A fun time to start bringing the Iditarod into the classroom is in the weeks leading up to the race. In my classroom, students select a musher to follow and then track that musher down the trail. We use the GPS tracker and data from the checkpoints to keep track of each musher and move their photo down a trail in the classroom. There are many ways to start talking about the Iditarod before winter makes an appearance and I’ve discovered that ANY time of the year is a fun time to bring the Iditarod in the classroom! This month, I am challenging teachers to start connecting the race and their classroom, if you haven’t already this school year. 

Dallas Seavey, Ceremonial Start 2024. Photo Credit: M. Hamilton

An easy way for students to start developing an interest in the race is by researching mushers who are already signed up for the race and connecting through writing letters. Would it be easier and quicker to email mushers? Yes, but I’m a firm believer in traditional letter writing.  Mushers are quite busy training their teams and preparing for the race season; however, they currently have a little more time to respond to letters than during the months of January and February.

PSSST… Did you know that the Iditarod EDU department can provide you with contact information for mushers? If you would like to receive the approved list of musher’s addresses, please fill out this Google form. Not all mushers agreed to this program, but if more mushers sign up, there could be more addresses added to the list! 

Jessie Holmes, Restart 2024. Photo Credit: M. Hamilton

In my lesson for November, students will get to start and build a connection with a selected musher. They will start by learning more about their musher through research, then writing a friendly and grammatically correct letter. The lesson wraps up with sending the letters off to their musher! Access the full lesson here!

What do YOUR students think it takes to be a musher in the Iditarod? I’d love to hear their answers! emailtheteacher@iditarod.com