Develop the three key principles of your lesson plan. These can include the location of the cattle drive, daily life on the trails and cowboy culture. While you can divide each of these core areas into subsequent subtopics, it's important to first identify what you're aiming to teach students.
Write out your lesson plans. Include everything from major concepts to supplemental information. For example, when teaching the students about the main trails used on the cattle drive, make a note in your lesson plans to have a large map of the United States at the front of the class. Use an erasable marker to sketch out all of the known cattle trails that were used during this era.
Pick interactive elements to add to your cattle drive lesson plans. When introducing the history unit for the first time, have your digital video projector ready for viewing. Ask your students if they can guess what your next history lesson will be. Instead of answering, play a video clip of a cattle drive, either from a film or television show. When the children see the footage of a cattle drive, they may have greater excitement and anticipation for what they're about to learn.
Teach students about cattle themselves by having a high school Future Farmers of America or 4-H student come to your class and talk to the children about cattle. If your school administration will allow it, see if you can persuade an area farmer to bring in a calf for the children to see.
Instruct the children to write basic stories about the cattle drive. Younger kids won't be able to write an extensive report about this historic era but ensure their stories capture the important facts such as when it happened, how the cowboys moved the cattle and what life was like for the people who lived during this time.
Have a parent or fellow teacher dress up like a 19th century cowboy and come into the classroom. Ensure the cowboy has a correct understanding of the history of this period. Allow students to ask the cowboy questions about the cattle drive and the time back then. If you can find a musical volunteer, ask him to teach your students some cowboy songs that they can then show their family at home.