East Meets “Old” West
Lake City Elementary students were recently presented with an exciting learning opportunity. Students were taught a unique history lesson from a real-life cowboy, Mr. Billy Winchester. Mr. Winchester, dressed in period attire sitting atop of one of the three horses he brought, gave the students some personal insight into what life was like in the “Old” West and other places before modern transportation, followed by a question and answer session.
He taught the students about horses and how cowboys used them to herd cattle. He taught students scientific facts about how horses see, and how they react in different situations and to different stimuli. Several student volunteers demonstrated this by moving back and forth in front of the horse, as though to simulate a stray cow, showing how horses keep cattle in front of them during the herding process.
Mr. Winchester also taught student about the cowboy’s rope, or lasso, and how it was used in roping. Although no real cattle were used in the demonstration, Mr. Winchester modeled the steps of roping using several hay squares, one with a plastic steer’s head attached, as the students cheered with each successful toss.
The exhibition made history come alive. The students were very excited to be up close and able to see, feel and hear something that many of them had only seen on TV and in pictures or movies.