Maya+farming

=Maya Farms= ====The Maya diet was plentiful and varied like other natives to the Americas. The Yucatan peninsula is a hot, dry, and sometimes drought-ridden region. Water was a problem for the Maya. There were not many rivers to obtain water for their farms, but they did use sink holes, or //cenotes//, and underground cisterns to collect rain water. The thin soil was difficult to farm. The Maya would clear a forest by burning it and then plant maize along with other crops such as peppers, beans, squash, avocado, papaya, manioc, guava, tobacco, and cacao. The surrounding forests were filled with animals the Maya would hunt for food. Monkeys, tapirs, iguana, duck, turkeys, deer, and armadillo were made into a variety dishes. Mayan hunters would use bows and arrows, darts, blow guns, and spears to kill food. They also would train a type of dog called an //acehpek// to assist them in hunting wild animals. The Maya fished mostly in salt water where they used nets and hooks and line to catch fish. They also caught turtles and sea birds, and they gathered oysters. Domestic animals were raised by the Maya to supplement their diets. Turkeys and peccary, a type of pig-like creature, along with dogs were raised for food. Maya farmers even raised bees. Hollow logs were used to maintain beehives.====

Use the words provided under the different categories to help you write your paragraph. If you would like, add your own words to the categories. If appropriate, you may use more than one word from each column. (Additional setting development statements and details for setting can be found here. To be clear, you don't have to use this additional page, but it is here if you need more help.) Remember, the goal is to be creative and expressive, not just simply complete the steps. You are writing about how the Maya farmed, not just answering questions.
 * DIRECTIONS**: Follow the steps listed in order.

__**THE PRODUCE**__
 * __**SCENERY**__
 * Grain waving in the breeze
 * Rolling hills
 * Irrigation ditches
 * Terraces
 * Children playing
 * People tilling the fields
 * Animals grazing || __**ACTIVITIES**__
 * Making grass mats
 * Making fiber sandals
 * Making canoes
 * Making weapons
 * Bartering at the market || **__PEOPLE__**
 * Farmers and workers
 * Carrying bundles
 * Tilling the field
 * Talking together || **__SEASONAL__**
 * __ACTIVITIES__**
 * Planting time (March)
 * Corn ripens in July
 * Sacrifices take place
 * to appease the gods
 * for rain and sun
 * throughout the year ||
 * __**WHAT IS DONE WITH**__
 * Made into bread
 * Ground with a stone mortar
 * Using the cumal (a baking device)
 * Making tamales
 * Store grain in cornbin || __**PREPARING THE FIELDS**__
 * Trees felled with stone axes
 * Ash turned into the soil
 * Using rotting trees to provide humus
 * Earth tilled using a wooden
 * digging stick
 * Corn kernels placed in 4” to 5” deep holes || __**OTHER PRODUCE**__
 * Beans
 * Squash
 * Camoti (sweet potato)
 * Tomatl (tomatoes)
 * Chilli (hot peppers)
 * Huautli (Amaranth pigweeds) ||  ||

1. Indent and write one or more sentences describing the __people__ at the setting. This statement should be a general statement that gives you an idea what the paragraph is about (topic sentence). 2. Write one or more sentences describing the other __produce__ grown in the farm fields. 3. Write one or more sentences detailing the __scenery__ around the fields. 4. Write one or more sentences describing the __seasonal activities__ that occur. 5. Write several sentences describing the __off-season activities__. (Use your own words for this step.) 6. Write one or more sentences describing how the __fields were prepared__. 7. Write several sentences describing what is __done with the produce__ after it is gathered. 8. Write a closing statement that ends your paragraph. This sentence should not be about any specific detail described. It should be broad like your topic sentence.
 * __STEPS__**

Because this is a paragraph or two, make sure to use transitions and other elements of writing to enhance your information.