McGraw-Hill Social Studies Return to Adventures in
Time and Place
Adventures in Time and Place Grade 6 book Web-Linked Lesson Plans
 
Make a Maya Math Problem
 
Connection to Adventures in Time and Place
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    		• Grade 6
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    		• Unit 3: New Ideas and New Empires
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    		• Chapter 11: Ancient America
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    		• Lesson 3: Maya Civilization
     
    Web Link Description
    Maya Mathematics, accessible fromThe Maya Astronomy Page, offers an explanation of the Maya numerical system. The contents of this Web site are based on a lecture by Dawn Jenkins given to the Cuyahoga Astronomical Association. Michiel Berger contributed information and graphics.

     
    Student Objectives
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    		• to make up a math problem using Maya notation
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    		• to write basic Maya symbols for numbers
     
    Before Online Activity
    Show students ways to represent the number 5. On the chalkboard, write a "5," five tally marks with the fifth one drawn diagonally, and the symbol "V" for the Roman numeral. If you are using Adventures in Time and Place, have students recall what they learned about Maya math on page 302. Tell them that they will see Maya math symbols and learn how to add using Maya math.

     
    Online Activity
    The Maya Astronomy Page
    URL: http://www.astro.uva.nl/michielb/maya/astro.html

    Distribute project sheets to students. At the Maya Mathematics site, help students understand that Maya math is based on powers of 20, just as our number system is based on powers of 10. For example, in our number system, we read numbers from left to right. The number 23 means 2x10 plus 3x1. In Maya math, squares that show the number symbols are read top to bottom. The number 23 is represented by a symbol for 1x20 and a symbol for 3x1. The symbol for 1 (one dot) will be in the top square and the symbol for 3 (three dots) will be in the bottom square.

    The number for 30 (the number of days in September) will be written by the symbol for 1 (one dot) for 1x20 in the top square and the symbol for 10 (two bars) for 1x10 in the bottom square.

    Have students work in pairs to complete their project sheets.

     
    Student Project Sheet
    Print the online student project sheet to create a blackline master. For best results, be sure that your browser's font size has been set to "12" and that your browser has been set to print in "portrait mode."
     
    Sharing the Project
    Have students write their math problems using Maya symbols on separate sheets of paper. Have groups exchange papers to solve each other's problems.
     
    Assessment Idea
    Ask students to explain what the bar means in Maya symbols. Ask them to select any number under 20 and explain the Maya symbol for it.
     
    Home Connection
    Suggest that students explain to their family members how to represent the current date using Maya math symbols.