Learning About Life
In the Wild West

Fourth graders at Fred Douglass ES learned first hand about life in the Wild West. The activities included in the Wild West Day were planned to culminate the unit of study on pioneers and westward expansion. The teachers wanted students to experience the sites, sounds, and smells of history as it was before electricity changed lives forever. They wanted to give students the chance to explore the history of Texas in a more hands-on, kid-friendly format. The activities available for student participation included story telling with Ron & Jo Dennis; a wagon ride with Ann & Roy Durrett & Joshua Barton; horse whisperers: Kathy & Bill Conrad; campfire songs with Jacki & Sharon Watson & Bonnie Owens Gibson; a blacksmith demonstration by Mickey Wagner; campfire cooking under the direction of Doyle Bodiford. Others who helped with the Wild West activities included Amy & Dough Barton and Stephanie & Peter Byrne. The teachers and students want to thank these volunteers who made this activity such a success.