Social Studies
“I go to nature to be soothed and healed, and to have my senses put in order.” John Burroughs How could one teacher be so lucky? This summer I was fortunate enough to come face to face with two special animals in the wild that have been on my “bucket list” of nature connections for, …
After studying the history of Alaska, my students focused on the culture of Alaska. Alaska is full of unique and interesting cultures. There are many Alaska Native that have participated and still participate in the Iditarod each year. The Iditarod and sled dogs are a big part of Alaska’s culture. The students in my class …
Alaska has a rich history, starting when it was settled by the Russians to the beginning of the Iditarod sled dog race. My students just finished studying the history of Alaska. After class discussion and additional research the students were assigned to create an interactive timeline. We used a new, free learning tool called HSTRY. …
The Iditarod has an impressive historic value that it brings to the state of Alaska. Not only does it have historic value, but it also shares rich culture among all the countries that participate in the race each year. Including the United States, there are 8 countries represented in this year’s Iditarod. One country not …
We took a break in Rohn in our last Checkpoint Checkup. It’s time for our mushers to get moving again. This section of our journey is approximately 75-80 miles and will take about 10-15 hours. This part of the trail can be broken down into three sections; Rohn to the Farewell Burn, across the Burn …
Skype is an incredible tool teachers have at their fingertips allowing them to communicate with other classes and speakers around the world. Skype in the Classroom provides teachers with opportunities to share lessons, join lessons, and find guest speakers for their classrooms. A very popular Skype in the Classroom lesson is Mystery Skype. My class recently …
I like to have my students learn the history of the Iditarod early on in the year so we can refer to it as we progress. This past week my students have been completing and sharing tasks about the history of the Iditarod. In addition to using Katie Mangelsdorf’s book Champion of Alaskan Huskies, students also used …
If you are following our journey of checkpoints, you know we were just at Yentna Station. Our journey will take us up the trail 30 miles to Skwentna. Welcome to Skwentna Checkpoint. Most of the trail to Skwentna is on the Yentna River. The population in 2010, the latest census, was 37. Skwentna is …
The formal name of the race we all know as the Iditarod is the Iditarod Trail International Sled Dog Race. And it truly is an international pool of mushers this year. A quick look at the musher list shows seven different countries (US, Norway, Jamaica, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Sweden) and seven different states (Alaska, …
Stories from the Trail: Eight Gold Stars on a Field of Blue Eight stars of gold on a field of blue – Alaska’s flag. May it mean to you The blue of the sea, the evening sky, The mountain lakes, and the flow’rs nearby; The gold of the early sourdough’s dreams, The precious gold of …