Mardi Gras Printables
Tons of stuff for kids. Mardi Gras coloring sheet, word find puzzle, crossword puzzle, bookmarks, pencil toppers, theme paper, etc. http://homeschooling.about.com/od/holidays/ss/mardigrasprint_7.htm

Is February the month for Valentine Day or Mardi Gras? Both!
This clever kindergarten teacher chose to celebrate February with Mardi Gras instead of Valentine Day. Great idea! Read this terrific article about the clever activities she created and how she tied everything to the curriculum. http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0HTZ/is_1_131/ai_82844434

Mardi Gras lesson plans for K-12 teachers
A terrific set of classroom activities for kids centered around Mardi Gras. History, math, creative writing, art, social studies, etc. http://www.glc.k12.ga.us/news/NewsItems/next/celeb/mardi.htm 

All about Louisiana
This web site has links to info about Louisiana folklife, agriculture, animals, demographic info, wetlands, history, etc., etc. A terrific resource for teachers and students. Here's the link:
http://www.stmary.k12.la.us/intech/INTECH/introduction/resources.htm

Second Line and Umbrellas
There are many different opinions about where the term, "second line" comes from. Some people believe it comes from the traditional New Orleans jazz funerals where the "first line" was the slow-walking, sad line of people walking to the cemetary for the funeral accompanied by solemn music and the "second line" was the line of joyous, dancing people leaving the cemetary happy to know that the departed person is now in heaven. Others say the "first line" is the family of the departed person and the "second line" is made up of friends and well-wishers. I had a New Orleans musician tell me that he's always believed that the "first line" was the clarinet, trumpet and trombone at a jazz funeral and the "second line" was the tuba and drums. It's hard to know exactly what's correct, but you can bet that when you hear, "second line" music in New Orleans, people will be dancing and strutting. Here's a link with more "second line" info: http://www.mardigrasdigest.com/Sec_2ndline/2ndline_history.htm . And if you want to laugh and learn more about second line, check out this very funny YouTube video from a man named Robert Trudeau who will show YOU how to "second line" - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bpwlPh0k40U

King Cake

On January 6 (King’s Day) each year, bakeries around New Orleans start baking king cakes. Inside each cake is a small plastic baby and traditionally, if you get the baby in your piece of king cake, you have to buy the next king cake for the group. Mike's KING CAKE rap will give you the details, but if you want more info visit http://www.holidays.net/mardigras/cake.htm . Note: there are a lot of commercial ads on that site, but the king cake info is worth putting up with the ads. Also, check out this page on the same site with Mardi Gras coloring sheets: http://www.holidays.net/mardigras/goodies.htm

If Ever I Cease To Love
Here's a great YouTube video of an organization known as, "The Phunny Phorty Phellows" singing the official Mardi Gras anthem, IF EVER I CEASE TO LOVE. The nonsensical lyrics make this a great song for kids to learn and sing. Here's the link: http://www.mardigrasparadeschedule.com/krewes/ppp/2007singalong/ .

Mardi Gras floats
Every carnival organization (known as, "Krewes") tries to make the most beautiful, creative, amusing or unforgettable float possible. This web site - http://www.kreweofbacchus.org/html/floatbuilding.htm - from the Krewe of Bacchus has info and pictures from some of their amazing floats. If kids would like to get in on the float-building act, this web site - http://www.mardigrasday.com/mardigras/floats.php shows them how to make a Mardi Gras float from a shoe box or from a wagon. FUN!