‘Take me to the Mardi Gras’

Niagara Wheatfield Tribune, March 16, 2006
Lewiston Porter Sentinel, March 18, 2006

Stella Niagara students in William Pritchard’s French class display their Mardi Gras float creations.

Students taking William Pritchard’s French class at Stella Niagara Education Park used “Fat Tuesday” to learn about the history and culture behind Mardi Gras.

After creating miniature floats that followed the traditions of Mardi Gras and adding their own personal themes, the students made presentations on their floats to a panel of three judges. Judging criteria included verbal presentation of the project, originality, workmanship, choice of colors, aesthetics and theme.

Born and raised in Louisiana, Pritchard moved to Lewiston in 2005 to work for Stella Niagara. His education, training and personal background benefits his students by learning not only the language but also French history, culture and traditions.

“I strongly believe that language should be about more than just speaking and writing, it should also be about the culture and the people,” Pritchard said. “Activities like this greatly improve retention through concrete, sensory-motor learning experiences. The creation of these floats focused students on the subject of cultural and spiritual diversity, and provided a fun activity at the same time.”

A traditional holiday celebrated in many of the southern states of the USA, Mardi Gras was named by the French custom of parading a fat ox through the streets of Paris on Shrove Tuesday. Shrove Tuesday and Mardi Gras day are the same day.

Spanish students in Williams’ class at Stella Niagara pose with their Mardi Gras costumes in celebration of “Fat Tuesday.” In addition to enjoying traditional Mardi Gras food, the pupils also learned how that event is celebrated in Spain.