KS2 History Lesson Plan: A Non-European Society – Mayan Civilisation c. AD 900

1. Lesson Overview
- Year group: KS2 (Year 4/5/6)
- Duration: 60 minutes
- Topic: A non-European society that contrasts with British history
- Focus example: Mayan civilisation c. AD 900 (you can adapt to early Islamic Baghdad or Benin)

2. Learning Objectives
By the end of the lesson, pupils will:
- Know that the Mayan civilisation existed in Central America around c. AD 900.
- Locate the Mayan region on a world map and place it on a timeline alongside key periods in British history.
- Describe key features of Mayan life (cities, writing, calendars, religion, farming).
- Identify similarities and differences between Mayan civilisation and Britain at a similar time.
- Use appropriate historical terms (e.g. civilisation, temple, glyphs, calendar, maize).

3. Key Vocabulary
civilisation, Mayan, Central America, temple, pyramid, glyphs, calendar, maize, city-state, archaeologist, timeline, contrast, similarity

4. Resources Needed
- World map showing Central America and Britain
- Timeline showing c. AD 900 in both Mayan civilisation and British history
- Images of Mayan cities, temples, pyramids, writing (glyphs), calendars, farming
- Short information texts or fact cards about Mayan life
- Comparison grid (Mayan civilisation vs Britain)
- Large paper for group posters, pens, pencils, glue

5. Starter Activity (10 minutes)
- Show a picture of a Mayan temple or city in the jungle.
- Ask: “Where do you think this is? When do you think people built this?”
- Show the location on a world map and explain that this is from the Mayan civilisation around c. AD 900.

6. Main Teaching Input (10–15 minutes)
- Give a short overview of Mayan civilisation:
- Where they lived (Central America).
- Cities and temples.
- Writing (glyphs) and calendars.
- Farming (maize) and daily life.
- Place Mayan civilisation c. AD 900 on a timeline and compare with what was happening in Britain at a similar time.
- Model how to pick out key information from a fact card and how to compare two societies.

7. Pupil Activities (25–30 minutes)
Activity 1: Mayan Fact Finders
- In groups, pupils receive fact and picture cards about Mayan civilisation.
- They complete a simple information sheet: “Where did they live?” “What did they build?” “How did they write?” “What did they eat?”

Activity 2: Comparing Mayans and Britain
- Using a comparison grid, pupils list at least three similarities and three differences between Mayan civilisation and Britain at a similar time (e.g. buildings, writing, religion, farming).

Challenge
- Higher-attaining pupils write a short paragraph explaining one key way the Mayan civilisation provides a contrast with British history, using historical terms.

8. Plenary (5–10 minutes)
- Groups share one similarity and one difference they found.
- Revisit the world map and timeline to reinforce where and when the Mayan civilisation existed.
- Briefly discuss how we know about the Mayans (ruins, artefacts, writing, archaeology).

9. Homework
- Homework task: pupils design a “Mayan civilisation” information card or mini-poster for a museum display.
- They include a picture and a few sentences explaining one key feature of Mayan life and how it is different from Britain.

10. Assessment Notes
- Look for pupils locating the Mayan civilisation correctly on a simple map and timeline.
- Check use of historical terms and ability to describe key features.
- Note who can identify and explain at least one clear contrast between Mayan civilisation and British history.