Explainer Video for MESSAGES from the MAYALesson 2.1 “Collapse of a Civilization”

Explainer Video for MESSAGES from the MAYA
Lesson 2.1 “Collapse of a Civilization”

Unit Driving Question: How can we better understand, respect, and protect Indigenous peoples and their cultures?

Module Driving Question: How do the cultural characteristics of the ancient Maya continue today?

Learning Target: I can analyze informational texts for reasons and evidence surrounding the collapse of the ancient Maya civilization.

Purpose: In this lesson, you will analyze the evidence for the different theories that archaeologists have come up with for why the Maya civilization collapsed. First, you will read a short secondary source that gives you background on a Maya city and what archaeologists think led to its collapse. Then, you will share what you learned with your peers in order to complete a summary table, which presents factors that contributed to or caused the collapse of eight cities. Finally, you will look for patterns in the summary table that could help you explain what caused the collapse of the ancient Maya civilization.

Three Lesson Steps:
1. Consider the causes for collapse: Think back to what you’ve learned about other civilizations and identify some reasons why civilizations decline.
2. Investigate the possible causes of collapse of ancient Maya cities: Learn about the causes of collapse of eight Maya cities by reading one secondary source text for evidence and theories from archaeologists. Record your evidence and theories in the Collapse Organizer.
3. Identify the reasons for collapse: Discuss and deliberate the evidence and theories to come up with an explanation for the collapse of the ancient Maya civilization.

Eight Secondary Source Texts:
1. Collapse at Caracol
2. Collapse at Chichén Itzá
3. Collapse at Copán
4. Collapse at El Mirador
5. Collapse at Tulum
6. Collapse at Tik’al
7. Collapse at Uxmal
8. Collapse at Vista Alegre

Видео Explainer Video for MESSAGES from the MAYALesson 2.1 “Collapse of a Civilization” канала Tandi Hornsby [Johnston MS]