By Gail GIbbons

Prior Knowledge

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What prior knowledge

do you have about cowhands

and the Old West?

Questions about

Cowboys or Cowgirls

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Why was life in the

Old West hard?

What did cowhands needto know to do

their job?

What was acattle drive

like?

ranchers tending profit

corral stray market

Diagrams with labels

Expository Nonfiction

Explains information

and ideas

Paragraphs with main idea and

supporting details

Picture Walk

1. Look over the title pages 170 and 171. Predict where the story takes place, the setting.

2. Examine the picture on page 173. Would the clothes you wear today be good ones to wear on a cattle drive? Why or why not?

3. On page 174-175 there is a diagram of a horse. Read the captions carefully. Why do you think the saddle was so important to the cowboy?

4. Examine page 176. What is the cowboy doing?

1. Turn to page 178. Why do you think the cattle were marked or branded?

2. Examine the map on page 179. What state did the trail drives end?

3. Look at the pictures on pages 180. Cowboys had special jobs during the trail drive. If you were a cowboy, would you rather be a wrangler, point rider, or trail boss?

4. Turn to page 182 and 183. What is happening in these illustrations.

5. Turn to page 184. How do you think cowboys and cowgirls show off their skills?

Purpose for Reading

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During Reading

(Three Ring Circus)

You may choose to read in one of the following ways:

• With a partner

• With your teacher

• By yourself

During Reading

Main Idea and Details

Read pages: 172-173

Main Idea:

Cowhands tended cattle in the Old West.

Supporting Detail:

Main Idea:

A cowboy’s clothing was chosen for rough wear and tear.

Supporting Detail: