A lesson for KS2 exploring the importance of maize to the Maya people - including a detailed lesson plan, Powerpoint and printable activity sheets.
This lesson is part of our popular Maya Topic Lesson Pack for KS2.
 
Lesson: Why was maize so important to the Maya people?
This lesson allows pupils to find out about the importance of maize in Maya culture. Pupils will think about familiar foods made from maize and they will learn about how the importance of maize extended beyond its usefulness as a food staple - also impacting trade, culture and religion. Pupils will design a maize god statue and then evaluate some of the potential consequences of drought in the Maya area in relation to producing maize crops.
 
Objectives:
To explain why maize was so important to the Maya people for food and trade
To explain how maize played an important role in Maya religion and culture
To evaluate the potential consequences of drought in the Maya area