Home on the Range
Students will explore the lives of cowboys who traveled the Kansas frontier with herds of Texas cattle after the Civil War.
Many of the tools, skills, and words used by American cowboys trace their beginnings to the vaqueros of Mexico. Discover these connections and find out whether the lives of 1860s Kansas cowboys match what you see in the movies.
Grade Level Recommendation
Grades 3–8
Activities
This program is typically divided into four educational activities, with students rotating between stations. Activities can include, but are not limited to:
- Learning about cowboy gear
- Roping a “steer”
- Branding with a branding iron
- Enjoying a stagecoach ride
“I liked riding in the stagecoach and seeing the entire farm from the stagecoach.” — 3rd grade student
“Always a wonderful experience for our students. Thank you!” — 4th grade teacher
Additional Resources
From Vaquero to Cowboy – Smithsonian Education
Chuckwagon Flip the Story – National Park Service
Curriculum Concepts
This program is designed to meet curriculum standards for Kansas and Missouri schools, including economics, social studies, and history standards.
Request your program today! Your program is not confirmed until you receive a confirmation letter from the Mahaffie staff. Call 913-971-5111 for more information.
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