Lesson Plan - Jungle of Secrets

Preview Words to Know
Project the online vocabulary slideshow and introduce the Words to Know.

• civilization 
• anthropologist

Set a Purpose for Reading
As students read, have them think about ways technology has helped people explore.

1. How does lidar help scientists search for lost cities?
Lidar, which is short for light detection and ranging, helps scientists search for lost cities by shooting pulses of light at the ground. It allows scientists to “see” beneath the trees and create detailed maps of an area.
^{R.2 Main Idea and Key Details}

2. What do you think Luke Auld-Thomas means when he says that “there is so much left to find”?
When Luke Auld-Thomas says “there is so much left to find,” he probably means that he believes there are more Maya ruins that could be discovered using lidar.
^{R.1 Inference}

3. Based on the article, describe two reasons the ancient Maya civilization might be considered advanced.
Sample response: One reason the ancient Maya civilization might be considered advanced is that they developed a complex writing system. Another reason is that their understanding of math and science was ahead of the times.
^{R.5 Cause and Effect}

Featured Skill: Note-Taking
Have students use the skill builder “Take Note!” to take notes as they read. Have students compare their notes with a partner’s.
^{R.10 Comprehension}