SAVE OUR
HISTORY
MARDI GRAS
Prepared by :
Jamie F. Staub
&
Melanie Rieger
1. Lesson Plan
Students will research and experience Mardi Gras as never before. The following
activities were part of our project :
1. Students will take a pre-test of Mardi Gras history.
2. Students will prepare King Cakes.
3. Students will create a journal of their Mardi Gras activities.
4. Students will conduct an interview of someone over forty. The interview should focus
on the interviewees’ recollections of Mardi Gras as a teenager.
5. Students will read a Mardi Gras based book.
6. Students will create a book cover and present what was learned to the class.
7. Students will attend a field trip to Mardi Gras World.
8. Students will listen to a Mardi Gras guest speaker.
9. Students will create a Mardi Gras Guide for visitors.
10. Students will take a post-test of Mardi Gras history.
Our activity is specifically focused on the History of Mardi Gras.
2. Local History
Many of our students are immigrants and do not have a long standing family
tradition of celebrating Mardi Gras. Many aspects of Mardi Gras are new to
them. After Hurricane Katrina severely damaged New Orleans in August of
2005, a debate surfaced over whether or not the Mardi Gras celebration was
appropriate this year. As the city began to rebuild and renew it became obvious
that an important part of the recovery was maintaining the cultural roots that so
distinctly identify New Orleans. It was also important for our immigrant students
to be immersed in our cultural traditions in good times and bad.
3. Connections
The Mardi Gras celebration in New Orleans is 150 years old in 2006. There have been
few times in history when the festivities have been cancelled. One of those times was
during World War II and another was during the Korean War. We began our study at the
conclusion of our unit on World War II which was at the same time that Mardi Gras
began this year.
Typically in the third nine weeks we read a World War II book. We simply replaced
this activity with a Mardi Gras book this year. We usually conduct an oral history
interview about the Vietnam War. We substituted this activity with a Mardi Gras
interview.
4. Components used
The idea for this project came as a result of the life changes caused by Hurricane
Katrina. Mrs. Staub’s 94 year old grandmother lost her home to the storm. She came to
live with Mrs. Staub. Fortunately, her grandmother loves to tell stories. We are not sure
what started the conversation that day, but she began to talk about how Mardi Gras was
different when she was young. This reminded us of the importance of primary sources.
It sparked the idea for our students not only recording their Mardi Gras experiences, but
also to interview someone over 40 in order to compare then and now. Therefore, one of
the major components of our lesson became the use of oral histories as a way to save our
history of Mardi Gras.
One of our students interviewed her grandmother about her experiences just a few days
before she passed away. It was the last time they spent together. This student will have
this memory forever.
5. Time Frame
January 2006
Introduce the lesson Mardi Gras begins on January 6 each year. Give the Mardi Gras Pre-test on this day.
Play Mardi Gras music. Give King Cakes as prizes.
February 2006
Record Mardi Gras history –
Students will complete a journal of their Mardi Gras activities for a minimum of 5 days.
Students will bake King Cakes.
March 2006
In depth research of Mardi Gras –
Students will interview one adult over 40 about Mardi Gras when they were age 15 or 16.
Students will read a book of their choice about Mardi Gras. Students will create an
original book cover and present their book report to the class.
April 2006
In depth research continued –
Students will take a field trip to Mardi Gras World to learn the history of Mardi Gras as
well as see the art of float making in action.
Students will create a tour booklet about Mardi Gras. We will send these booklets to
students in New York.
May 2006
Completion of studyA guest speaker will visit.
Students will listen to a noted Mardi Gras historian.
Mardi Gras Post-test will be given.
6. Essential Question
Why celebrate Mardi Gras is the essential question for this unit. Other questions
included: What is the history of Mardi Gras? What are the traditions associated with
Mardi Gras? Why should people come to celebrate this event in our city?
This year was the 150th anniversary of Mardi Gras in New Orleans. The celebration of
Mardi Gras has changed during these years, but not the spirit. As population growth
reached the suburbs so did Mardi Gras with numerous parades and krewes originating
there. Mardi Gras adapted to the needs of suburbanites who found it too difficult to
travel into the city with young families.
In the 1960’s interest in Mardi Gras began to wane, so a major renovation in the
celebration was necessary. Instead of just the old style krewes consisting of socialites
and civil leaders, new supersized krewes emerged composed of anyone who could afford
the dues, celebrities reigned as king, and instead of sedate cotillion style balls mega
parties lasting late into the night were held. Mardi Gras adapted to the changing needs of
the community and became more democratic. Mardi Gras is a vibrant, integral part of the
culture, history and economy of New Orleans. Having an essential element of our culture
survive Katrina was proof that New Orleans is still alive.
7. Content based questions
(MARDI GRAS QUIZ)
1. What anniversary is Mardi Gras having this year ? 150
2. When does carnival begin each year ? January 6th
3. What is this day called ? Twelfth Night, King’s Day, Epiphany
4. When does Mardi Gras end ? when Lent begins, on Ash Wednesday, on Fat
Tuesday
5. Why do the dates of Mardi Gras change ? lunar cycle (coincide with Easter)
6. What are the colors of Mardi Gras ? purple, green and gold
7. What do they stand for ? justice, faith and power
8. When has Mardi Gras been cancelled ? Civil War, WWI, WWII, Korea and the
police strike (13 times)
9. What organization is considered the King of Carnival ? Rex
10. What is the Monday before Mardi Gras called ? Lundi Gras
11. What is the Saturday before Mardi Gras called ? Samdi Gras
12. What is the significance of the Flambeaux Carriers ? lighting
13. What is the oldest carnival organization? Comus
14. What is the official song of Mardi Gras ? If Ever I Cease to Love
15. What is your favorite throw ? vary
16. What foods are associated with Mardi Gras ? (talk about King Cakes here)
8. Outcomes
After the students gave their book reports on Mardi Gras, one of our students
commented “ I ain’t gonna lie Mrs. Staub. I learned a whole lot about Mardi Gras.”
Learning the history of Mardi Gras is learning the history of New Orleans, but more
importantly studying Mardi Gras gives us an understanding and appreciation of New
Orleans culture itself. New Orleans is viewed as one of five totally unique cities in the
United States. In order to preserve this uniqueness, cultural traditions from food to music
to Mardi Gras must continue. We wanted our students to understand the role that Mardi
Gras plays in shaping the personality, character, and history of our city.
9. Resources
Hardy, Arthur. Mardi Gras Guide. Metairie, Louisiana: Arthur Hardy Enterprises,
Inc., 2006.
History of King Cakes. nola.com. January 6,
2006 <http://www.nola.com/mardigras/food/?kingcake.html>.
Various Artists. Best of Mardi Gras in New Orleans Volume II. Mardi Gras Records,
Inc., 1989.
10. Assessment tools
Each component of the project was assessed.
1. Pre-test– 20 possible points – highest score given a prize
2. King cake baking – after school with the help of the Home Economics Department –
bonus points awarded
3. Mardi Gras Activity Journal – 50 point project
4. Oral History Interview – 50 point project
5. Book Cover –100 point test grade
6. Book Report –100 point test grade
7. Field Trip - 50 point paper
8. Tour Booklet – 50 point project
9. Post-test – 20 possible points