Format
This live, interactive videoconference program is taught from the museum galleries, giving students the opportunity to see original works of art and also dig deeper with additional digital content. Led by a museum educator, this program begins with an introduction to the MFA followed by close looking and guided activities centered around several works of art. Throughout the program, students will connect with the educator in the museum gallery by looking closely, making observations, asking questions, and engaging in activities.
Objectives
1. Students will learn about the role of artist-scribes in classic Maya civilization.
2. Students will develop an understanding of ancient Maya ceramics as a form of art and communication that recorded both historical events and sacred beliefs.
3. Students will practice visual literacy and critical thinking skills through close looking, observation, and online discussion centered on works of art from the MFA's collection.
Standards Alignment
State Standards
Investigating History
Grade 6: Unit 4, Lessons 9-21 (Cluster 3) - Mesoamerican Societies: Teotihuacan and the Maya
Massachusetts Curriculum Framework for History and Social Science
Grade 6: World Geography and Ancient Civilizations
- Topic 5c: Major ancient societies in Central America and South America, c. 1400 BCE-1600 CE
[HSS.6.T5c.01] Research and report on one of the major ancient societies that existed in Central America (Maya, Teotihuacán, and other civilizations such as the Olmec, Toltec, and Zapotec), or one of the major pre-Columbian Andean civilizations (Chavín, Moche, Nazca), their locations, and their cultural characteristics.
Massachusetts Curriculum Framework for History and Social Science
High School: World History I
- Topic 3: Interactions of kingdoms and empires c. 1000-1500
[HSS.WHI.T3.02] Map the geographical extent of one of the following kingdoms or empires; explain its central political, economic, cultural developments and its role in trade, diplomatic alliances, warfare, and exchanges with other parts of the world.
[HSS.WHI.T3.02h]. The Mayan civilization of the Classic period (c. 250-950 CE), cities such as Teotihuacán, Tikal, and Copán, pyramid building, long-distance trade between inland sites and sites near the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean
Massachusetts Curriculum Framework for Arts
Grades 7-8: Visual Arts | Responding
[7-8.V.R.07] Perceive and analyze artistic work. Analyze elements of a work that are indicative of the historical or cultural context in which it was created.
[7-8.V.R.08] Interpret intent and meaning in artistic work. Explain how an artistic work was influenced by the culture or historical context in which it was created.
[7-8.V.R.11] Relate artistic ideas and works to societal, cultural and historical contexts to deepen understanding. Identify visual ideas from a variety of cultures connected to different historical populations.