Kentucky Derby Lesson Plan

Homeschool Teacher - Lesson Plan & Newsletter
May 17, 2007
History
On this day in 1875, the first Kentucky Derby was held. Learn more about it here:
http://www.derbymuseum.org/derbyedu/programs_online/KDM_4-12_SocStudies.pdf



Journal
Create an advertisement for the Kentucky Derby. The advertisement can be a brochure, video, song, or radio/television/newspaper spot. Include relevant advertising information of who, what, where, when, why, and how.

Reading
And They’re Off!

Horse owner, Hal McGrath, entered two horses in the 1875 Kentucky Derby,
Chesapeake and Aristides (aire es tie deez). Chesapeake was considered to be the better of his two horses. Mr. McGrath’s plan was to have Aristides keep a fast pace during the first part of the race, so when he tired near the homestretch, his stable mate, Chesapeake, could come from behind and win.

The race began with Volcano in the lead, closely followed by Verdigris, Aristides
and McCreery. Chesapeake had started the race poorly. On the backstretch, Aristides moved into second, but Volcano continued to keep the lead for a short distance until Aristides moved into the lead. The rest of the field was spread out for over one hundred yards.

At the head of the homestretch, jockey Oliver Lewis on Aristides, looked for
Chesapeake to come ahead, but he was nowhere near the lead. Standing at
the head of the stretch, McGrath waved his hat toward the finish line
shouting, "Go on!" Immediately, Aristides moved out to win by one length,
with Volcano coming in a close second.

Oliver Lewis was one of thirteen African-American jockeys in the first Derby.
African-American jockeys won fifteen of the first twenty-eight Derbys.

Discussion Questions:
1. How many horses did Hal McGrath enter in the 1875 Kentucky Derby?
2. Name the horse(s).
3. What was Hal McGrath’s racing strategy?
4. Who was the jockey working for Hal McGrath?
5. Which horse did he ride?
6. How did Hal McGrath signal the jockey?
7. How far ahead was the winning horse?


Science
Try one of these science experiments:
http://www.derbymuseum.org/derbyedu/programs_online/KDM_4-12_Science.pdf



Don’t Forget the Math Challenge!

http://homeschoolingthemiddleyears.blogspot.com/2007/05/math-challenge-may-17.html

For more Free Homeschool Lesson Plans

http://homeschoolingk.blogspot.com/ (k-3)

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