KS2 Maya - Civilisation

Take your class on an immersive outdoor journey through the ancient Maya civilisation, where pupils step into the roles of explorers and archaeologists to uncover the secrets of their social hierarchy and historical timeline. Through collaborative, hands-on enquiry, children will investigate how the diverse Mesoamerican landscape shaped daily life, empowering them to master the art of historical reasoning by planning and justifying their own successful ancient settlements

Lesson Plans

Learning about the Maya civilisation

Ignite your pupils’ curiosity as they step into the shoes of archaeologists to uncover the mysteries of the Maya civilisation through historical enquiry. This engaging outdoor lesson provides everything needed to help your class master the art of interpreting evidence and asking thoughtful questions about the past.

Learning objective:

To understand and explain how historians learn about the Maya civilisation.

Hierarchy in Maya society

Investigate the rigid social structures and daily lives of the ancient Maya civilisation through collaborative, hands-on enquiry, including all the resources and support materials you need to help your pupils master the art of historical reasoning and status-based hierarchy through discussion and challenges.

Learning objective:

To understand the significance of the hierarchy in Maya society and how this influenced daily life.

Understanding the timeline of the Maya civilisation

Help pupils visualise the vast timeline and development of the Maya civilisation through collaborative, hands-on enquiry. This practical session uses your outdoor environment to ground historical concepts, allowing children to compare different eras and build a tangible understanding of how this ancient society evolved over time.

Learning objective:

To understand the timeline and development of the Maya civilisation.

Understanding the geography of the Maya civilisation

Take your pupils outside to explore how the diverse geography of Mesoamerica directly shaped the survival and daily lives of the Maya civilisation. This practical lesson uses hands-on mapping and collaborative planning to help children understand the vital link between natural landscapes and successful ancient settlements.

Learning objective:

To understand the geography of a Maya civilisation and how it affected daily life.

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