In March, we started off our road schooling series with a whirlwind trip through Florida. We saved some injured animals at a wildlife refuge, took a journey to the center of the Earth, protected the coastline from pirates, and traveled to space. As we continue on our 21-day road trip, planning out our daughter’s education is atop our to-do list. Lucky for us, road schooling is the perfect solution.
As I noted last time, road schooling is literally school on the road. As more and more families ditch conformity, this form of homeschooling which incorporates curriculum with lessons drawn from your surroundings is growing in popularity.
This time, we are exploring the swamps of Louisiana and reveling in the majesty of the mighty Mississippi River. The “Pelican State” is the first and last state we will be visiting. On the way out, we will tackle I-10 heading east. Then, we will take I-20 through the northern part of the state on our westbound journey home.
Let’s get going!
1) Longfellow-Evangeline State Historic Site – St. Martinville
Louisiana’s first state park is a prime stop for our road schooling bus, located approximately 20 miles from I-10 near Lafayette. Standing at a cultural crossroads, the Longfellow-Evangeline State Historic Site is a beacon of days past. It honors the story of an Acadian woman named Evangeline who was separated from her beloved during the Acadians’ expulsion from Nova Scotia and the author who told her tale, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow.
The on-site Maison Olivier Creole plantation offers a look at 19th-century life, as well as intersecting architectural styles and sweeping views of the Bayou Teche. St. Martinville, the state’s third-oldest city, has deep Cajun roots with many of its residents linking their ancestry to revolutionary heroes and refugees alike. The mingling of French and Native American cultures left a unique mark on the region.
Lesson Plan
Subjects: History, Science, Language Arts & Reading, Poetry, Geography
Topics: Revolution, Human Migration, Agriculture, Limnology
A great way to bring some context to this lesson would be to have your little one read Longfellow’s poem, Evangeline: A Tale of Acadie. Better yet, read it to or with your young pupil. It may be a bit advanced for your average 2nd grader but it paints a beautiful portrait of life at the time, especially for a displaced person forced into the region.
We have been using the poetry lessons on Under the Home to introduce Sarah to the wonderful world of verse, stanza, and rhythm. A fun exercise to round out the reading of Longfellow’s work would be to have your little one pick out their favorite verse to copy, memorize, and recite while on the road.
The discussion could expand the story into a broader historical concept of the French Revolution and how migrants fled to America. Of course, this will incorporate geography. So, don’t forget a map!
The Bayou Teche is a marvelous subject for the study of rivers given that it was originally the main course of the Mississippi River. The wide array of birds that wade among the cattails and the large mossy oaks will aide in teaching about ecosystems and habitats. Animals always bring out those smiles with the younger ones.
Visitation
Hours: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. (closed Thanksgiving, Christmas, & New Year’s Day)
Fees: $4 per person; Free for seniors age 62 and older, and children age 3 and under
Don’t Miss! The Louisiana Office of State Parks offers a Junior Ranger program for children age 7 and older. The program allows children to learn more about the outdoors by completing various activities on a Junior Ranger punch card and handbook. Upon completion, participants will receive a personalized certificate recognizing the accomplishment.
2) Steamboat Natchez – New Orleans
Who is ready for a step back in time on a steamboat straight out of the history books? The Steamboat Natchez gives you just that opportunity. Ninth in a long line of steamers, the newest Natchez was launched in 1975 and continues the tradition as the undisputed champion of the Mississippi, never having been beaten in a race.
In her daily two-hour jazz cruises, you will enjoy period entertainment and professional narration while touring the majestic river. The steamer departs from the Toulouse St. Wharf (behind JAX Brewery) and glides past the French Quarter and through the port.
Lesson Plan
Subjects: History, Ecology, Music, World Economy
Topics: Trade, Jazz, Steam Power, Ship Design
The best way to get your road schooling adventure churning down the river is to check out “The Mighty Mississippi Electronic Field Trip.”
The 56-minute documentary takes students on a 2,000-mile journey from the headwaters at Lake Itasca in Minnesota through the swamps of south Louisiana and into the Gulf of Mexico!
After your journey, head over to the “Schools & Scouts” section of the Steamboat Natchez website. Here you will find some fun resources such as trivia, steamboat specifications, and a steamboat guide. The “History” page is another wonderful resource for building exceptional lesson plans that highlight the fascinating story of steamboats in New Orleans. There is a wealth of information, ranging from factoids about the boat’s copper bell or 25-ton white oak great wheel to the storied past of steamboat races. Add in the ambient Gilded Age music and you have got yourself quite a dynamic lesson.
