4th & 5th Grade Mayan Number System - Inquiry-Based Gifted/Talented Math Project

This 4th & 5th grade inquiry-based math project about the Mayan Numeral System is perfect for engaging gifted and talented students. The math problems involve reading, writing, and adding Mayan Numerals. Students will think creatively as they design a hidden picture and build a secret code. Fourth and fifth-grade students will enjoy learning more about the Maya as they participate in these print and digital activities.

Check out the Contents of this Maya Math Project:

✏️ Project Responsibilities: Use this page to help organize student roles if working in groups.

✏️ Project Check-In: When I give this project to only a few students, they work on it independently. At the end of each math lesson, they turn in a “Check-In” page to notify me if they are lost.

✏️ Student Portfolio Pages: I like to print these pages by “Part.” I give the students one part at a time so it is less overwhelming. This method allows me to monitor student progress.

• 5 - Cover
• 6 - 10 - Part 1: Explore the Mayan Numeral System
• 11 - 14 - Part 2: Multi-Digit Mayan Numerals
• 15 - 17 - Part 3: Mayan Numeral Review
• 18 - 20 - Part 4: Create a Hidden Picture
• 21 - 23 - Part 5: Other Number Systems & Secret Code Activity
• 24 - Final Reflection
• 25 - Rubric

✏️ 26 - 32 - Teacher Resources

• Answer Keys
• Examples
• Mayan Numeral Chart

✏️ PowerPoint File & TPT Easel Resource for Virtual Classrooms

Hear From Educators Like You!

⭐️ “Used this resource as a springboard for learning about place value with my gifted math students.”

⭐️ “This was a great resource to use at my IB school to encourage inquiry-based learning.”

⭐️ “I enjoyed using this resource in my classroom! I used this as an extension activity during my place value unit.“

⭐️ “My early finishers loved the rigor of these materials.”

⭐️ “Great addition to my unit on the Maya.  My students were amazed by their math system and enjoyed using your unit.”

This math project can be a “Print and Go” resource or used for a whole-class exploration. I assigned it to my advanced students while teaching the general class during our place value unit. Students can read each section and complete the packet with little teacher instruction. The Mayan Numeral System uses a base of 20 instead of 10, so it will definitely stretch students’ thinking. Students can explore online games, videos, and research links included in the packet with the use of a laptop.

Use this Project-Based Learning Math Activity in so many ways!

✅ Wrap up math units with your whole class by assigning this project-based learning activity. 

✅ Evaluate the abilities of your gifted and talented students through a pretest at the beginning of a unit. If they pass before receiving instruction, provide them with this independent math project instead. 

✅ Invite students to complete this project-based learning assignment with a partner or small group to encourage math discussion. 

✅ Print activities or assign them through digital means (Google Classroom, TPT Easel, etc.)

An exploration of the Mayan Numeral System is ideal for extending the learning of gifted and talented students. If you're interested in "Gamifying" your classroom, this Mayan Gamification Kit ties in perfectly with this resource!

Find Answers to Your Questions about this Decimal Project

✋What type of math is involved in this project?

• Students read, write, and add numbers using a base-20 system instead of a base-10 system. It involves complex thinking about how number systems work.

✋What grade level can use this project-based learning activity?

• The Mayan Numeral Inquiry-Based Project extends upon 4th and 5th-grade standards. This rigorous project works best as enrichment for gifted and talented students.

Did you know? You can assign this digital resource to students in Google and non-Google classrooms using a link from TPT Easel?

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