua: http://www.aroundantigua.com/antigua
Guatemala on the Web: http://www.guatemalaontheweb.com/index.php
World Weather and Climate Information: http://www.weather-and-climate.com/uploads/averagetemperature-guatemala-gautemala-city-fahrenheit.png
Google Images: http://www.google.com/imghp?hl=en&tab=wi
Summer Institute of Linguistics: http://www.sil.org/mexico/maya/00i-maya.htm
eHow: www.ehow.com/ (Trouble Doll activity contributed by Kristi Roddey)
Youtube: http://youtu.be/QOQbTtti-Wc