Unwrap the Mayan Mystery: Unveiling the Dark & Divine History of Chocolate

Dive into the rich history and captivating cultural significance of chocolate in the Mayan world!

This engaging reading comprehension worksheet explores the fascinating journey of chocolate from its origins as a bitter ritual drink to a symbol of power and currency. Through captivating text, thought-provoking questions, and a primary source analysis, students will discover the unique role chocolate played in Mayan society, rituals, and even the afterlife!

What's Inside:

• Immersive reading passage: Unravels the Mayan story of chocolate, from its origins as a sacred "food of the gods" to its use in rituals, weddings, and burials.
• 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 extract from the Dresden Codex, strengthening historical understanding and source evaluation skills.
• Comprehensive answer key: Save time and ensure accuracy with a detailed answer key for all questions.

Learning Objectives:

• Explore the origins and early consumption of chocolate by the Maya.
• Understand the significance of chocolate in Mayan rituals and ceremonies.
• Analyze how chocolate functioned as a symbol of power and currency.
• Appreciate the enduring legacy of Mayan chocolate in modern-day 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 andimplicitly.
• 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.