1. Subject Area: Social Studies Grade Level: 11 (Westward Expansion)
Cowboys’ Jobs
Subject Area: Social Studies
Grade Level: 11 (Westward Expansion)
Lesson Objective: Students will be able to accurately describe a cattle drive and show knowledge of the different types of cowboy jobs and jargon used by cowboys in the West.
Overview: Students will be introduced to job summaries and equipment used by cowboys in the West and plan a cattle drive.
Lesson:
1. Read the “Help Wanted” sign, and break down the hours, working conditions,
and equipment needed.
2. Discuss why cows had to be driven East, specific job titles, equipment used by
cowboys, and how cattle drives occurred.
3. Students will take a key leadership role in a cattle drive and apply their
knowledge to planning a cattle drive.
4. Students will use their maps from the previous day to show daily planning for a
cattle drive from San Antonio, TX to Wichita, KS.
 Extension:
1. Students will further develop mapping skills by using their maps from yesterday.
2. Upon learning about pioneer lives in the next few days, students should be able to compare and
contrast cowboys’ daily lives with that of pioneers.
3. Students will be able to build upon this knowledge to understand the issues between ranchers and
farmers and subsequent inventions (i.e. barbed wire, the need for western railroads).

2. Cowboys’ Jobs Wanted: Cowboy
Need a man to ride swing for a cattle drive to herd cattle from dawn to dusk and also 2 hour shift every night. Must provide own horse and tack and accept responsibility for all job hazards. Apply in person at the Tri-X Ranch.

3. Cowboys’ Jobs WHY did they have to herd cattle????? Wanted: Cowboy
Need a man to ride swing for a cattle drive to herd cattle from dawn to dusk and also 2 hour shift every night. Must provide own horse and tack and accept responsibility for all job hazards. Apply in person at the Tri-X Ranch.
Position? _______________________
Starting Time: ___________________
Quitting Time: __________________
Extra shifts? ____________________
Job hazards? ____________________
____________________
Equipment? ____________________
WHY did they have to herd cattle?????

4. Cowboys’ Jobs
Cowboy Job Titles Lead or Point – 2 men ride on either side of cattle to keep them headed in right direction Swing and Flank – ride in pairs at intervals alongside herd Drag – rode behind herd to hurry up stragglers Ride Night – 2 hour shifts where pairs of riders circled herd to look for predators

5. Cowboys’ Equipment Stetson hat-used to keep sun/rain off
Bandana- kept dust out of mouth/nose
Why are some of these words of Spanish origin?
Lariat – lasso to rope cows
Boots – w/ heels to stay in stirrup straps
Chaps – protected legs from brush
Spurs- urge horse on

6. Cattle Drive Departure: San Antonio, TX Destination: Wichita, KS
Cattle Drive=600 MILES
Each one of you will fill a key position in the cattle drive. For an explanation of each position, see p. 519.
Trail Boss: ______________________
Segundo: _______________________
Cook: __________________________
Wrangler: _______________________

7. Cattle Drive
Each position is responsible for obtaining the needed items for the trip.
On a notecard, please place your job title and the items necessary for
your trip. The Trail Boss and the Segundo may work together as they
would for these jobs. EXAMPLE: Trail Boss/Segundo – how many hands
are needed for the number of cattle taken? Cook – estimate how much
food to take, and what types of food (remember – no refrigeration!).
Wrangler – how many horses are needed?
Lastly, you will need to plan your trip on the map. In making these
decisions, you will need to figure how fast you will be able to move each
day. Please map out your camping position for the end of each day.