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Mayan Numbers and Calendar

Early American Civilizations: The Maya

Day 74of 180
Week 15of 36
30Minutes
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🖨️ Download Worksheet (PDF)
🎯 What You'll Learn

Learning Objectives

1

Understand the Mayan base-20 number system

2

Learn how the Mayan calendar worked

3

Practice basic Mayan mathematical concepts

📖 Scripture Connection

Ecclesiastes 3:1

“For everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under heaven.”

— Ecclesiastes 3:1 (WEB)

Just as God created order in time, the Maya carefully tracked time through their sophisticated calendar system

📦 Materials Needed

  • Mayan number system worksheet
  • Pencils
  • Colored pencils
  • Large poster of Mayan calendar
📚 Step-by-Step

Lesson Plan

1Opening (5 min)

Gather students and show a poster of the Mayan calendar. Ask students what they know about how people track time.

💭 Review Question: How do we know what day it is today?
2Teaching (10 min)

The Maya were incredible mathematicians who developed a complex number system different from ours. They used base-20 counting and had special symbols for numbers.

📌 Key Talking Points:
  • Mayan numbers used dots and lines
  • They could calculate complex astronomical events
  • Their calendar was more accurate than European calendars of the time
💬 Discussion Questions:
  • Why might tracking time be important?
  • How is our calendar similar or different from the Mayan calendar?
3Activity: Mayan Number Practice (10 min)
worksheet

Students will practice writing numbers using Mayan symbols and solve simple addition problems

📝 Instructions:
  1. Review Mayan number symbols
  2. Practice writing numbers 1-20
  3. Complete worksheet with Mayan number additions
🔄 Variations:

Simpler: Focus on numbers 1-10

Challenge: Create word problems using Mayan number system

4Closing (5 min)

Review what we learned about Mayan mathematics and time-keeping

📝 Review Questions:
  • What makes the Mayan number system unique?
  • Why is understanding different ways of counting important?
🙏 Prayer:

Dear God, thank you for helping us learn about the amazing ways you've helped different cultures understand the world.

Coming up: Tomorrow we'll learn about Mayan daily life and culture

💎 Memory Verse

Psalm 90:12

“So teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.”

— Psalm 90:12 (WEB)

🎯 Activity: Count numbers in Mayan symbols

👨‍👩‍👧 For Parents

Teaching Notes

📚 Background:

The Maya had an advanced understanding of mathematics and astronomy, developing complex systems of tracking time.

💡 Teaching Tips:
  • Help child understand that different cultures have different ways of solving problems
  • Encourage curiosity about mathematical systems
🤔 Common Struggles:

Children might find the base-20 system confusing compared to our base-10 system

👀 Signs of Understanding:

Understanding of basic Mayan number symbols and willingness to try new mathematical concepts

🚀 Want More?

Extension Activities

  • Create a Mayan-style calendar at home
  • Watch a child-friendly documentary about Mayan mathematics
  • Draw Mayan number symbols in creative ways

Ready for Tomorrow?

Great job completing today's lesson!

Continue to Day 75 →Back to History & Social Studies