All the Pretty Horses Lesson Plan

How to Break a Horse

Kind of Activity:

Classwide Discussion

Objective:

Students will analyze the video and summarize what is involved in breaking a horse.

Common Core Standards:

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.9-10.1, CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.9-10.5, CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.9-10.1

Structure:

Chapter Two of All the Pretty Horses includes over 10 pages of John Grady breaking 16 horses in four days. The book makes it clear that this is a difficult (nearly impossible) feat. As most students probably have no idea what working on a ranch involves, including the process of "breaking horses," helping them more clearly understand this process can make them feel more connected to and engaged...