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Procedures for Teachers is divided
into two sections:
Prep -- Preparing for the Lesson.
Steps -- Conducting the Lesson.
Materials: - Reference materials (print, CD-ROMs,
Web sites, etc.) that pertain to Mayan culture.
- Videotape of SPIRITS OF
THE JAGUAR. To get a copy of the video, contact: WNET Video Distribution, P.O.
Box 2284, South Burlington, VT 05407-2284, (800) 336-1917. (optional)
Computer Resources:
You will need at least one computer with Internet access to complete this lesson.
While many configurations will work, we recommend:
-- Modem: 28.8 Kbps
or faster.
-- Browser: Netscape Navigator 3.0 or above or Internet Explorer
3.0 or above.
-- Macintosh computer: System 7.0 or above and at least 16 MB
of RAM.
-- IBM-compatible computer: 386 or higher processor with at least 16
MB of RAM, running Windows 3.1. Or, a 486/66 or Pentium with at least 16 MB of
RAM, running Windows 95.
Additional Software: PowerPoint (as of October
1998, only available for the PC). Although PowerPoint is highlighted in this
lesson, you could use other programs with slide show features, such as
ClarisWorks, Microsoft Word, and Kid Pix.
For more information, visit What You Need to Get Connected in
wNetSchool's Internet Primer.
Bookmarks:
The following sites should be bookmarked:
 SPIRITS OF THE JAGUAR --
Introduction
http://www.thirteen.org/nature/spirits/html/body_intro.html
The Web companion piece to the NATURE series SPIRITS OF THE JAGUAR.
SPIRITS OF
THE JAGUAR --
Resources
http://www.thirteen.org/nature/spirits/html/resc.html
A
listing of resources relating to the NATURE series SPIRITS OF THE JAGUAR.
The Maya
Astronomy Page
http://www.astro.uva.nl/michielb/maya/astro.html
This site contains information about the Mayan calendar, mathematics, writing,
and astronomy. It also lists related links.
Maya
Adventure
http://www.sci.mus.mn.us/sln/ma
This site contains
photos and information related to past and present-day Mayan culture.
People of the
Jaguar
http://www.civilization.ca/membrs/civiliz/maya/mmj01eng.html
This site gives a brief overview of the Mayan civilization, has a Mayan glossary,
and displays pictures of Mayan works of art.
Encarta Online -- Maya
http://encarta.msn.com/find/concise/
default.asp?vs=x97&la=na&ty=1&vo=32&ti=06036000&pq=inmaya
This
encyclopedic entry gives a comprehensive description of Mayan culture.
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There are three lessons in People of the
Jaguar:
Lesson I: Introducing the Project and
Familiarizing Students with Mayan Culture (3-4 class periods).
Lesson II: Learning to Create a PowerPoint Presentation (1
class period).
Lesson III: Producing the
Project (3-4 class periods). |
Lesson I: Introducing the Project
and Familiarizing Students with Mayan Culture (3-4 class periods). |
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Introduce the steps of the project. Conduct a preliminary lesson on Mayan
culture and history. If possible, play video segments from SPIRITS OF THE
JAGUAR.
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Tell students that they will study Mayan culture
and identify a Mayan contribution to our culture today (e.g., basketball,
astronomy, mathematics). Students should define "culture." Have them brainstorm
about the elements that form a culture (customs, religion, economic modes, etc.).
List the students' responses on the blackboard or on a flip chart.
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Divide students into collaborative groups. Each
group will choose an aspect of culture identified in the brainstorm. They will
investigate a Mayan aspect of this cultural component. As part of their research,
students should examine how modern culture has been influenced by Mayan culture.
Students should find specific examples of Mayan cultural components that are
evident in our society today. Have students consider the similarities and
differences between inventions of the ancient Maya and our modern culture. If
students are unable to find a link between their chosen Mayan and modern cultural
components, they should examine how Mayan culture differs from modern society.
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Students will use online and print resources to
research their topic. Distribute the Student
Pathway, in Organizers for Students. They should use the listed sites to
help them with their research.
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Students will design a
PowerPoint presentation to demonstrate their findings. They should not just copy
what they found in other resources. They should use PowerPoint to creatively
demonstrate, in a unique manner, the material they found. Before they begin the
actual production of their project, they will have to make a storyboard of their
ideas.
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Homework and class activity: Students should
research their topic using books, CD-ROMs, magazines, encyclopedias, and Web
sites.
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Lesson II: Learning to Create a
PowerPoint Presentation (1 class period). |
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Use the PowerPoint Overview to give a tutorial on how to create a
PowerPoint presentation.
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Lesson III: Producing the Project
(3-4 class periods). |
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Students must complete the Assignment Sheet and Storyboard, in Organizers for Students. Students must have
their storyboard approved by the teacher before commencing work. Then they can
create their PowerPoint Presentation.
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Submit a Comment: We invite
your comments and suggestions based on how you used the lesson in your classroom.
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