Visitation
Hours: 11:30 a.m., 2:30 p.m., 7 p.m. (2-hour cruises; boarding begin 30 minutes prior to departure)
Fees: Afternoon Sightseeing Cruise – $38 (adults); $15.50 (kids 6-12); Free (kids 2-5); Evening Cruise – $50 (adults); $24.50 (kids 6-12); Free (kids 2-5) Additional cost to add Lunch/Dinner to cruise.
3) Jackson Square & French Quarter – New Orleans
Located in the heart of the “Crescent City,” New Orleans’s French Quarter is one of the most notable places in the world. Known for its eclectic mix of restaurants and bars, and popular events like Mardi Gras, it is so famous that it has even been replicated at Disneyland Resort in California.
The picturesque wrought-iron balconies, adorable horse-drawn carriages, and scintillating jazz music paint a vivid portrait of the rich heritage sprawling street-to-street. It is a vibrant place with something for all ages.
A particular favorite of mine is Jackson Square. Formerly a trading camp where voyagers exchanged goods, Jackson Square is the hub around which the energetic city grew. The square is chock full of historical significance. In the 1800s it was called Place d’Armes and was an important location in the signing of the Louisiana Purchase.
Jackson Square has since been converted into an open-air artist colony surrounded by culturally significant points of interest like St. Louis Cathedral (the oldest Roman Catholic Cathedral in North America), Café du Monde (serving scrumptious beignets since the Civil War), and the French Market (former Native American trading post).
Lesson Plan
Subjects: World History, Economy, Music, Religion, Linguistics, Science
Topics: Louisiana Purchase, Trade, Communication, Cultural Events/Music, Natural Disasters
It is difficult to pick where to start this road schooling adventure. There is astonishingly so much to choose from in the relatively small area. New Orleans is our metaphorical oyster for elementary education. The French Quarter Management District published a detailed article about the history of the French Quarter which is very useful in building a lesson plan.
We must remember (especially history buffs like me) that our little 2nd graders are not typically the most interested in history lessons. So, how do we integrate education in a place that is steeped in history? Quick answer: be creative.
Let’s just pick out pre-automobile transportation. Standing at the corner of Decatur and St. Ann Street across from Café du Monde, contemplate what the busy street looked like when nothing but horse and carriage frequented its path. Better yet, before you discuss the horse and buggy, ask your little one what other kinds of transportation may have been used. Be sure to keep in mind those carriages for our next stop in the Garden District.
As you stroll through Jackson Square, imagine how different the public place would have looked when public executions were common. Maybe swap out the blood and guts discussion for one of French voyageurs trading goods in the square. Or, divert the conversation to a bit about religion as you gaze up at the St. Louis Cathedral.
The Southern Food and Beverage Museum provides some free resources that you can print out and use to discuss the Columbian Exchange. This is a fantastic segue into a delicious meal of Cajun or Creole cuisine.
During your meal, take the opportunity to discuss weather, natural disasters, and the impact of tropical storms on the city. There is a plethora of photos showing the flood waters that engulfed Jackson Square and the French Quarter during Hurricane Katrina. If you have time, take a quick drive over to the Katrina Memorial to cap off the science lesson.
Visitation
Hours: Varies
Fees: Varies
4) Garden District – New Orleans
The storied Garden District is a good place to put your walking shoes on. For many visitors, a stroll up St. Charles Avenue will elicit love at first sight as the oak tree lined streets and historic homes come into view. The Garden District is located a short drive or streetcar from Jackson Square, a mere 20-minute journey for us from our campsite.
When I read through the City of New Orleans Historic District Landmarks Commission information sheet for the Garden District, I felt myself swept away into the world of Jay Gatsby and Daisy Buchanan. It was established by the New Orleans’s American elite in the late 1840s, ultimately developing into a bastion of luxurious residences. These sprawling mansions are masterfully designed and quite the splendor to behold.
The Garden District is also home to one of the city’s oldest cemeteries (Lafayette Cemetery No. 1), one of the most well-known restaurants in New Orleans (Commander’s Palace), and a handful of celebrities. For the vampire enthusiast, the Garden District was the inspiration to many settings in Anne Rice’s Vampire Chronicles. So, keep your eyes peeled for Lestat.
Lesson Plan
Subjects: Social Studies, History, Literary Arts, Architecture, STEM
Topics: Local Culture, Architectural Style, Society, American History
Teaching architecture to a 2nd grader may not be the most successful endeavor as it will be difficult for the young brain to conceptualize design trends and practices. Similarly, Anne Rice’s novels are a bit out of reach for our little one. That doesn’t mean a trip to the Garden District should derail our road schooling train.
A great way to get your little architect in the right frame of mind is to check out Crash Course Kids. This YouTube channel has a wonderful (and short) lesson on architecture that clearly defines the process in a way a kid can understand. The American Institute of Architects also provides some resources that will enhance your lessons, like this fun activity book.
