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Welcome
On Mardi Gras day another Rex parade will roll through the streets of New Orleans. Parade watchers will see beautifully decorated floats and scramble for beads and doubloons thrown by the floats' riders. The Rex parade has been part of the rich tradition of Mardi Gras in New Orleans since the earliest days of this unique celebration.
Part of that long tradition is honored in the selection of the parade theme and float titles of each year's "procession." Historically, the themes and individual float titles chosen for each year's parade have been drawn from the rich worlds of mythology, literature, history, and the arts. Each of these parades, therefore, brings to colorful life a wonderful and interesting world, a world that invites exploration. |
"Spirits of Spring"
The theme for the 2009 Rex Procession is "Spirits of Spring." Ancient cultures looked forward to and celebrated the arrival of Spring after the dark days of winter, and this magical time inspired the creation of beautiful symbols of renewal and rebirth.
From Persephone to Poseidon to Eostre, ancient cultures created legends, myths, and festivals celebrating the arrival of Spring after the harsh winter. Flowers, bees, butterflies, and bears awakening from hibernation—all have become symbols of Spring's season of renewal.
Rex's 2009 Parade theme was also meant to symbolize the renewal and rebirth of the City of New Orleans. The many symbols of this awakening time of the year provide wonderful materials for creative exploration in classrooms. |
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Teaching Materials
Within these Rex in the Classroom pages you will find materials describing this year's Rex Procession, including parade notes, illustrations, and web links.
In the Teachers' Corner we will post suggestions and teaching aids to help students as they explore the many ways the moon has inspired myths, art, poems, and songs. The emphasis is on web-based research, learning, and presentation methods.
These students at Louise S. McGehee School are using laptop computers to work on their Rex in the Classroom projects. |
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Student Work
Student work will be posted to the extent possible as it is submitted, and materials from past years' parades and projects can be found in the Archives.
Parade bulletins will be provided for participating classrooms. If you would like to have additional information about "Rex in the Classroom," or have teaching suggestions or student work to submit, please contact us. |
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