This month at SMKN 8 Makassar, ETA Sydney Grafals brought Louisiana energy to campus with a Mardi Gras celebration. As part of America250, commemorating the 250th anniversary of the United States, the school highlighted one US state and a celebration uniquely rooted in American culture: Louisiana’s Mardi Gras.

In the weeks leading up to the event, Mardi Gras was integrated into English lessons through procedural text activities. Students practiced reading comprehension by following step-by-step instructions to create their own masquerade masks. Using sequencing words and new vocabulary, they cut, colored, and decorated with focus (and plenty of glitter).

At lunch, all English classes gathered on the field for a presentation on the history of Mardi Gras and its celebration in the US. Students learned about parades, beads, krewes, and king cake before putting their knowledge to the test through themed English games. Each student received a slice of cake, and cheers erupted when one student found the tiny plastic baby traditionally hidden inside a king cake for good luck.

The celebration ended with students wearing their handmade masks while Sydney and the English teachers tossed beads and small toys from the school balcony, closing out an America250 highlight that connected Makassar to Louisiana through language, culture, and fun.

Sydney Grafals is currently teaching at SMKN 8 Makassar, South Sulawesi.