Susan M. Mayer

Ms. Mayer and Ms. Cole develop “Cultural Connections: An Exploration of the Early Cultures of New Mexico” to introduce students to early civilizations and important events that helped to shape New Mexico. Students compare the early civilizations that lived in what later became New Mexico to those of other countries around the world by exploring topics such as architecture, religion, and art. The project includes visits to some of New Mexico’s ancient ruins at Bandelier National Monument and Chaco Culture National Historical Park so that students can make observations, ask questions of experts, and take photographs to be used in their final reports. Students present their findings through written and oral reports, photographs, drawings, and three-dimensional models.