UKS2 Topic Overview: The Maya
Study the fascinating Maya in this vigorously researched topic. Discover where and when the Maya built
their magnificent civilisation as you develop a range of skills across the curriculum. Investigate how they
lived, their culture and their legacy. Compare their lives to your own as you bring your learning together.
Block
Key NC Objectives
Geography, English, Art and History
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Block A
Introduction
to the Maya
[4 sessions]
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Main creative outcomes
Find out when the Maya are
Develop a chronologically secure knowledge and
first recognised by
understanding of world history, establishing clear narratives
archaeologists and when this
within and across the periods they study.
Undertake an in-depth study of a non-European society that society is said to have come to
provides contrasts with British history - The Maya
an end, recognising that there
civilization.
are still living Maya people
Understand how our knowledge of the past is constructed
today. Examine the different
from a range of sources.
Participate in discussions, presentations, performances,
types of evidence that tell us
role-play, improvisations and debates.
about the Maya. Explore the
Assessed the reliability of different sources of evidence.
region of the Maya civilization
Researched the location and environment where the Maya
lived.
in Mesoamerica and create a
Describe and understand key aspects of physical geography,
including: climate zones, biomes and vegetation belts, rivers, Maya corner in the classroom.
mountains, volcanoes and earthquakes, and the water cycle.
Present human and physical features using a range of
methods, including sketch maps, plans and graphs, and
digital technologies.
Use maps, and digital/computer mapping to locate countries
and describe features studied.
Create sketch books to record their observations and use
them to review and revisit ideas.
Improve their mastery of art and design techniques,
including drawing, painting and sculpture with a range of
materials [for example, pencil, charcoal, paint, clay].
History, Geography and D&T
Block B
Farming
[4 sessions]
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Explore the methods of
Undertake an in-depth study of a non-European society that farming practised by the Maya
provides contrasts with British history- The Maya civilization.
and some of the foods they
They should regularly address and sometimes devise
farmed, hunted and gathered.
historically valid questions about change, cause, similarity
and difference, and significance.
Try making and tasting a
Construct informed responses that involve thoughtful
traditional Maya hot
selection and organisation of relevant historical information.
chocolate recipe. Finish off by
Understand seasonality, and know where and how a variety
of ingredients are grown, reared, caught and processed.
creating a model illustrating
Prepare and cook a variety of predominantly savoury dishes
how the Maya produced food
using a range of cooking techniques.
and having a simple Maya
Describe and understand key aspects of human geography,
including: types of settlement and land use, economic
meal.
activity including trade links, and the distribution of natural
resources including energy, food, minerals and water.
Present the human and physical features in the local area
using a range of methods, including sketch maps, plans and
graphs, and digital technologies.
Learned about Maya farming methods.
Made a model of a Maya rainforest clearing, terraces, or
milpa.
Cooked traditional Maya food and hot chocolate.
UKS2 Topic Overview: The Maya
History and Art
Block C
Writing
[3 sessions]
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This amazing civilisation
created writing using
Develop a chronologically secure knowledge and
understanding of world history, establishing clear narratives logograms and hieroglyphs.
within and across the periods they study.
Find out how the writing was
Understand how our knowledge of the past is constructed
used and write and draw
from a range of sources.
Undertake an in-depth study of a non-European society that words including your own
provides contrasts with British history- The Maya civilisation. name. Discover the Copan
Gain an increasing awareness of different kinds of art, craft
stairway and its hieroglyphs
and design.
and marvel at the four main
Improve their mastery of art and design techniques,
including drawing, painting and sculpture with a range of
Maya codices. Finally design,
materials.
paint and make a class or
Use a sketchbook.
school Maya codex on ‘tree
bark’.
History, Maths and D&T
Block D
Maths and
the Calendar
[3 sessions]
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Discover the fascinating maths
and calendar systems of the
Develop a chronologically secure knowledge and
understanding of world history, establishing clear narratives Maya. Learn about the Maya
within and across the periods they study.
numerals, their maths system
Understand how our knowledge of the past is constructed
and the Dresden Codex.
from a range of sources.
Undertake an in-depth study of a non-European society that Represent Maya numbers;
provides contrasts with British history- The Maya civilisation. consider the Maya calendar
Appreciate the beauty and power of mathematics
and compare it to our own
Develop their ability to solve a wider range of problems
system. Make a Maya
including increasingly complex properties of numbers and
arithmetic
calendar, learn about The
Reason mathematically by following a line of enquiry,
Long Count and Maya Tzolkin
conjecturing relationships and generalisations, and
days and go on to draw birth
developing an argument, justification or proof using
mathematical language.
month symbols and form them
Use research and develop design criteria to inform the
out of clay.
design of innovative, functional, appealing products which
are fit for purpose.
History, D&T and PE
Block E
Cities and
Architecture
of the Maya
[3 sessions]
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Study the buildings of this very
early civilisation and
Develop a chronologically secure knowledge and
understanding of world history, establishing clear narratives consolidate your knowledge as
within and across the periods they study.
you make a range of buildings
Understand how our knowledge of the past is constructed
that you put together to make
from a range of sources.
Undertake an in-depth study of a non-European society that a class Maya city. Learn about
provides contrasts with British history- The Maya civilisation. the organisation of Maya
Use research and develop design criteria to inform the
cities, study different kinds of
design of functional products that are fit for purpose.
buildings, and investigate
Generate, develop, model and communicate their ideas
through discussion, annotated sketches and prototypes.
some aspects of daily life.
