https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xqhUO2D9Pqc
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Discuss the following questions
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Have you been to the Maya Riviera? Would you like to?
What would you consider a civilization?
What do you know about the Maya?
What makes a civilization great?
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Useful Language for your replies
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“If I had the money, I would like to…” “I believe a civilization must consist of the following characteristics…” ”I’m not an expert, but I think they were…”
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Read the following article
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The story of the Maya began around 2600 B.C.E. (Before Common Era) in the Yucatán Peninsula, a place of lush vegetation and abundant wildlife. This was a society that, over the centuries, would grow into one of the most impressive civilizations in the pre-Columbian Americas.
The Maya were extraordinary in many facets of life, but were especially known for their advanced understanding of mathematics and astronomy. They developed a complex calendar system that tracked celestial patterns with remarkable precision, and their hieroglyphic writing system was one of the most sophisticated in the ancient /ein-shent/ world.
Architecturally, the Maya were master builders. They constructed breathtaking temples and pyramids, many of which still stand in Central America today. These structures /strak-churs/ served as places of worship /wor-ship/ (culto), community gatherings, and as astronomical observatories /obsérvatris/
The Maya was sprawling and diverse, extending across what is now Guatemala, Belize, and parts of Mexico, Honduras, and El Salvador. Despite their geographical reach, the Maya maintained a sense of unity through their shared spiritual beliefs. They were deeply religious and expressed their spirituality through intricate ceremonial carvings and rituals.
But nothing lasts forever. Around 900 C.E. , the Maya began to decline. The reasons for this decline are still debated among historians. Some theories suggest that overpopulation and over-farming led to the depletion /deplishon/ ****of natural resources. Others point to warfare, disease, and climate change as possible causes.
Despite the fall of their cities and the abandonment of their grand structures, the Maya didn't disappear. Descendants of the Maya people continue to exist today and keep their traditions alive. They carry with them the memory of their ancestors' ingenuity and creativity, a testament to a civilization that once was and that continues to inspire us today.
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Lush: Very rich and providing great sensory pleasure (as from color, freshness, or variety). Example: He gazed out on a lush, green landscape. Spanish translation: exuberante
Facets: Aspects, or features. Example: The many facets of this problem require careful attention. Spanish translation: facetas
Tracked: Followed or monitored closely. Example: The satellite tracked the weather patterns for several days. Spanish translation: rastreado
Hieroglyphic: Writing system that uses pictures or symbols instead of words or sounds. Example: Ancient Egyptians used hieroglyphics to communicate. Spanish translation: jeroglífico
Worship: The act of showing respect and love for a god. Example: The tribe's worship of the gods included ritual dances and sacrifices. Spanish translation: adoración
Sprawling: Spreading out over a large area in an untidy or irregular way. Example: The sprawling city is full of skyscrapers. Spanish translation: expansivo
Intricate: Having many complexly interrelating parts or elements. Example: The intricate design of the rug is a testament to the weaver's skill. Spanish translation: intrincado
Carvings: Objects or designs cut from a hard material. Example: He made carvings of animals from pieces of wood. Spanish translation: tallados
Depletion: The act of using up a resource. Example: The depletion of the ozone layer is a cause for concern. Spanish translation: agotamiento
Carry: To continue to advance. Example: The team will carry on with their original plan despite the setback. Spanish translation: llevar
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Watch the following video
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ulHWR0Dp6Rk
Read the full video script here
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Did you understand what you watched in the video? Let’s find out! Answer the following questions:
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Fill in the gaps of this summary with the words in the box
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lasting, displaced, from, growth, as, staple, into, to, and, bedrock, after, reflected, on, of, never, later
In 889 CE, during a significant calendrical celebration, Lord K’ak’ Upakal observed the thriving Maya city of Chichen Itza, unaware ___ the forthcoming crises. Previously, warfare and agricultural failure had ___ the Maya, leading ___ the growth of cities like Chichen Itza in the Yucatan. Its freshwater supply, revealed through sinkholes in the collapsed ___, helped Chichen Itza survive a drought /draut/ in the early 900s, becoming the most powerful Maya city.
Following K’ak’ Upakal’s death, Chichen Itza’s governance shifted ___ a single king to include ruling councils of the city’s elite, focusing on economic ___ and long-distance trade. They traded various goods, using cacao beans ___ currency, and seafood from the coast supplemented the city’s ___ crops.
Chichen Itza’s survival relied heavily ___ farming, ___ in the city’s architecture and religious practices. K’uk’ulkan, the feathered serpent god, became central to the city’s religious practices, transforming it ___ a pilgrimage center. Around 1020 CE, an intense drought hit, ___ nearly a century. Despite Chichen Itza’s natural advantages and its people's efforts, the city couldn’t sustain through the drought /draut/.
The population decreased drastically during the 11th century, ___ many resettled on the coast. ___ the drought, the new city of Mayapan replaced Chichen Itza as Yucatan’s principal city. However, Chichen Itza was ___ completely abandoned; it remained a small local capital of a Maya province when the Spanish arrived centuries ___, with its original name and ancient stone constructions preserved.
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Discuss the following questions
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Useful Language:
Writing: What factors may contribute to the fall of great civilizations?
(Some of the greatest civilizations throughout history include the Ancient Greek civilization, the Roman Empire, the Mayan Empire, the Persian Empire, the Chinese Empire, the Ottoman Empire, the Mongol Empire, the British Empire, and the Spanish Empire)
Sample Answer & Essay Guidelines
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