Just like the starts of the Iditarod, when the ceremonial start yesterday becomes the official start today, our letter “M” will also tag along for the ride! The magic continues as mushers morph from the parade-like experience yesterday to the intense focus of mandatory gear and dog momentum. I had the pleasure of handing out Trail Mail to each individual musher as part of their gear. Trail Mail is an education program where classrooms can have a musher carry an envelope all the way to Nome, having it mailed back to them at the finish. I felt honored to be able to give one last wish of luck to each and every musher before their departure. Meals of meat were fed, sleds were made ready, muk-luks were cinched up, many, many dogs were bootied, one last strategic glance at maps was made, and final meaningful words were exchanged with loved ones as racers made their way to the starting line. Martin Buser even worked hard to lighten the mood as people passed by sitting atop a dog trailer enjoying a reindeer sausage! The weather was magnanimous with sun shining brightly and bringing an energetic feel to an already exciting environment. Thousands of men, women, and children lined the runway anticipating the announcement of their favorite musher. I felt so grateful to have been able to meet each one, speak to them multiple times in the past several days, and feel so truly connected to this race. It all feels so meaningful. While I am going to spend a couple more days in Anchorage waiting for flights to catch up following weather, our mushers have headed out into the Land of the Midnight Sun, chasing glory and/or a mighty finish!
More for you!
- Main Idea- Read a story about the Iditarod, dog mushing, the Serum Run, or a famous musher. Work on main idea and details. If you need one, simply use ChatGPT and with a simple set of instructions, it will create one for you!
- Math- Create word problems using Brenda Mackey, Matt Hall, Mille Porsild, Jason Mackey, Wade Marrs, and Michelle Phillips.
- Money- Check out my financial literacy activity posted under Teacher on the Trail.
- Music- Once again use the handy ChatGPT and ask it to create a song about the Iditarod and any topic you are learning. Walla! Instant fun!
- Multimedia- Have older students watch a portion of the offical start and then create a multimedia presentation to share.