Select from and use a wider range of tools and equipment to
perform practical tasks accurately.
Select from and use a wider range of materials and
components.
UKS2 Topic Overview: The Maya
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Evaluate their ideas and products against their own design
criteria.
Play competitive games, modified where appropriate and
apply basic principles suitable for attacking and defending.
Take part in outdoor and adventurous activity challenges
both individually and within a team.
History and Geography and D&T
Block F
Trade
[4sessions]
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How did the Maya transport
goods and what did they
Undertake an in-depth study of a non-European society that
provides contrasts with British history- The Maya civilisation. trade? Discover their
They should regularly address and sometimes devise
impressive expertise, the
historically valid questions about change, cause, similarity
logistics and the daunting
and difference, and significance.
geography that they had to
They should construct informed responses that involve
thoughtful selection and organisation of relevant historical
overcome. Find out how they
information.
knew about the wheel, but
They should understand how our knowledge of the past is
didn't use it. Take part in roleconstructed from a range of sources.
Use research and develop design criteria to inform the
play trading games, make
design of innovative, functional, appealing products that are
models and maps.
fit for purpose, aimed at particular individuals or groups.
Generate, develop, model and communicate their ideas
through discussion, annotated sketches, cross-sectional and
exploded diagrams, prototypes, pattern pieces and
computer-aided design.
Select from and use a wider range of tools and equipment to
perform practical tasks [for example, cutting, shaping,
joining and finishing], accurately.
Describe and understand key aspects of physical geography,
including: climate zones, biomes and vegetation belts, rivers,
mountains, volcanoes and earthquakes, and the water cycle.
Describe and understand key aspects of human geography,
including: types of settlement and land use, economic
activity including trade links, and the distribution of natural
resources including energy, food, minerals and water.
Present the human and physical features using a range of
methods, including sketch maps, plans and graphs, and
digital technologies.
History, Computing and English
Block G
Religion
[5 sessions]
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Find out about the legends of
the Maya people. Explore the
Develop a chronologically secure knowledge and
understanding of world history, establishing clear narratives famous creation story of the
within and across the periods they study.
Hero Twins and the Lords of
Understand how our knowledge of the past is constructed
the Underworld. Use a variety
from a range of sources.
Undertake an in-depth study of a non-European society that of software on a range of
provides contrasts with British history- The Maya civilisation. digital devices to create a
They should regularly address and sometimes devise
podcast of the Maya creation
historically valid questions about change, cause, similarity
myth and a stop-motion
and difference, and significance.
Participate in discussions, presentations, performances,
animation. Replicate Maya
role-play, improvisations and debates.
ceremonies and celebrations
Select, use and combine a variety of software (including
and upload these to the class
internet services) on a range of digital devices to design and
create a range of programs, systems and content that
website.
accomplish given goals, including collecting, analysing,
evaluating and presenting data and information
UKS2 Topic Overview: The Maya
History, Science, D&T, Maths and English
Block H
Technology
[4 sessions]
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Undertake an in-depth study of a non-European society
that provides contrasts with British history - The Maya
civilisation.
Construct informed responses that involve thoughtful
selection and organisation of relevant historical
information.
Chn should plan different types of scientific enquiries to
answer questions, report and present findings from
enquiries.
Give reasons, based on evidence from comparative and
fair tests, for the particular uses of everyday materials,
including metals, wood and plastic.
Compare and group together everyday materials on the
basis of their properties, including their hardness,
solubility, transparency, conductivity (electrical and
thermal), and response to magnets.
Generate, develop, model and communicate their ideas
through discussion, annotated sketches, cross-sectional
and exploded diagrams, prototypes, pattern pieces and
computer-aided design.
Select from and use a wider range of tools and
equipment to perform practical tasks [for example,
cutting, shaping, joining and finishing], accurately.
Select from and use a wider range of materials and
components, including construction materials, textiles
and ingredients, according to their functional properties
and aesthetic qualities.
Give well-structured descriptions, explanations and
narratives for different purposes, including for expressing
feelings.
Participate in discussions, presentations, performances,
role play, improvisations and debates.
History, Art, Music and D&T
Block I
Everyday Life
of the Maya
[4 sessions]
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Develop a chronologically secure knowledge and
understanding of world history, establishing clear
narratives within and across the periods they study.
Understand how our knowledge of the past is
constructed from a range of sources.
Undertake an in-depth study of a non-European society
that provides contrasts with British history- The Maya
civilization.
Gain an increasing awareness of different kinds of art,
craft and design.
Improve their mastery of art and design techniques,
including drawing, painting and sculpture with a range of
materials.
Play and perform in solo and ensemble contexts.
Improvise and compose music for a range of purposes.
Appreciate and understand a wide range of high-quality
live and recorded.
Select from and use a wider range of tools and
equipment to perform practical tasks accurately.
Select from and use a wider range of materials and
components.
The tool technology of the Maya
was based on the incredibly
hard minerals jadeite and
obsidian. Learn about how the
Maya made beautiful and
functional objects and their
weaving and pottery skills.
Weave a fabric in the Maya
style and make pots.
Learn about the family
orientated society of the Maya
community in this creative and
practical block. Find out about
the childhood of the Maya and
how skills were passed down
from parents. Learn about the
importance of music to the
Maya and discover foods eaten
by the Maya community.
Research Maya clothing,
headdresses and hairstyles and
go on to discover the modern
culture and struggles of the
Maya people.