We did it! We made it to February where we get to not only really “DIG Deep” into the Iditarod, but we get to “paws” and find the similarities and differences with this month’s lesson. We will challenge our students to compare and contrast the Iditarod to nearly anything! The possibilities are endless. So, let’s get this sled started!
February’s lesson is titled, “Compare and Contrast…The Iditarod vs The Underground Railroad. While this lesson was specifically written to follow a 3rd grade social studies standard, I believe you will find that it can be accomplished with absolutely any topic whether it is math, science, or even cooking! It will start out with a few ideas to kick off the skill. You can use M&M’s vs Skittles, create 2 snowmen on the playground, play 2 different classroom games, try out 2 iPad apps, or compare and contrast 2 boxes of cereal and then use them as your “kibble” for a class snack. This concept then easily connects to the Venn Diagram as well as finding those key words to look for like same, different, also, and but. Once that foundation is laid, chatgpt will become your new best friend. Simply type your prompt asking for a passage comparing and contrasting the Iditarod to your topic. Specify the age of your students and done! You will be shocked at how many standards-based topics can be connected to the Iditarod in a very meaningful way. All of that, with very little effort and time on your part. From there, you can use the passages as whole group readings, partner reads, independent reads, repeated readings, choral reads, etc. Comparing and contrasting using Venn Diagrams in any number of ways drives this concept home. Even giving students the opportunity to use the website, choose a topic they are passionate about, and ask for the connection will create the excitement you hoped for!
Differentiation:
Gr. 1/2- Students can compare and contrast sled dog traits and other mammals. Lower reading levels of passages on the chat site.
Gr. 3/5- Focus on social studies/geography standards by comparing and contrasting US regions to Alaska or different Native American groups.
MS/HS- Use the forces and motion standard to compare and contrast Iditarod sleds and different slopes or US government laws and race rules. Raise reading levels on the chat site.
“Trail Techy” for February proves that coding is ALL ABOUT finding what’s the same and what is different! Programming constantly compares things and decides what to do next. Is this answer correct or incorrect? Are these two values the same or different? Does this program work better or worse than another? That’s compare & contrast in action! Our vocabulary word this month is algorithm. An algorithm is simply a set of steps. Anytime students are asked to create a set of steps, they are coding. They are creating an algorithm. As an unplugged activity, have students make a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, then create a writing piece of those steps. Compare the peanut butter to the jelly. Contrast how they spread differently or taste differently. Lastly, students can practice their skills with algorithms on code.org or Kodeable. Both are free and amazing coding apps for kids! Comparing and contrasting can be explored in everyting from the Iditarod and the Underground Railroad to computer coding and peanut butter and jelly!
February-Iditarod Lesson Plan.docxThe Iditarod and the Underground
Reading Passage- Journey of Courage
