A History of New Orleans and Hurricane Katrina

New Orleans: Culture

Big Idea: Culture is a vital part of place and is heavily influenced by people and history.

Essential Questions:

1. Why is culture important to place? Is it? Why do we value it?

2. How does history help determine culture?

Objectives:

1. Describe how jazz began in the city of New Orleans and who Louis Armstrong was.

2. Explain the origins of Mardi Gras and its significance.

3. Understand the role of New Orleans in the struggle for civil rights.

Standards:

1. 14.C.3 Compare historical issues involving rights, roles and status of individuals in relation to municipalities, states and the nation.

2. 18.A.3 Explain how language, literature, the arts, architecture and traditions contribute to the development and transmission of culture.

3. 17.C.3c Analyze how human processes influence settlement patterns including migration and population growth.

Procedure:

1. Call students together quickly and inform them that the class will be heading to the computer lab to explore a website that will help them learn about the culture of New Orleans. Have students get up, gather their belongings, and move to the lab. (~5 mins)

2. Let students be seated and quickly review the broad points of New Orleans history. Tell them the general plan: they need to go to http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/neworleans/index.html (write on any available board space) and click under the “People & Events” tab on the left-hand sidebar in order to explore three topics: Louis Armstrong (1901-1971) and Beginnings of Jazz, Mardi Gras as History, and Plessy v. Ferguson OR Ruby Bridges and Integration of New Orleans Schools. They are free to choose between the last two. (~5-10 mins)

3. Hand out a worksheet which will ask them several questions, and let them know that it is due by the end of the hour, so they should work efficiently and be on-task, asking people around them for help if they need it but otherwise keeping conversation to a minimum. (~2 mins)

4. Let students work on the worksheet, moving around the room to answer and ask questions or help students navigate the website if needed. (~25-30 mins)

5. Collect worksheets at the end of class. (~2 mins)

Assessment:

1. Informal assessment is completed through walking around to answer questions and help students who are not understanding the material. Asking questions of the students to ensure understanding is another informal method of evaluation.

2. Formal assessment is completed through the worksheet, graded for correctness.

Materials:

• Computers, whiteboard and marker if possible, worksheet

• Estimated time: 50 minutes

Name:

Period:

New Orleans Culture

Introduction:

In America, New Orleans is a city known for its rich history and the diversity in its cultural heritage and traditions. Today we will explore how culture developed in New Orleans throughout its history, and some of the important events which helped shape the city, through the internet.

Directions:

Please log on to your computer, bring up the internet, and go to: http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/neworleans/index.html

Once you have navigated to this PBS site, look to the left sidebar and click on the “People & Events” link. Here you will see seven hyperlinked options. You will only need to use these 3:

Louis Armstrong (1901-1971) and Beginnings of Jazz

Mardi Gras as History

Plessy v. Ferguson OR Ruby Bridges and Integration of New Orleans Schools (your choice)

Questions:

Using a separate sheet of paper, please answer the following with complete sentences and explain your answers!

1. How did jazz start in New Orleans, and what role did Louis Armstrong play in its development? Why was he important?

2. Why and how did Mardi Gras begin? What is its significance?

3. How was New Orleans a part of the struggle for civil rights? Explain one event that had an impact on the movement for equality.

4. BONUS: If you have time, check out the rest of the PBS website. Describe the most interesting fact you came across and tell me why you think it is interesting.