Images of Cowboys (one-day lesson)

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Overview

In popular culture, cowboys are generally presented as white men. In this lesson, students will begin to complicate the image of the cowboy that is presented in popular culture. Students will read about Native American, African American, Mexican, and Canadian Cowboys. For homework, they will analyze a classroom textbook's depiction of cowboys.

Learning Goals:

  • Students will read about Native American, African-American, Mexican, and Canadian cowboys.
  • Students will analyze a classroom textbook to see how it portrays cowboys.

DAY ONE

Website Materials:

Step 1: 10 minutes: Examine photographs

a) Ask students to write down a description of a typical cowboy. Encourage students to be as specific as possible (i.e., race, gender, clothing, speech, etc.).

b) Write student responses on the board. Ideally, students will say that cowboys were white, male, gun-slinging, 19th century historical characters.

c) Pass out “Photographs of Cowboys” and ask students:

  • In what ways are the images in the photographs similar or different from the descriptions you’ve generated?

Step 2: 15 minutes: Jigsaw

a) Arrange students in four groups, and assign to each group one of the following readings:

  • “Vaqueros”
  • “African American Cowboy”
  • “Canadian Cowboy”
  • “Indian Cowboys and Cowboy Indians”

b) Students should read their document and answer questions.

Step 3: 25 minutes: Jigsaw, part 2

a) Re-arrange students into groups of four, where each member of the group has read a different document.

b) Ask students to share their document with the group and answer the following question:

  • How does this information complicate the image of a cowboy as a white, 19th century, male figure?

Homework

Have students find the description of cowboys in the classroom textbook. Students should answer the following questions:

  • Does the textbook description include the information we learned in class?
  • What would you add to the textbook’s description of cowboys?
  • Write a letter to the textbook editor suggesting some edits to their coverage of cowboys. Cite evidence from the worksheets that we read in class.

EVALUATION CRITERIA:

In order to meet standards on this assignment, students must fulfill the following criteria:

  • Letter to the editor must reflect an understanding of the diverse backgrounds of cowboys.
  • Letter must use direct evidence from the worksheets.
  • Writing must be clear and persuasive.

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