Sled Dog Ed

Hello Educators!

I hope you all had a chance to read my article “Introducing Sled Dog Ed U. Cation”. After writing my introduction, I meandered on back to the dog yard to take a rest but thoughts ran through my mind that many of you may be wondering how this sled dog knows so much about teaching. Well, here’s the scoop.

The kids come home from school and they come right to the kennel to see me, Ed. I immediately ask them what they did in school, as I have been known to be “nosy”. The kids tell me about projects and lessons they do that are Iditarod themed. Being totally impressed and knowing Zuma, I volunteered to share what the kids are so excited about to get the word out about Iditarod as a theme for education. I even sent a note to school with the kids inviting the teacher to the kennel for not one, but many visits and interviews. The teacher is very impressed with me and even invites me to come to school with the kids. After all, I am retired and have time on my paws. It’s cool because the kids read to me, and they even write to me at the kennel. I learn a lot from them and the teachers.

Right now the students are working on researching various parts of the Iditarod and Alaskan cultures. The biggest concern has been where to find information. So I thought I would share a bit about the fabulous Iditarod Website and what it has to offer educators. Remember, I was a lead dog…so hop on my sled and let’s take a tour of what the website has for you as a teacher.

Iditarod.com Home Page (along the left side):
*Teacher on the Trail: trail lesson plans and ideas that are published almost weekly during the school year by the current Iditarod Teacher on the Trail™ and former ones as well; the same information may also be accessed through the “Education” tab

*Eye on the Trail: blog by Terrie Hanke, 2006 Teacher on the Trail™ (gives stories and information about what is happening during the actual race)

*The Armchair Musher: blog by Sebastian Schnuelle, former Iditarod musher (writes updates about mushers from the trail)

*Iditarod Trail Committee Facebook: contains recent information about the race and its preparation

Use the tabs at the top of the Iditarod.com Home Page to access the following information in each section:
*Race Center: musher profiles, race map, current standings, checkpoints, race archives, weather, rules, etc.

 *Videos: become an Insider Subscriber to get all videos; use videos to inspire or for exemplifying character traits and things happening on the trail (up-to-date information)

*GPS Tracker: become an Insider Subscriber; use this to follow mushers; the tracker shows speeds, rest times, places, data analysis graphs, elevation, temperature, etc.

*Education: Education Portal, ideas for teachers, articles for students in Zuma’s Paw Prints, games/activities for students, connection to the Iditarod Teacher on the Trail™ ideas and updates, connections to the Common Core Standards, lesson plans for various subjects, etc.

*Information: Information about the Iditarod (History, trail, champions & record holders, mushing terminology, veterinary center, the Iditarod Air Force, trivia & facts, other links), information about volunteers, musher rules and application forms, calendar of events, Junior Iditarod

Hope this helps, educators, in finding your way through this very usable resource. Have fun exploring!! As for me, time to fluff up some straw, stretch out and soak up the little bit of sun shining through!

~Sled Dog Ed