UKS2 Topic: The Maya Block H: Technology
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.
Block H: Technology
[6 Sessions]
Main outcome: History
Other outcomes: Science, D&T, Maths and English
By the end of this block you will have 
achieved the following outcomes:
Session 1 History and Science
Materials
Start by thinking about the types of
materials the Maya might have had
available to make objects out of. Make
predictions about which materials would be
used for certain types of objects. Think
about which materials would rot and which
would survive. Plan an experiment to test
what rots and what doesn't.
Session 2 History and Science
Pottery
Find the pottery objects in the collection of
images. Use images of Maya pottery to
design and make replicas from air-drying
clay. Follow the same patterns and images,
and try out some of the same techniques to
make the replicas, like painting, incising and
impressing.
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.
Children will:
 Make deductions about Maya material culture based on historical
knowledge
 Use their knowledge about the properties of materials to decide what
they were used for
 Devise experiments to test hypotheses
Children will:
 Devise an experiment about pottery making techniques
 Make pots using several different handmade techniques
 Decide, based on their experience, which method the Maya used
© Original resource copyright Hamilton Trust, who give permission for it to be adapted as wished by individual users.
The links to the websites and the contents of the web pages associated with such links specified on this list (hereafter collectively referred to as the ‘Links’)
have been checked by Hamilton Trust (being the operating name of the registered charity, William Rowan Hamilton Trust) and to the best of Hamilton
Trust’s knowledge, are correct and accurate at the time of publication. Notwithstanding the foregoing or any other terms and conditions on the Hamilton
Trust website, you acknowledge that Hamilton Trust has no control over such Links and indeed, the owners of such Links may have removed such Links,
changed such Links and/or contents associated with such Links. Therefore, it is your sole responsibility to verify any of the Links which you wish you use.
Hamilton Trust excludes all responsibility and liability for any loss or damage arising from the use of any Links.
UKS2 Topic: The Maya Block H: Technology
Session 3 History and Science
Stone
Find the stone objects in the collection of
images. Think about how Maya people
could have carved stone. Make a scientific
enquiry to try to see how long it would take
to carve a pendant. Carve a replica pendant
out of Pears soap.
Session 4 History and D&T
Weaving
Plan what materials to use to make a
backstrap loom. Try out weaving on a
backstrap loom using the number sequence
they devised.
Session 5 (optional) History and
Science
Firing pottery
Make a pit kiln and fire the dried pots in it,
carrying out the experiment on which
different fabrics the children used survive
the firing.
Session 6 History and English
Maya museum
Make a living history museum showcasing
their new skills and objects they have
already made.
Children will:
 Devise an experiment about making stone objects
 Carry out the experiment
 Make an informed prediction about how long it would have taken the
Maya to do the same
Children will:
 Design a Backstrap loom
 Make a Backstrap loom
 Demonstrate how Maya people used the Backstrap loom
Children will:
 Plan a scientific enquiry
 Predict the results of an experiment
 Explain how Maya people fired their pottery vessels
Children will:
 Explain how the Maya people made some of their objects
 Demonstrate one aspect of Maya technology
 Make a presentation in front of an audience
© Original resource copyright Hamilton Trust, who give permission for it to be adapted as wished by individual users.
The links to the websites and the contents of the web pages associated with such links specified on this list (hereafter collectively referred to as the ‘Links’)
have been checked by Hamilton Trust (being the operating name of the registered charity, William Rowan Hamilton Trust) and to the best of Hamilton
Trust’s knowledge, are correct and accurate at the time of publication. Notwithstanding the foregoing or any other terms and conditions on the Hamilton
Trust website, you acknowledge that Hamilton Trust has no control over such Links and indeed, the owners of such Links may have removed such Links,
changed such Links and/or contents associated with such Links. Therefore, it is your sole responsibility to verify any of the Links which you wish you use.
Hamilton Trust excludes all responsibility and liability for any loss or damage arising from the use of any Links.
UKS2 Topic: The Maya Block H: Technology
Resources
Session 1
Provided: Information sheets covering: What material would you use to make these Maya objects? &
An experiment to test what rots and what doesn't.
You will need: Access to the Internet; Samples of materials, e.g. wood, bone, stone, leather, feathers,
shell, cotton, wool, metal, plastic, clay, bark, rubber; An area of the school grounds to bury materials
in.
Session 2
Provided: Information sheets covering: Maya objects; PowerPoint presentation covering the Timeline
of Maya pottery; Different hand-made pottery techniques; Testing methods of constructing Maya pots;
An experiment to test what temper was used in Maya pots.
You will need: Access to the Internet; Web-enabled devices; Air drying clay, clay tools; Option to use
firing clay and a number of different tempers, e.g. coarse sand, straw, crushed shell, aquarium gravel).
Session 3
Provided: Information sheets covering: Maya objects; Carving a pendant out of soap; How long would
it take to carve a pendant out of jade?
You will need: Access to the Internet; Web-enabled devices; Pears soap (green if you can get it);
Selection of stones.
Session 4
Provided: PowerPoint presentation on Maya weaving and the Backstrap loom; Information sheet
covering How to make and use a Backstrap loom.
You will need: Access to the Internet; Wooden dowels, pencils, cut up old belts or pieces of cloth,
string, yarn, rulers, bits of card.
Session 5 (optional)
Provided:
You will need: Access to the Internet; The pots that were made using different tempers; Digital
camera; Spades, wood, fire-lighting equipment; A patch of grassland that you don't mind digging up
and getting a bit scorched!
Session 6
Provided: Information sheet on How to plan a demonstration and presentation about Maya
technology;
You will need: Raw materials used previously and objects made in earlier sessions; Digital camera or
camera enabled device.
© Original resource copyright Hamilton Trust, who give permission for it to be adapted as wished by individual users.
The links to the websites and the contents of the web pages associated with such links specified on this list (hereafter collectively referred to as the ‘Links’)
have been checked by Hamilton Trust (being the operating name of the registered charity, William Rowan Hamilton Trust) and to the best of Hamilton
Trust’s knowledge, are correct and accurate at the time of publication. Notwithstanding the foregoing or any other terms and conditions on the Hamilton
Trust website, you acknowledge that Hamilton Trust has no control over such Links and indeed, the owners of such Links may have removed such Links,
changed such Links and/or contents associated with such Links. Therefore, it is your sole responsibility to verify any of the Links which you wish you use.
Hamilton Trust excludes all responsibility and liability for any loss or damage arising from the use of any Links.