Learning objective
- To evaluate historians’ claims on the decline of the ancient Maya cities.
Success criteria
- I can describe claims made about the decline
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National curriculum
History
The National curriculum for history
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Cross-curricular links
English
Reading – comprehension
Pupils
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Before the lesson
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Lesson plan
Recap and recall
Show the Presentation: Tell me more. Ask the children to take turns telling their partner about the importance of cacao to the ancient Maya.
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Adaptive teaching
Pupils needing extra support:
- Should use the Knowledge organiser for vocabulary support in their discussions during the Main event.
- Could focus on fewer claims when ranking them in the Diamond six activity during the Main event (e.g. select the three most likely only).
Pupils working at greater depth:
- Could compare several claims and explain clearly how they link together.
- Explain why some claims are more convincing than others, using more than one piece of evidence.
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Assessing progress and understanding
Pupils with secure understanding can:
- Describe claims about why some Maya cities declined.
- Identify
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Vocabulary definitions
-
abandon
To leave somewhere and not return.
-
claim
A statement a historian makes about the past after looking at sources.
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In this unit
Assessment - History Y4: The ancient Maya
Lesson 1: How did the ancient Maya settle in a rainforest?
Lesson 2: What do remains tell us about ancient Maya cities?
Lesson 3: What did the ancient Maya believe?
Lesson 4: How did the Maya reflect world beliefs in their inventions?
Lesson 5: How important was cacao to the ancient Maya?
Lesson 6: What caused the decline of the ancient Maya cities?
Maintained by: Kapow Primary team
Last update: 5th March, 2026
Lesson 4: How did the Maya reflect world beliefs in their inventions?
Acting as archivists, the children explore and record some of the inventions of the ancient...
Lesson 1: How did the ancient Maya settle in a rainforest?
Exploring where the ancient Maya settled, the challenges of rainforest life and the solutions they...
Assessment – History Y4: How did the achievements of the ancient Maya impact their society and beyond?
Assessment quiz, Skills catcher and Knowledge catcher for use at the start and/or end of...
Lesson 2: What do remains tell us about ancient Maya cities?
Exploring archaeological remains to make inferences about life in ancient Maya cities.
