Before assigning a reading about a highly cultural American topic, such as stereotypes of the Old West and cowboys and Indians, show a clip from a related movie, a traditional “B” cowboy movie, in this case, many of which are available on the Internet. Showing the interaction between the two groups highlights the cultural difference and the conflict. Stereotypes held by the movie makers about Indians as a violent group can also be discussed.
By seeing the movie, students then have a deeper understanding of the topic and are primed for the reading and its discussion of the conflicts during the expansion westward and the stereotypes held of different groups.