Expanding beyond the opulent late-Victorian and Greek-Revival homes, you can discuss how culture has impacted not only the architectural style but the local lifestyle as well. The area was originally several plantations which were eventually sold off to wealthy Americans who wanted to escape the Creoles in the French Quarter. This history makes for a fascinating discussion that brings out the whimsical nature of New Orleans, clearly showing why it is so often the subject of literary reference.
Visitation
Hours: Since the area is comprised primarily of private residences, be respectful when visiting and refrain from being a nuisance, especially after dark.
Fees: Free
Various tours are offered for a fee. We recommend checking out these free walking tours.
5) Poverty Point World Heritage Site – Pioneer
On our way back from “The Most Magical Place on Earth” we plan on hooking it up North and returning to Texas on I-20. So, for our last road schooling stop, let’s jump ahead to the return journey. Acknowledging that we will be in Day 19 or 20 of the trip by the time we cross the Mississippi-Louisiana state line, I cannot guarantee we will want to take the 24-minute detour off of I-20W to see Poverty Point. Let’s just see how 7-month-old Adrian (who is screaming right here beside me while I type) is doing at that time. Ha!
The site is totally worth it if we can muster the energy! Poverty Point is a massive Native American site with a towering man-made mound in northeastern Louisiana. Deemed one of the most important Native American sites in North America, Poverty Point was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2014. The cultural importance is due in large part to the remarkably complex array of earthen mounds and ridges built by the inhabitants.
It is believed that the society who built these earthen structures was pre-agricultural (before the Mayans built their pyramids) making the enormous feat all the more impressive. Estimates suggest 53 million cubic feet of soil was needed to construct the mounds. At 75-100 pounds per cubic foot, that is A LOT of dirt!
A story 3,400 years in the making, Poverty Point is a “trading hub, an engineering marvel, a monument to ingenuity,” but most importantly for our young scholars, a place to imagine the past and learn how teamwork truly makes the dream work.
Lesson Plan
Subjects: Prehistory, Social Studies, STEM, Anthropology, Archaeology
Topics: Native Americans, Trade, Engineering, Design, Problem Solving
A distinct pleasure about Poverty Point is that the Louisiana Division of Archaeology provides some pre-built lesson plans for K-12. Equally refreshing is the sheer amount of teaching kit materials available, making this road schooling stop an educator’s paradise.
It is hard enough to fathom the difficulty of building such a large structure for an adult, much less an 8-year-old. Since we will be traveling with one bag for all three of us, I think it will probably weigh around 50 pounds. That is close enough to run a little experiment that includes my little monster lugging that thing up the nearest hill when we park. From there, we can start to paint the picture of what is in store at this remarkable site.
Here is an exceptional interactive exhibit complete with engaging content and videos. I strongly recommend accessing this before you are on the road when you have a reliable internet connection.
Another fun interactive exhibit takes a deeper look at the cultural context, mound design, and use of artifacts by Native Americans. This one can be printed out for on-the-road reference (we are definitely doing this even if we don’t make it out).
Here you can find teaching materials that range from activity guides to PowerPoint presentations to Traveling Trunks. The Traveling Trunks are an amazing educational tool that includes real and replica artifacts! You can request one and you will receive all of the material in the mail and be able to keep it with you for up to two weeks. It looks like this option is only available to traditional educators but I will reach out and let you know if they offer them to homeschooling families.
Visitation
Hours: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m., daily (except Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day)
Fees: $4 per person; Free for seniors (62 and over); Free for children (3 and under)
The NExT Chapter
If you have made it this far, that means you must have found something along the way that piqued your interest. I’m grateful you chose to spend some of your valuable time with me today and hope you will join our journey as we build our travel business, make new friends, and blog about the experience. Please spread the word to anyone you think may find this information useful or interesting.
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Before we go, here is a list of other places worth adding to your road schooling itinerary:
Creole Nature Trail Adventure Point – Sulphur
Acadian Village – Lafayette
Children’s Museum – Lake Charles
Mardi Gras Museum of Imperial Calcasieu – Lake Charles
Vermilionville – Lafayette
New Orleans Swamp Tours – Lafitte
Chemin-A-Haut State Park – Bastrop
River Road African American Museum – Donaldsonville
Magnolia Mound Plantation – Baton Rouge
The Singing Oak – New Orleans
Storyland – New Orleans
Jean Lafitte National Historic Park – Marrero
Bonnie & Clyde Ambush Museum – Gibsland
American Rose Center – Shreveport
Water Works Museum – Shreveport
Next time, we will work our way through Mississippi. I cannot wait to see what “The Magnolia State” has in store for us!
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See you next time and don’t forget to travel mindfully!
Think Big. Act Small. Travel with Purpose.
-Michael
~ Change the world one nameless stranger at a time. ~
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