Curriculum Based Lesson Plans (View lesson Plans)
Grant-Kohrs Ranch
began an educational outreach program in August 2002. The educational
partnership was launched by Grant-Kohrs Ranch NHS, local school groups,
the University of Montana, and museum management in Washington D.C. to
develop curriculum-based education products. The final product will be
a curriculum based program in the form of pre-visit activities, on-site
or off-site ranger instructed programs, and/or with traveling trunks,
and post-visit tests and activities on and off-line. The materials will
not be developed specifically to state and park significance; rather they
have national importance as they teach about the open range cattle era
in the United States.
Outreach Education Programs (Off-Site) **NEW**
Grant-Kohrs Ranch NHS is excited to offer off-site curriculum-based education programs free of charge to our local community schools (within a limited geographic area). The programs offered meet Montana State Curriculum Standards in either Social Studies or Science. The programs we will be offering are Cowboy Gear, Soil and Exploration, and A Brand is Forever. We will be offering these programs in the months of January, February, and March on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednsdays. If you are interested in scheduling a program or would like some more information please contact the Education Specialist.
Traveling Trunk
The traveling trunk is intended for 4th to 8th grades learning Montana and western U.S. history, focusing on cattlemen, cowboys, and cattle drives, and can be modified to serve younger pupils. The trunk contains period photographs, reproduction clothing, a videotape on Grant-Kohrs Ranch, books, and a teacher's guide with grade-specific activities. It may be checked out for two weeks at no charge, except for shipping to its next destination via UPS or parcel post.
History, Naturally!
Developed for K-12 under a grant from the National Parks Foundation, this program combines a teacher's guide and video for class use with a selection of on-site activities. The guide includes sections on cowboy history and myth with curriculum-based activities and games, and sections relevant to riparian biology for classes visiting the Cottonwood Creek Nature Trail at Grant-Kohrs Ranch NHS. An interdisciplinary approach combines history and biology, and is accompanied by a videotape introducing students to the ranch and the opportunities awaiting them
Ranger-led Programs
National Park Service rangers offer on-site guided tours, blacksmithing or chuckwagon cooking demonstrations, livestock interpretation, nature walks, and more. While most educational groups visit in late April, May, and early June, activities are available year-round as staffing permits. Group visits are best scheduled a minimum of two weeks in advance to make special arrangements.
Related Institutions
Though not affiliated with Grant-Kohrs Ranch NHS, the following institutions provide educational services as well as visitor facilities, and are recommended to those interested in the heritage of the cowboy and cattleman in the western US and Canada.
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Autry Museum of Western Heritage,
4700 Western Heritage Way,
Los Angeles CA 90027-1462
213-667-2000. -
Bar U Ranch National Historic Site,
P.O. Box 168,
Longview, Alberta, Canada TOL 10H
800-568-4996 (Seasonal). -
C.M. Russell Museum,
400 13 Street North,
Great Falls MT 59401
406-727-8787. -
George Ranch Historical Park,
Rt. 1, Box 577,
Richmond TX 77469
281-343-0218. -
Montana Historical Society,
225 North Roberts,
Helena MT 59620
406-444-2694. -
National Cowboy Hall of Fame,
1700 NE 63rd Street,
Oklahoma City OK 73111
405-478-2250. -
The Western Heritage Center,
Box 1477,
Cochrane, Alberta, Canada TOL 0W0
403-932-3514.