As part of the Kindergarten Global Education Unit, kindergarteners have been investigating the New Orleans community. Throughout this unit, the girls have focused on the following essential question:

“What are the values, experiences, and cultures of our New Orleans community?”

Students began the study by exploring their own families and neighborhoods. They then investigated our Sacred Heart community, and lastly, the beautiful city of New Orleans! 

In October, the kindergarteners went on their streetcar field trip using a map to look for landmarks along the way. After riding up and down the Avenue, they were excited to recall what they saw to create a miniature streetcar route in the Innovation Lab. 

First, each student drew a picture of something they saw on their ride. Then, their pictures were cut out of wood using a laser cutter on the Rosary Campus. Next, it was time to paint! The students carefully added colors to their wooden pictures, making their streetcar route come to life. Finally, the students used Coding Express to add a moving streetcar to the route. They learned how to tell the streetcar when to stop and turn around, just like the real thing! 

The girls also had a blast learning about our City including the history of musicians, magnolia flowers, float houses, crawfish, and more. Each kindergarten class created a collection of arts and crafts related to local cultural icons and traditions.

For each project, students researched the origins of each topic and the contributions of each person including famous NOLA musicians such as Louis Armstrong, Mahalia Jackson, and Trombone Shorty. Classes also investigated how Mardi Gras krewes contribute to the community throughout the year even after Mardi Gras. They discussed how traditions such as decorating float houses and oyster shells began and how snoballs, beignets, and crawfish have become synonymous with NOLA. 

The Kindergarten girls have grown to love New Orleans even more through our Global Education study. Laissez les bons temps rouler!