Voices of the Past: Exploring Change and Continuity · 6th Class · World War II: A Global Conflict · Summer Term

Maya Writing System and Stelae

Study the Maya hieroglyphic writing system, its decipherment, and the information conveyed on stelae and codices.

• NCCA Curriculum Specifications
• NCCA: Primary - Early People and Ancient Societies
• NCCA: Primary - Social, Cultural and Technological Change

About This Topic

This topic explores the conclusion of World War II and the immediate shifts in global power that followed. Students examine the liberation of concentration camps, the fall of Berlin, and the impact of the atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. This connects to NCCA strands for 'Eras of Change and Conflict' and 'Continuity and Change Over Time,' as it marks the transition from a world at war to the 'Cold War' era.

Students investigate the formation of the United Nations and the redrawing of the map of Europe. This period is vital for understanding the modern world order. Active learning strategies, such as collaborative mapping or role-playing the early UN debates, help students grasp how the lessons of the war led to new international systems designed to prevent future global conflicts.

Key Questions

1. Analyze the complexity and structure of the Maya hieroglyphic writing system.
2. Explain how the decipherment of Maya glyphs unlocked knowledge about their history.
3. Evaluate the importance of stelae and codices as historical records.

Learning Objectives

• Analyze the structure and components of Maya hieroglyphic writing.
• Explain how the decipherment of Maya glyphs provided insights into their history and culture.
• Evaluate the significance of stelae and codices as primary sources for understanding Maya civilization.
• Compare the information conveyed by Maya stelae with that found in Maya codices.

Before You Start

Introduction to Ancient Civilizations

Why: Students need a foundational understanding of what constitutes an ancient civilization before exploring specific aspects like Maya writing.

Basics of Written Communication

Why: Familiarity with the concept of writing systems and how they convey information is necessary to understand hieroglyphs.

Key Vocabulary

Hieroglyph	A system of writing that uses pictorial symbols, where each symbol represents a word, syllable, or sound. Maya hieroglyphs are complex and combine logographic and syllabic elements.
Stela	An upright stone slab or monument, often inscribed with hieroglyphs and carvings. Maya stelae typically recorded historical events, royal lineages, and religious ceremonies.
Codex	An ancient manuscript text, often made of bark paper or deerskin, folded like a screen. Maya codices contain astronomical data, prophecies, and ritualistic information.
Logogram	A written character that represents a word or morpheme. In Maya writing, logograms often depict the object they represent or a related concept.
Syllabary	A set of written symbols that represent syllables. Maya scribes used syllabic glyphs to spell out words phonetically, often in combination with logograms.

Watch Out for These Misconceptions

Common Misconception

The war ended everywhere on the same day.

What to Teach Instead

The war in Europe ended in May 1945 (VE Day), but it continued in the Pacific until August 1945 (VJ Day). A 'global timeline' activity can help students see the different stages of the war's conclusion across the world.

Common Misconception

The United Nations was the first attempt at world peace.

What to Teach Instead

The League of Nations was created after WWI but failed to prevent WWII. Comparing the two organizations through a 'lessons learned' discussion helps students understand why the UN was designed differently to be more effective.

Active Learning Ideas

Collaborative Mapping: A New Europe

In small groups, students compare maps of Europe from 1939 and 1945. They identify which countries changed borders or were divided (like Germany) and discuss how these new lines might lead to future tensions, introducing the concept of the 'Iron Curtain'.

40 min·Small Groups

Simulation Game: The First UN Assembly

Students are assigned to represent different countries in 1945. They must work together to draft three 'Universal Rules' for keeping world peace, experiencing the challenges of negotiation and the need for international cooperation.

50 min·Whole Class

Think-Pair-Share: The Atomic Age

After looking at images of the aftermath of the atomic bomb, students reflect on the ethical dilemma faced by leaders. They discuss with a partner whether they think the use of such a weapon changed the way countries interact forever.

30 min·Pairs

Real-World Connections

• Archaeologists and epigraphers, such as those at the Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology, use their knowledge of Maya writing to translate inscriptions on artifacts, helping us understand ancient Maya society and beliefs.
• Museums worldwide, like the British Museum, display Maya stelae and codices, allowing the public to see these historical records and learn about the achievements of this ancient civilization.

Assessment Ideas

Exit Ticket

Provide students with a simplified Maya glyph chart. Ask them to write one sentence explaining the difference between a logogram and a syllabary, and then use the chart to 'write' their first name using Maya symbols.

Quick Check

Show students images of a Maya stela and a page from a Maya codex. Ask them to list two distinct pieces of information they might find on each artifact and explain why they are different types of historical records.

Discussion Prompt

Pose the question: 'How did the decipherment of Maya writing change our understanding of this civilization?' Facilitate a class discussion, encouraging students to reference specific examples of information learned from stelae and codices.

Frequently Asked Questions

What was the purpose of the United Nations?

The United Nations (UN) was founded in 1945 with the primary goal of preventing another world war. It was designed to be a place where countries could talk through their problems instead of fighting. It also aimed to protect human rights, provide humanitarian aid, and promote international law and social progress across the globe.

How was Germany divided after the war?

After the war, Germany was divided into four occupation zones, controlled by the US, Britain, France, and the Soviet Union. The capital, Berlin, was also divided into four sectors. This division eventually led to the creation of West Germany and East Germany, becoming a central flashpoint for the Cold War between the West and the Soviet Union.

What were the Nuremberg Trials?

The Nuremberg Trials were a series of military tribunals held by the Allied forces after the war. They were significant because they were the first time in history that leaders were held legally responsible for 'crimes against humanity' and 'war crimes.' The trials established the principle that 'just following orders' is not a valid defense for committing atrocities.

How can active learning help students understand the aftermath of the war?

Active learning, such as the UN simulation or map-making, helps students see the aftermath of the war as a period of active reconstruction rather than just an end to fighting. By 'participating' in the creation of new international rules or borders, students understand the complexity of building a lasting peace and the difficult trade-offs involved in global diplomacy.