Unveiling the Mayan Cosmos: Journey Through Starlight & Sacred Geometry

Explore the dazzling world of Mayan astronomy! This engaging reading comprehension worksheet delves into the Maya's deep connection to the cosmos, revealing their sophisticated observations, symbolic architecture, and cyclical calendars. Dive into captivating text, thought-provoking questions, and a primary source analysis, uncovering the mysteries of the night sky as seen by the Maya.

What's Inside:

• Immersive reading passage: Transports students to ancient Mayan cities, exploring their innovative observatories, celestial alignments, and timekeeping systems.
• Diverse question types: Multiple choice, true/false, fill-in-the-blank, and short answer questions assess comprehension, analysis, and critical thinking skills.
• Primary source analysis: Decipher an excerpt from the Dresden Codex, strengthening historical understanding and source evaluation skills.
• Visual connections: Imagine pyramids mirroring constellations, doorways aligned with celestial bodies, and intricate calendars charting cosmic cycles.
• Comprehensive answer key: Save time and ensure accuracy with a detailed answer key for all questions.

Learning Objectives:

• Understand the Maya's advanced observational techniques for studying the night sky.
• Explore how astronomical knowledge influenced Mayan architecture and its symbolic meanings.
• Analyze the functions and complexities of the Mayan Haab' and Tzolkin calendars.
• Appreciate the interconnectedness of the heavens and earth in Mayan beliefs and practices.
• Develop critical reading, comprehension, and analytical thinking skills.

Common Core Standards Addressed:

• RI.4.1, RI.5.1, RI.6.1: Read closely and determine what the text says explicitly and implicitly.
• RI.4.2, RI.5.2, RI.6.2: Determine central ideas or themes of a text and analyze their development.
• RI.4.3, RI.5.3, RI.6.3: Analyze how and why authors use evidence to support their claims.
• RI.4.7, RI.5.7, RI.6.7: Integrate and evaluate multiple sources of information.
• WHST.4.2, WHST.5.2, WHST.6.2: Write informative/explanatory texts to examine and convey complex ideas and information.