This study investigated how two groups of Guatemalan Mayan mothers varying in schooling experience organized children's participation in a problem-solving discussion. Twenty-eight foursomes of mothers and three children (ages 6-12 years) were videotaped discussing how to solve the shortage of drinking water in their town. Mayan mothers with no or…

THIS STUDY WAS CONDUCTED TO EVALUATE TWO APPROACHES FOR TRAINING STUDENTS WITH A PREVIOUSLY ACQUIRED FOREIGN LANGUAGE ABILITY. THE TWO APPROACHES STUDIED WERE MONOLINGUAL AND BILINGUAL. THE HYPOTHESIS OF THE MONOLINGUAL APPROACH SUGGESTS THAT IT IS MORE EFFICIENT TO TEACH IN THE NATIONAL LANGUAGE. THE BILINGUAL HYPOTHESIS SUGGESTS IT IS MORE…

This paper is grounded on the premise that research, as a colonising practice, needs constant reconceptualisation and rethinking. I propose a methodology based on some of the values, visions and stories from my own Maya Indigenous culture and knowledge in addition to other Indigenous cultures across the world. I argue that researchers need to…

This article describes an exploration activity involving Mayan numerals, which can be adapted by teachers at various levels to help students better understand the concept of place value and appreciate contributions to mathematics made by an indigenous Central American culture.

Examines the appropriateness of Rigoberta Menchu's book, "I, Rigoberta: An Indian Woman in Guatemala," which examines the Mayan civil rights struggle, for high school and college classes studying multicultural experiences, explaining that teachers who understand the various challenges to the book will be prepared to lead thoughtful…

This publication for educators offers in-depth articles on anthropological research, teaching activities, and reviews of new resources. The publication aims to disseminate recent research in anthropology; to help those teaching anthropology use new materials, approaches, and community resources, as well as integrate anthropology into a variety of…

Two parallel studies were performed with 12 American college students and 12 traditional Itzaj-Mayan adults each to investigate universal and cultural features of folkbiological taxonomies and inductions. Results show cultural consensus among both groups in taxonomies of local mammals. These taxonomies had similar relationships to scientific…

Discusses social, economic, and political conditions that influence the growth and health of children of Guatemalan Maya immigrants to the United States. As of 2000, Maya-American children age 6-12 years were, on average, 11 centimeters taller, and also heavier, than their Guatemalan peers. The heaviness is probably due to sedentary lifestyles.…

Interviews with five Mayans in Guatemalan villages identified deterrents to participation in literacy programs at four levels: (1) individual (personal history, self-perception); (2) family (values, machismo); (3) community (ethnic identity, economic system); and (4) national (funding, policies, culturally inappropriate formats). (SK)

Historically, indigenous people lived in a sustainable economy, making a living from the land in a way that did not destroy the ecosystem. Today, the market economy is driven by the demands of consumers, and supplying their demands is taking a toll on the environment. This article discusses the Menominee tribe in northeastern Wisconsin, and the…

This paper focuses on the capacity building of "local partnership" members or leaders as development agents in their Mayan communities. It relates to an education/training process started in 1995 in four different regions of the Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico, which was carried out by Non Governmental Organizations (NGO) and academic…

This curriculum unit is intended for upper-level high school students. The unit aims for students to gain a basic understanding of the history of Mayan human rights in Guatemala and of the present situation in Guatemala. The unit uses a variety of media and teaching techniques. It lists 30 questions which are to be completed after reading the…

Presents data that show the effect of different types of marketing in the incidence and degree of bilingualism among women from Pajuyu and Maqenya, two Guatemalan Indian Communities. Discusses the influence on bilingualism of the amount and kind of interaction that takes place between Indian women and non-Indians as a result of textile marketing.…

Discusses how teachers can infuse culture into the curriculum and develop students' competence and confidence by using ethnomathematics. Examines the mathematics of the Mayan civilization. Contains 22 references. (ASK)