Outreach

Belize

Altun Ha; A Guidebook to the Ancient Maya Ruins
David M. Pendergast, 2nd edition, University of Toronto Press, 1976. 47 pp.
A detailed guide to the Mayan ruins at Altun Ha, with illustrations of art work and detailed maps of the site.
Recommendation: Background research for high school and up.

Hands of the Maya: Villagers at Work and Play
Rachel Crandell. NY: Henry Holt and Company, 2002. 30 pp.
Experience a day in the life of Maya villagers. Members of the community prepare a warm meal, weave clothing, make roofs, and create art and music. With its lyrical prose and richly textured photographs, this engaging book captures the hard work, love, and respect of the Maya culture. Named a Notable Social Studies Trade Book for Young People (2003) by the National Council for the Social Studies. Lovely photographs, good introduction to the Maya.
Recommendation: Elementary school.

Biodiversity: Belize!
GeoKit. National Geographic Society, 1998.
Team up with scientists to explore the diversity of flora and fauna that thrive in a tropical rain forest and with archaeologists who study Xunan-tunich, a classic Maya city. Then, dive off the coast to study a coral reef. Use this multidisciplinary kit to incorporate the JASON Project curriculum into your Earth science and life science classes. This GeoKit can be used year after year to stimulate student learning and inquiry into these exciting and relevant science topics. This Kit includes : the award-winning JASON Project curriculum; a colorful poster ; three videos (JASON Project V: Belize highlights, Rain Forest, Lost City of the Maya); Teacher’s Guide; trivia ; correlations to national standards in science, math, and geography; and assessment guidelines.
Recommendation: Grades 5-8.

Travelers: Mexico and Belize
Discovery Channel Education, 2001. 26 minutes.
The travelers take part in Day of the Dead in Mexico and the Cashew Festival in Belize. A lively, brief introduction to these events and the cultures that celebrate them. Accompanied by teacher’s guide, with discussion questions, a lesson plan, and NCSS standards alignment.
Recommendation: Grades 6-8.

Tropical Kingdom of Belize
National Geographic, 1986. 60 minutes.
From the Mayan mountains to the coastal lagoons, this tour of the Central American country of Belize reveals a diverse terrain and such fascinating creatures as Rufus tail hummingbirds, anteaters, manatees, owl butterflies, margays, and many exotic insects, flowers, reptiles, and monkeys.
Recommendation: Grades 7-12.

To reserve items, please fill out and return the Lending Agreement. You may return it by mail or fax. Note: If you are unable to download Adobe Acrobat (.pdf) files, please contact Outreach for a Lending Agreement.

Once you have a Lending Agreement on file, please contact the LLILAS Outreach Office with your request (including dates needed):

Natalie Arsenault
Outreach Coordinator
Teresa Lozano Long Institute of Latin American Studies
University of Texas at Austin
1 University Station D0800
Austin, Texas 78712-0331
Phone (512) 232-2404 or 471-5551
Fax (512) 471-3090
e-mail: n.arsenault@mail.utexas.edu