Howdy from Houston, Texas where the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo events take place every March/April (dates vary). You might have heard the phrase “Texas, is a whole other country!”, well if you’re in town during rodeo season you’ll see one reason why. I was such a naive teacher for my first rodeo season. 🙂 The trail riders coming into the city are quite a hoot: seeing horses and wagons along side the freeways on the feeder roads make you feel like you’re in a time warp. It’s pretty exciting. The opening day is referred to as “Go Texan Day!”.  Everyone (mail carriers, cashiers, doctors), I mean, everyone will find their hats and boots to show their Texas pride.The kiddos come to school dressed in their best cowboy/cowgirl duds. All those hats and boots make for an interesting school day. Usually by lunch time, I’ve asked a couple of kiddos to put their hats away, because being a cowpoke was just too distracting. 😉 During the weeks of the Livestock Show and Rodeo, we discuss the lifestyle and work of cowboys/cowgirls. The purposes for their clothing and gear i.e. using their bandana to cover their nose and mouth on the dusty trails, using their hat to shade themselves from the sun, wearing boots to protect their feet, and the rope skills needed when taking care of livestock. Through various resources, we learn about the realities of being out on the trail, working from sun-up to sun-down, and taking care of the animals. It’s not quite as glamorous as they think. Here’s a product to enhance your study of the life of a cowboy/cowgirl:
Vocabulary Cards: Use the vocabulary cards to introduce the topic. Place the word cards in a pocket chart or in view of the students, read through them, and discuss how their definitions address the topic.

ABC Order:  Version 1 has 5 words and Version 2 has 12 words with two writing line options. You can put the story vocabulary cards at the station for the kiddos to organize, if alphabetizing is a new skill.


Word Searches: Version 1 has 5 words and Version 2 has 12 words. The words do not share letters. The words can be forwards, backwards, horizontal, vertical or diagonal.

“Self-Check” cards are provided to put at a station or for you, when you just can’t think another thought.

All activities offer a choice of color or blackline clipart.

Hopefully, you’ll make it to town during rodeo season. It’s truly something to see.
Happy trails partners,