Explorica is proud to continue with a second year of this helpful resource for teachers: our 2019-20 Around the World classroom calendar!
The calendar features a new country (or state) and an international holiday or event for you to celebrate with your students each month. Download a new page every month on this blog (and subscribe!), hang it up in your classroom, and talk to your students about how the holiday reflects the country’s history and culture.
This February, we are featuring France! From the Eiffel Tower and the Mona Lisa to the Loire Valley and the charming countryside, it’s no wonder that France is one of the most visited countries in the world.
February 25th marks Mardi Gras, which is French for “Fat Tuesday”. It’s a celebration prior to the fasting season of Lenten, or Lent, a holiday typically associated with the Catholic faith. Mardi Gras means parties, parades, and widespread indulgences as the festivities get underway later this month.
Students participating in our France, Provence, & the Cote d’Azur tour, will see an array of French lifestyles. Enjoy the views of Paris while cruising down the River Seine, travel to Provence and tour the Nimes amphitheater (once the scene of glorious gladiator fights), and bask in the Mediterranean sun while exploring the beach towns of the Cote d’Azur.
Use this calendar as a resource to teach your students about the history of France and all its unique and interesting destinations.
Questions to ask your students:
- Why do people eat fatty foods on Mardi Gras?
- Discuss the famous landmarks found in France and their significance within the country’s history.
- What is the importance of Carnaval across the globe?