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The Mardi Gras holiday has roots in many cultural and religious practices. From parades to costumes and food, the French phrase translates to “Fat Tuesday” and marks the end of Carnival season in Italian, Caribbean, and Latin American countries. It’s also the lead-in to Lent, a 40-day fasting and reflection period for Christians.
Dive into this fun and festive holiday with educational Mardi Gras activities for the classroom:
Assign an article that explores the history of Mardi Gras.
Share an article about the family-friendly activities—like parades and costumes—that are an important part of Mardi Gras celebrations.
Ask students to use what they’ve learned to write their own Mardi Gras picture books for young readers, including images and descriptive language.
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Discover what makes an event a tradition
Mardi Gras is just one of many interesting cultural events celebrated worldwide. Teach students the meaning of traditions and compare Mardi Gras celebrations with those of other holidays using articles on topics like:
Definitions and examples of customs and traditions.
Traditions associated with the Lunar New Year.
Celebrations and customs that are part of Diwali.
[Learn more about the history and culture of Louisiana in social studies](id-ss)
New Orleans, Louisiana, is the American city most associated with Mardi Gras celebrations. Students can learn more about the city and state in social studies classes with lessons on topics like:
French culture in the Southern United States
Students may associate the French language and culture in North America with Northeastern Canada, but if they live outside of Louisiana, chances are they may not know it’s also prominent in New Orleans. Teach students more about the influence of French culture on the area with this lesson:
Share an article about the influence of French colonial architecture on the Mississippi Valley region.
Explore the evolution of the French word “bourgeois” and its different adaptations and meanings in English-speaking countries.
Extend the lesson by asking students to research another country’s cultural influence on the United States—like Mexico, Ireland, or China—and use a Venn Diagram to compare that country’s influence with France’s influence on American culture.
The basics of Louisiana
Even if your students live in Louisiana, how much do they know about its unique history? Explore what makes this state special with articles on topics like:
An overview of Louisiana’s history, geography, wildlife, and natural resources.
How the Isle de Jean Charles Band of the Biloxi-Chitimacha-Choctaw tribe struggles to preserve their culture as their bayou home in Louisiana sinks into the Gulf of Mexico.
Why volunteers from all over the country traveled to Louisiana to restore and preserve a Civil War-era cemetery.
Reasons for the Louisiana Purchase
The site of present-day Louisiana wasn’t originally part of the United States territory. Teach students why the government felt they should acquire this land and how it became the state we know today with resources like:
An explainer article detailing the finer points of the Louisiana Purchase.
An article breaking down the Northwest Ordinance of1787, a federal law that created a legal structure for land settlement in five present-day states, a precursor to expansion into Louisiana territory.
A video that provides maps and visuals related to the Louisiana Purchase.
The Lewis and Clark Expedition
After the United States had completed the Louisiana Purchase, President Thomas Jefferson sent Meriwether Lewis and William Clark to explore the lands west of the Mississippi River. Students can learn more about their journey with resources like:
A video that explains the preparation and conditions leading up to the Lewis and Clark Expedition.
An explainer article that details the dangerous 8,000-mile journey Lewis, Clark, and their companions took from 1805 to 1806.
A biography of one of the most important people Lewis and Clark met during their travels, an Indigenous woman named Sacagawea.
Share a parade of fun activities with students all year
Use Newsela’s knowledge and skill-building products to create timely, engaging lessons for every holiday, event, and state mandate all year. If you’re not a Newsela customer yet, sign up for Newsela Lite and get a 45-day free trial of all our premium and differentiated content and activities to help you plan exciting activities for Mardi Gras and beyond.
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