Bill Pickett Rodeo Ridin’ Cowboy By Andrea D. Pinkney Illustrated by Brian Pinkney Power point by: Jenn James Christa McAuliffe Elementary 4/2011

Focus Questions How did Bill Pickett’s family come to live on the Texas plains? What skills did Bill learn by working on the ranch? For what rodeo stunt was Bill famous?

What do you know about cowboys and rodeos? The first cowboys were from the Mexican and Texan ranches where vaqueros, or Mexican ranch hands, devised the equipment and techniques of the cowboy. Rodeos began around Buffalo Bill Cody was one of the first famous cowboys to arrange rodeos; his first attracted 1,000 cowboys as contestants. This inspired Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Shows that traveled the country showing off the skills of the cowboys. These shows continued for 55 years.

Bulldogging is a skill that cowboys often use while working with cattle. To bulldog is to throw a steer by seizing the horns and twisting the neck to gain control of the animal. Bulldogging was necessary so that cattle could be branded. A brand, like a logo of the owner of the herd, was burned into the skin of cattle with a branding iron which was heated in a fire.

vocabulary trek To pass the time on the slow, steady trek, the southerners sang travelling songs. The hikers prepared for their 10 day trek through the mountains. trek: a long, slow journey

ravage The Civil War ravaged the United States. During the Civil War, soldiers would ravage the land, leaving very little farmland unharmed. ravage: to destroy

vocabulary brazen “Want some help?” Bill called to them. The cowboys looked at the brazen boy and went back to their work. The brazen cat turned and swatted the German shepherd right on the nose. brazen: bold, fearless

vocabulary challenge But one of them put forth a challenge. “Let the boy go ahead and try it, if he dares.” My brother likes to challenge me in chess. challenge: something that may be difficult to do

vocabulary feisty Invented then and there by feisty Bill Pickett, that was bulldogging bite-’em style. The feisty little dog barked at the horse. feisty: frisky and brave, eager for excitement

vocabulary adventure When he was no more than fifteen and still itching for adventure, Bill went out to find his own way. My friends and I planned a wild adventure. We would go camping for three nights and eat only what we could catch. adventure: a fun or exciting experience

Other words: croaker-sacks homespun duds bedclothes lariat parched collards straddled rickety ornery stockyards slew

cornpone breaking ponies mossback cattle dogies mucking broncs gizzard brushpopper High-falutin’ prime Reconstruction

Word Knowledge free-spirited full-scale small-time best-loved These are hyphenated compound words. Can you give a noun which is modified, or explained, by one of these words?

Word Knowledge trail raise plain available These words have the /a/ spelled ai. Name a word with the long a sound spelled this way. What other ways are long a sounds spelled?

Word Knowledge worked performed cheered bulldogged These words have the ending –ed. It is called an inflected ending because of how it sounds duh. Name the root word of each word. How does the –ed change the meaning?

Word Knowledge loudest feistiest closer greater harshest These words are all comparison words using the –est or –er endings. Which words compare two things? Which words compare more than two things?

Sentences Bill Pickett performed in a full-scale rodeo. The crowds cheered as the free-spirited rodeo star rode into the ring. Find the words with –ed endings. Find the words which are hyphenated compound words.

Sentences The horses worked their way down the rocky trail. Find the words with the long a sound spelled ai. What is the subject of this sentence? horses What did the horses do? worked

Sentences Mr. Sanchez concluded that Pedro’s friends were the loudest and feistiest he had ever seen. Find the words with the ending -est. Give the root word of each of these words.

Bill Pickett Rodeo-Ridin’ Cowboy Comprehension Competition

His cousins’ Anderson and Jerry Whose stories sparked Bill’s imagination?

North Carolina From which state did the wagon train come?

They were forced to follow their masters. Why were the black people on the wagon train?

Bill Pickett’s father Who was born on the trip west?

After the Civil War When were the slaves freed?

13 How many children did Thomas and Mary Pickett have?

A dog What animal gave Bill his idea for a way to bulldog?

Willie M. Pickett What was Bill Pickett’s name?

They sold fruits and vegetables. What did Bill’s parents do to make a living?

Cattle drives What did Bill like to watch going by his family’s land?

challenging What vocabulary word means something that may be difficult to do?

Chisholm Trail What was the name of the trail that went past Bill’s family land?

A fair with a rodeo What event did the Williamson County Livestock Association bring to Taylor, Texas?

The first show Bill joined What was the 101 Ranch Wild West Show?

feisty What vocabulary word means frisky and brave, eager for excitement?

7 How many standard events are in a rodeo?

ravage What vocabulary word means to destroy?

Quick as a jackrabbit, more wide- eyed than a hooty owl, and curious How did the author describe Willie Picket?

Texas Where did the story take place?

Cowboys on cattle drives What interested Bill as a child?

brazen What vocabulary word means bold and fearless?

Being away from his family some people didn’t like African- American cowboys What 2 things were hard at first when Bill joined the rodeo?

adventure What vocabulary word means a fun or exciting experience?

Dropped coins in his hat What did people do to show Bill that they liked his riding skills?

trek What vocabulary word means a long, slow journey?

He worked on the ranch. What did Bill do after he stopped traveling with the Wild West show?