Maya calendar: The Long Count and Tzolkin Days

Topics Year 4/5
This unit is part of Maya Maths and the Calendar

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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 civilization.

Design and Technology

Use research and develop design criteria to inform the design of innovative, functional, appealing products which are fit for purpose.

Lesson Planning

Learn about The Long Count and Maya Tzolkin days; draw birth month symbols and form them out of clay.

Teaching Outcomes:

To understand what is meant by The Long Count and Maya Tzolkin Days.
To draw Month symbols and form out of clay.

Children will:

Consider the Maya calendar and its features and compare to our own calendar system.
Understand what is meant by The Long Count and Maya Tzolkin Days.
Learn about the significance of that month for the Maya.
Draw month symbols and form them out of clay.

Planning

Provided Resources

Good things to do on Tzolkin Days
How to make a birth month glyph

Unit Resources

You Will Need

A bag
Air-drying clay
Clay tools
Rolling pin
Knife
Clay board

Weblinks

'Living Maya time' Smithsonian website from maya.nmai.si.edu
The meaning of calendar hieroglyphs from maya.nmai.si.edu
The Maya calendar from historyonthenet.com
Animation of the Maya calendar cogs - YouTube clip
The long count from maya-portal.net
Date converter into Maya glyphs from maya.nmai.si.edu