**Feel free to scroll to the bottom if you want to jump straight to the attached math lesson plan for September!

The checkpoints along the Iditarod trail are more than just pit stops for the mushers and their teams. They’re like little hubs of life and energy in the middle of the vast, frozen wilderness. Imagine these spots as cozy havens where racers and their dogs can catch a breather, fuel up, warm up, and get ready for the next leg of their journey. The checkpoints aren’t just functional; they’re places of encouragement and support, reflecting the spirit of the race. I can’t wait to experience the beauty of these checkpoints!

Aliy Zirkle checks into Skwentna in 2014. Photo Credit: Terrie Hanke

The lesson for this month doesn’t focus so much on the checkpoints, but the distances between checkpoints or distances from Anchorage to checkpoints. This math lesson is a great way to start the new school year and help students develop or strengthen their number sense. 

I have provided two sets of cards depending on how teachers want to use the lesson:

The cards with distances between checkpoints have smaller, two digit numbers and can be used in lower grade levels. Upper grade levels could use these distances by combining cards to make larger numbers.

The cards with distances from Anchorage have larger, two and three digit numbers. This set of cards work well when teaching expanded form, but can be used for many other math lessons, including comparing and organizing numbers.

Additionally, these cards could be laminated and used for ANY math lesson! My students will be using these distances while multiplying and dividing multi digit whole numbers this month. Access the full lesson here!

Please send me an email and let me know other ways that you might use these distances in your classroom: emailtheteacher@iditarod.com. I hope to hear from you!