History- ancient Maya (Upper KS2) Lesson 1 BUNDLE

**This lesson introduces a non-European society that provides contrasts with British history - the ancient Maya civilization. **

Included in the bundle:
-Lesson Slides
-Student Reader
-Source Pack

This is Lesson 1 of a series of four, knowledge-rich curriculum lessons.

Each lesson combines an accessible student reader with high-quality historical sources, explicit vocabulary instruction and regular retrieval opportunities.

Activities encourage pupils to think like historians: examining evidence, making inferences, asking questions and connecting new learning to prior knowledge.

Lesson 1 introduces the following key knowledge:

-The Maya thrived between 200 CE and 900 CE, then their civilization fell into decline.

-No one really knows the reason for this.

-It is not true to say they disappeared- Maya people still exist today.

-The ancient Maya built huge city-states across the Yucatan peninsula and beyond.

-3 famous city states include Tikal, Copan and Palenque.

-Researchers, explorers and archaeologists have documented the ruins of the city states since the 1800s.

-Reaching some sites was fraught with danger and difficulty, mainly because of inhospitable conditions in the rainforest and a lack of supply lines.

-John Lloyd Stephens and Frederick Catherwood published a book about their expedition which became very popular and brought ancient Maya culture to an international audience.