Maya

Today we finished our studies on the Mayans!  Students took notes on a couple of powerpoint slides, which they will be able to use on their open-note quizzes.  Then we watched a gruesome video on the Mayan sacrifices....which middle schoolers love!  Students were then given a handout that had artifact photos of the Mayans in which they were to analyze the artifacts as archaeologists do today.  They were to answer several questions based on their observations and turn their worksheet in today as an in-class assignment!  We then ended class with a cup of homemade Mayan Hot Chocolate!  Ingredients included cocoa powder, hot peppers, and cinnamon sticks....I only wish you could have seen their faces after trying this mixture!! We had a blast!

I won't be there tomorrow, as I am off to a training, but my student teacher Ms. Whitney Smith will be taking over.  She will be covering the last Mesoamerican group, the Aztecs, with a few powerpoint slides, a simulation of the mesoamerican ballgame, and a video with a video guide to complete during its viewing.  We will have an open-note quiz on Monday over the Mesoamericans (Inca, Aztec, Maya) and will finish the video and video guide covering Hernan Cortes.  Students will be turning in their guides after the completion of the video.  I will be back with an update on Monday,.....until then,....Have a GREAT WEEKEND!  :D