NOTE: This lesson plan was updated August 2023 to reflect active links and current race information. One more idea for room set up as the summer starts to wind down…. I am calling my classroom the 3A Dog Yard these days…. for reasons that I am sure you can understand! To get my students in …
As Terrie and I were walking through The Sportsmans Warehouse today I spotted a contest going on with the Iditarod. The radio station, Country Legends 100.9 Wasilla, is sponsoring a contest for participants to make predictions on which mushers will make it to certain checkpoints first. Of course, we stopped and grabbed a couple of game cards, …
In September of 1898, the “Three Lucky Swedes” discovered gold on Anvil Creek, founded the Nome Mining District, and started a new rush to the North. By 1898, Nome had a population of 10,000, many of whom had arrived for the Klondike Gold Rush. When gold was discovered on the beaches of Nome, the rush …
Many teachers always comment that they want to incorporate the Iditarod all year, but they don’t know how. As a result, the Iditarod makes it into their classroom for a small amount of time. It is very possible to teach the Iditarod year round while still teaching your other curriculum. My students are currently studying …
Annie, the 2017 Iditarod Teacher on the Trail™ has moved to a new website! Join us!
Each year the Teacher on the Trail™ gets to create their own patch and mine has finally come in! My patch was designed by my 4th grade student, Libby McMahon. Libby’s design was one of 35 submitted, and it was selected as the winner by the 3rd-8th graders at Saint Andrew. Libby’s design included three important things—an …
Severe weather, sleep deprivation, and animal encounters are just a few of the challenges of participating in the Iditarod. In Gary Paulsen’s Woodsong, he recounts his adventures in completing the Last Great Race on Earth! This book of memoirs is great for upper elementary and middle school students. It gives students the opportunity to experience …
This past Monday was a chilly one in Chicago! The temperature at the opening of school was -7*, and many schools in the Chicagoland area were closed. However, the weather made for a perfect setting for my Iditarod math lesson. This is a fun lesson that can be adapted for any grade. In the lesson …
Music is enjoyed by so many people across the world. From rock to pop, and country to classical, music is all around us. Music can tell a story, convey a feeling, or simply help us relax. The music in the Insider videos help us catch the feel of the race, while listening to Hobo Jim …
At first thought you may think there is no connection between the Iditarod, a sled dog race in Alaska, and Veterans Day, a day that honors those who have served in our country. However, there quite a few connections. In this lesson your students will explore how they can use the gifts and talents they …
