December is here! The magic of the holidays can be delightful as an educator and overwhelming at the same time. Hopefully the lesson for this month will help alleviate some stress or serve as a time filler when you need a much deserved break. 

Ceremonial Start 2024- two very different dog sleds. Photo Credit: M. Hamilton

Sleds vs. Sleighs is a great lesson for almost any age group, but I have specifically geared this lesson toward the upper middle school age group. Students will explore the differences between sleds and sleighs, including their design and purpose. Then, working in small groups, students will use the engineering design process to create the fastest sled or sleigh. While the choice is theirs: sled or sleigh, students will need to prepare a solid reason for choosing either design and determine if the results are accurate based on the initial purpose. Access the full lesson here! Happy Holidays!

Let’s connect! I can be reached through email at emailtheteacher@iditarod.com. I look forward to hearing from you!