Teach and Learn

Engaging lessons based on Insider video clips.


Our four-legged correspondents write for all ages..


Collection of all things Iditarod.

     
     
    
    
    

Latest Teach and Learn Posts

Elementary Fiction

Elementary Fiction Title: Author (Copyright Date): Notes: The Bravest Dog Ever: The True Story of Balto Natalie Standiford (1989) illustrated by Don Cook This Step into Reading book (step 3) summarizes the diphtheria run of 1925.   Grades: 1 – 3, Lexile 510L Cookie Cutters and Sled Runners Natalie Rompella (2017) Ana and Lily have …

Adult Books

Non-Fiction Title Author (Copyright Date) Notes Adventures of the Iditarod Air Force: True Stories About the Pilots Who Fly for Alaska’s Famous Sled Dog Race Ted Mattson (1997) Shares stories of the volunteer pilots’ stories about what happens above the trail. Alaskan Sled Dog Tales Helen Hegener (2018) Shares the important stories of sled dogs …

Iditarod Sleds: From 1973 to Today!

Sleds are an essential piece of equipment in the Iditarod. Typically, 50-80 sleds start the race and even more are shipped down the trail for use later in the race. Sleds have evolved since the first race in 1973, and mushers often build their sleds themselves. The sleds first used in Iditarod were long freight …

Get Ready to Visit Flat!

For the first time in Iditarod history, the teams will be traveling seven miles southeast from Iditarod to the town of Flat, Alaska. Flat came into existence after the Christmas Day, 1908 Gold Rush on Otter Creek by John Beaton and W. A. Dickeman. Although word of that strike got out slowly, in 1909 more …

Primary Source of the Month: February

Primary sources are not just for Social Studies class! Here’s one that you could use as a math warmup that ties in to the ghost town of Iditarod which will play such an important role in this year’s Iditarod Race.     Using the Source With Students: Display the object for your students and have …

Five W’s of the Iditarod Jeopardy Game

Engage your students in a rousing game of Jeopardy, complete with applause and Double Jeopardy.  Download the Powerpoint and answer key and jump start your Iditarod unit today! 5Ws Jeopardy Answer Key Jeopardy-5Ws-of-Iditarod-2021

The Insider as an Instructional Tool – February 2021

It’s the time of year when teachers really get ramped up teaching with the Iditarod as a theme in their classrooms.  We are getting many emails from teachers all over the world asking for ideas and resources. Well, this month, you will get free access to these Insider clips to help you teach about the …

Pick a Musher: Fantasy Draft Style

With the way school is working while we gear up for the 2021 Iditarod Race, many of the tried and true staples of our Iditarod curriculums aren’t going to work the way they always have. In some ways, this will help push us to find new and possibly better ways to do things. For years, …

Tips on Getting Started Using the Race With Students

Welcome to Iditarod!  We’d like to help you create an amazing unit of study that will engage your students in an authentic learning adventure!  Let’s get started! A rookie is someone new.   If you are new to the concept of using the race as a teaching tool, you are a rookie Iditarod teacher. You’ve come …

Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race: 101 What you need to know!

The Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race is also called the “Last Great Race on Earth®” This page gives basic answers to the 5Ws of the race – who, what, when, where, and why. Follow the posted links for a wealth of current information. And have fun learning more and sharing this with your students.   …