Colossal step pyramids still stand as iconic reminders of the once powerful Mayan empire such as El Castillo at Chichen Itza. Mayan pyramids served as temples for religious observances. Students can build a replica of these massive monuments with a little adult supervision and help. Cut a series of plywood squares decreasing in size so that they form a pyramid shape when stacked. Drill a hole in the center of each board and slide each wood square on a dowel stick in order of decreasing size, gluing them together. Cut heavy cardboard to rig up a staircase for the side and temple building at the peak. Spray the structure with stone texture spray paint.
Jaguars were a common icon of great power in the ancient Mesoamerican world. Mayan priests wore jaguar masks to portray themselves as scary and powerful against the underworld during religious ceremonies. Students can draw their own jaguar mask design on poster board. Glue on small bits of colored paper, stones, beads, and shell in a mosaic design. Another idea is to decorate a large round cardboard shield with jaguar spotted fabric or old wallpaper or to paint or draw the design with markers. Dangle ribbon or cloth strips from the lower edge to complete your own Mayan battle banner.
Fashion for royal and upper class Mayans included animal pendants that were believed to have mystical significance and power. Mayans believed that animals such as the eagle and the bat promoted mental clarity and provided protection against enemies, respectively. Students can fashion animal pendants out of cardboard or clay and paint them with design details. Hang them from a piece of yarn, ribbon, twine or leather lacing to show your Mayan colors.
Mayan glyphs represent the first known writing system in the western world. Mayans created complete written sentences and wrote stories when other civilizations of the time could not. Each glyph represented a syllable rather than a single sound. Practice writing like the Maya by sculpting clay tablets inscribed with your name or a short story in Mayan hieroglyphs. Alternately, use crumpled up brown paper bag tablets and paint with your story glyphs.