Hieroglyph stairways and emblems

Topics Year 4/5
This unit is part of Maya Writing

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Objectives

History

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 civilisation.

Art

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.

Lesson Planning

Discover the Copan stairway and its hieroglyphs; make a class hieroglyph stairway and design a class or school emblem glyph.

Teaching Outcomes:

To learn about the Copan stairway and discuss the hieroglyphs on it.
To design a class or school emblem glyph and consider significant hieroglyphs.

Children will:

Gain insight into the Copan stairway and look at the hieroglyphs contained on it.
Discuss the significance of the Copan stairway and the meaning of dynasty.
Make a class hieroglyph stairway and design a class or school emblem glyph.

Planning

Provided Resources

The Copan stairway
Maya emblem glyphs

Unit Resources

You Will Need

Maya syllable charts from session 1
Boxes of a similar size to fit together in a stairway
Brown sugar paper and sticky tape
Black marker pens

Weblinks

Mystic music of the Maya – YouTube clip
Background information on Maya codices from mayacodices.org
Detailed information on Maya writing from ancientscripts.com
Information about the Copan stairway from atlasobscura.com