Appendix # 3: The Maya Ballgame
http://www.ballgame.org
(image 05.02.05.03 available in print form)
The following questions are adapted from the Ballgame website: http://www.ballgame.org
Explore the Mesoamerican World
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A. Students are to use the map in the Explore the Mesoamerican World on the ballgame website for the following: - 1. Identify each cultural group on the map.
- 2. Identify where this group is located on the map.
- 3. When did this Cultural Group exist?
- 4. What were the major accomplishments of this group?
- 5. Describe the Lifestyle.
- 6. Describe the art style
- 7. Materials used
- 8. Subject Matter
- 9. Ballgame
- 10. Other Sites (answer the same questions for other sites listed with the major cultural groups)
- B. Identify each period
- I. Formative Period
- 1. When
- 2. Where
- 3. Cultures
- 4. Major Accomplishments
- 5. Ballgame Connections
II Classic Period - 1. When
- 2. Where
- 3. Cultures
- 4. Major Accomplishments
- 5. Ball Game Connections
- III. Post Classic
- 1. When
- 2. Where
- 3. Cultures
- 4. Major Accomplishments
- 5. Ball Game Connections
- IV. Spanish Conquest
- 1. Who
- 2. Where
- 3. Time Period
- 4. Major Influences
- 5. Lifestyle
- V. World History
- 1. When
- 2. Exploration
- 3. Conquest
- 4. Colonization
- 5. Independence
Students are to use the Explore the BallGame section of the ball game website to complete the following activities.
- I. Using the Ball Page: www.ballgame.org
A. Students should: complete all activities on the Ball page to gain a better understanding of the use and development of rubber by Mesoamerican people. - II. Using the "Explore the BallGame" Page : www.ballgame.org
- A. Students should use the Uniform page to complete the following for a better understanding of the Mesoamerican ballgame.
- 1. See how the ball players wore their uniforms.
- 2. Identify and state the purpose of all parts of the uniform worn by the ball players.
- 3. View the "parade of players" for a display of artifacts from the ballgames.
- 4. View team "Mascots" and answer the following questions:
- a.) What is the purpose of ball court markers?
- b.) What is the name of the Aztec feathered serpent?
- c.) What is an hacha?
- d.) What are harpy eagles? Why are they shown decorating ballcourts?
- e.) What does the name of the Hero Twin, Xbalanque, mean?
- f..) Where are Coyote Palmas commonly found?
- g.) What was the coyote associated with?
- h.) What was the maguey plant used for?
- i.) What is copal?
- III. Using the "Court" page: www.ballgame.org
- A. Students should use the "Court" page to gain a better understanding of the cultural traditions associated with the ballgame. Students should visit all activities on this page and prepare a discussion on similarities with these traditions to contemporary sports traditions.
- a.) Walk around a Court
- b.) Listen to an Ancient Aztec Song
- c.) View and Identify the Artwork
- d.) Learn from this Ancient Vessel
- IV. Students should use the "Game" page: www.ballgame.org to gain a better understanding of the development of sports through history.
- a.) To answer the question of women in sports, students should view "Did Women Play"?
- b.) To understand the similarities between Mesoamerican sports and modern day sports, students should view "How We Play the Game".
- c.) To understand the historical development of sports and develop a time line depicting that development, students should view "The First Dream Team".
- d.) To understand story of "Sport and Spirituality" students should view "Winner Take All". This section of the site explores the history of the ball game through both artwork and a diagram explaining the story of creation according to the Popul Vul.
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