July 18, 2007: The Life of a Cowboy

The Mini Page is a syndicated, four-page tabloid written for young children found each Wednesday in the Rocky Mountain News. This issue of The Mini Page is available through the eEdition Archive to registered eEdition subscribers. Click here to learn about subscribing to the eEdition at no cost to you (for Colorado teachers).

Activities:

1. Draw a picture of yourself doing a cowboy's work. Now cut out pictures and words from the newspaper that tell something about cowboys. Paste them around your picture.

2. Look in newspaper ads for modern equipment and technology that can help ranchers and cowboys do their work. Paste the items on a piece of paper. Next to each item, write a sentence telling how it could be used in ranching.

3. Draw a large circle on a piece of paper. Divide it into three parts. In one part list the special skills cowboys must have to do their work. In the second part, list the knowledge that cowboys must have. In the third part, list the personal qualities cowboys need.

4. Why would it be important for future cowboys to study these subjects in school: (a) zoology, (b) environmental studies, (c) math, (d) computer technology and (e) English?

5. Use resource books and the Internet to learn more about work horses. Use these questions to guide your research:

• What different ways are horses used in ranching?
• Which breeds of horses are used most frequently?
• Why do cowboys or ranchers prefer specific breeds?
• What physical characteristics of horses make them good partners for cowboys?
• What behavioral qualities of horses make them good workers?

Write a paragraph about your findings.

This week's standards:

• Students explore factors that contribute to one's personal identity, such as interests, capabilities and perceptions. (Social Studies: Individual development)
• Students develop skills in identifying, evaluating, and using a variety of resources for exploring personal, educational and career choices. (Career development)
  
  

(standards by Dr. Sherrye D. Garrett, Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi)