Social Studies

Glogster – The Iditarod, Machu Picchu, and Denali

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 …

Primary Source of the Month: October

Our Virtual Fall Conference this month is focused on technology as teachers around the world are pushing tech to its limits dealing with distance, hybrid, and in person learning, sometimes all at the same time! Technology used by fans, students, and teachers to follow the race has certainly grown and changed over the years. Today, …

Primary Source of the Month: September

In August, the hashtags #womenshistory and #Beyondthe19th were trending. Here’s a little bit of Iditarod #womenshistory for you and your students! Share the primary source with the students and give them some time to examine it on their own. This source is featured in the Iditarod On-Line Museum (click the photo for a larger image). …

Investigating the Surface of the Iditarod Trail: STEM/Science Focus

Investigating the Surface of the Iditarod Trail by Kelly Shusko, Colonial School District, Delaware *This lesson was created for Kindergarten students but is applicable for other grade levels. Standards and Application of lesson: Stem/Science/Social Studies- Geography, Social Emotional Learning The purpose of this lesson is to have students plan and carry out an investigation about …

Origin of the Iditarod: How did it all begin?

*There’s a big myth and it’s time to bust it!  You can help! Myth: Iditarod is run each year to commemorate the Serum Run.   Truth: Although that event is an extremely important event in the history of Alaska, the fact is, the founders of the race did not take the Serum Run into account when …

Download, Print, and Use These Maps with Students.

Map Resources for Your Classroom Iditarod Trail Map This  Iditarod Trail map, both the northern and southern route map, can be downloaded and printed out.  Maps for northern and southern routes Maps for the northern and southern trails along with trail descriptions can be found at this link. Map of Alaska or Other States. Choose …

Service Learning Project: Books to the Trail

Each year, through generous donations from businesses and schools, students in need receive new books to read.  Most of the schools in need are along the Iditarod Trail or other communities in Alaska, but we try to include schools in need anywhere in the United States this project. We are now accepting applicants from classrooms …

Honoring Our Veterans (and the Iditarod Connection)

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 …

Finding the Way to Nome

Map reading skills are an essential skill for anyone to have, but in the Iditarod, it is extremely important that the mushers are able to guide the dogs to the next checkpoint and, ultimately, to Nome.  While there are thousands of trail markers along the way, it is imperative for mushers to understand the route map and …

Zoom Lens: Belt Buckle for Finishers

Sixteen rookies earned their Iditarod finisher’s belt buckle in the 2016 Iditarod.  Many of the veterans at the banquet in Nome were wearing belt buckles earned in their rookie run.  Iditarod XLIV is in the history books now.  Already mushers and race planners are looking forward to the 45th running of The Last Great Race® …