Teachers Page

Introduction

My love of local history and disappointment concerning the status of Kiel Ranch prompted me to design this webquest. I believe that it is important that our students develop an appreciation for local history as it is an important component of community building,.  This lesson has several objectives, first is to familiarize students with the long and interesting history of Kiel Ranch, second is to give students the opportunity to examine and think about primary source documents, and third is to get students involved in their local government. 

Learners

While I designed this webquest with my 11th grade US History class in mind it can be used in middle school as well as the upper elementary grades.   

Curriculum Standards

This webquest would be appropriate during discussions of Mormon settlement of the West, Las Vegas history, and life in the Old West

Nevada State Standard 7.0: 1860 to 1920: Students understand the importance and impact of political, economic, and social ideas.
7.8.5 Describe the western Frontier. including communication, Pony express, telegraphy, farming and water issues. mining, ranching,
7.12.5 Describe the role of farming railroads, mining in the settlement of the West.

Process

I designed this webquest to be an individual activity particularly suited for a computer lab environment. Due to the flexibility of the  webquest, however,   there are a variety of ways you can use this.
 

Resources Needed

Internet computer with Adobe Acrobat installed , if you would like to use this as a class exercise a media projector is recommended 

Evaluation

There are a variety of ways in which to evaluate this webquest depending on the level of the learners, I designed this to be an individual project so grades will be assigned upon student responses to questions on the web quest answer sheet as well as quality of the student essay.  More advanced students could also write letters (email) to the North Las Vegas City Council or do more research concerning the ranch.

Conclusion

I would like to thank you for using this web quest and I hope that your students have a better appreciation of local history. Because Kiel Ranch is  in a state of peril  I am participating in ongoing efforts to save the ranch if you are interested in volunteering in this cause please visit the Preservation Association of Clark County , Currently Kiel is not open to the public but I am engaged in on going efforts to organize visits for teachers, if you are interested in participating please email me jahinton@interact.ccsd.net

References

Carlson, Helen S.  Nevada Place Names.  Reno, Nevada: University of Nevada Press, 1974.

Davis, Sam P. , ed.,  The History of Nevada , Las Vegas, Nevada: Nevada Publications.

Jensen, Andrew  ed., "History of the Las Vegas Mission," Nevada Historical Society Papers  Reno, Nevada: Reno Printing  Co.,1926

Jensen, David. "Losee Ranch--Its Shadows and Reflection." North Las Vegas Valley Times. Jan 22, 1970.

Lewis, Georgia. "Bouderado Dude Ranch, a Never-Never Land." The Nevadan. September 7, 1975. 

Lewis, Georgia. "Then the Cowboys Rode into Kyle Ranch." The Nevadan. September 7, 1975. 

Mills, Dorothy. "Bumpy Dirt Roads and Sprawling Ranch Greeted the Craigs in 1929."  North Las Vegas Valley Times. June 23, 1973,

Mills, Dorothy. "Dusty, Treeless Townsite Greets Young Bride in 1910." North Las Vegas Valley Times. June 21, 1973,

Mills, Dorothy. "Equestrian Recalls Kiel Ranch Memories." North Las Vegas Valley Times. July 17, 1973

Mills, Dorothy. "Memories of 19 years on Kyle Ranch." North Las Vegas Valley Times. June 20, 1973,

Mills, Dorothy. "Trail Rides and Bonfires Liven Early Kyle Ranch Days." North Las Vegas Valley Times. July 13, 1973,

Paher, Stanley W. , Las Vegas--As it Began--As it Grew Las Vegas, Nevada: Nevada Publications, 1971

Roske, Ralph J. , Las Vegas a Desert Paradise Tulsa, Oklahoma: Continental Heritage Press, 1986

Shaffer, Robert.  "Kiel Ranch Has Mystery History," Valley Times, May 13, 1979, p16

Townley, Carrie Miller . "Helen J. Stewart: First Lady of Las Vegas (Part 1), Nevada Historical Society Quarterly, Winter, 1973

Woods, Fred. A Gamble in the Desert: The Mormon Mission in Las Vegas (1855-1857)  Salt Lake City, Utah: Mormon Historic Sites Foundation, 2005.