This is a lesson plan for the multicultural learning of science. The aim of the plan is to utilize the legend of the Mayans to depict to the students the way science evolved through the ages. The paper is directed towards students of fourth standard.
Performance Objective
The aim of the lesson is to enhance the ability of the students to inculcate inferential learning, derivation of information from their readings, and inculcate their oral and written skills.
Essential Questions
- How science evolved into its present forms?
- How science was practices in ancient times?
- What we know about the scientific knowledge of ancient civilizations like the Mayans?’
NYS Standards
This lesson will show the students the historical development of science as described in the NYS standard four.
Key Ideas
- The first idea described is the Earth and the celestial phenomenon of the planets.
- The three main elements of Earth viz. air, water, and land are described.
Key Skills
The key skills required for the lesson is a clear idea of how the Mayan culture and their knowledge of science can be used as a taxonomy for students to understand how science existed in ancient times.
Materials
The first thing that has to be done is to make a knowledge chart that forms into three columns. In the first column, the students enter their knowledge about the Mayans. The second will record what the students know about the Mayans and the third column shows what the students learnt during the course of the lesson.
The second material required for the study would be a world map to demonstrate where the students are and where the Mayans lived. The third material required for the class are books and literature on myths pertaining to the Mayan culture. The fourth material would be materials to develop a scrapbook that will help the students to do a project on the Mayans.
The books that are to be read for the class are Mayan and Aztec Mythology by Jim Ollhoff and Maya and Aztec Mythology Rocks! by Michael A. Schuman . The other book that will be used for the study is Three Gold Pieces .
Introduction to the Lesson
The knowledge table should be made in the first class. This will help to ascertain what the students actually know of the Mayans and what has to be taught to them. Further, this will also help the instructor to learn what the students would like to learn about the myths and legends.
What aspect the children are more interested to learn can be gauged through this exercise. The first lesson should also incorporate the world map, which would give a clear idea to the students about the whereabouts of the Mayan civilization vis-à-vis their country.
Instructional Activity
The second lesson should be about reading the Mayan myths. The main aim of the class would be study Mayan folk tales and myths that gave a glimpse into the great Mayan culture and civilization. The myths related to the creation of the moon or any other morality tale can be recounted to demonstrate how the Mayans lived.
The third day would be a discussion on the Gods of the Mayans. This would provide a glimpse into the Mayan religion to the students. A documentary about the Mayans will be shown to the students.
This lesson is a study into the scientific developments that the Mayans underwent. This will further into a discussion of the Mayan economic developments, and government’s structure followed in the ancient civilization. This lesson will also have a discussion on the Mayan art, culture, and social life.
Application
The last day of the lesson will be a day of making projects for the students. They will have to adopt a specific aspect about the Mayans and make a small presentation about it in class. This will also have to write an essay on the specific area.
Bibliography
Aliki. Three Gold Pieces. New York: Harper Trophy, 1967. Print.
Ollhoff, Jim. Mayan and Aztec Mythology. Edina, MN: ABDO, 2012. Print.
Schuman, Michael A. Maya and Aztec Mythology Rocks! Guangdong, China: Enslow Publishers, Inc., 2012. Print.