Teach and Learn

Engaging lessons based on Insider video clips.


Our four-legged correspondents write for all ages..


Collection of all things Iditarod.

  • Mathematical Reasoning and Critical Thinking ~ by Kathy Thompson

    Paw Print = Anchorage ~ Potter Marsh Wildlife Viewing Boardwalk Exploration Feeling ~ Day Two = Reflective Today we traveled to the Potter Marsh Wildlife located at the southern end of the Anchorage Coastal Wildlife Refuge with Sara Lamont.  My head was spinning with a ton of math ideas as I looked at each angle ...

     
     
    
    
    

Latest Teach and Learn Posts

Barriers to Entry

I’ve been wrapping presents this week and, as a busy mom, that sometimes includes wrapping my own gifts. While sorting and organizing it became clear that the theme of my holiday is “winter weather gear.”  I wrapped, and will unwrap, liner gloves, Smartwool socks, three sets of base layer long underwear, two mid layer wool …

Iditarod Now and Venn

Earlier this month I shared a post about the importance of representation; students need to see people like them doing, achieving, and experiencing all types of activities in this world. Representation provides a sense of belonging, hope, and inspiration. To quote Iditarod finisher Will Troshynski again, “Representation matters. Seeing a possibility for someone like yourself …

2023 “Return to the Southern Route” Trail Mail Design Winner Announced

Over 50 entries were submitted for the 2023 Trail Mail Art Design contest.  There were many, many outstanding designs and choosing just one was difficult. The Education Department thanks our judges Jon and Jona Van Zyle as well as Wendy Brott for their continued support in this project. In the end they took into consideration …

What’s a TEAM?

Leaping Libby here:  Alaskan husky puppy, living her best life in the Northwoods of Wisconsin, and dreaming of becoming a sled dog.  I’ve gotten to know most of the folks here at the kennel. They’re all pretty wonderful, each in their own unique way.   Each of the sleddogs has their own personality, their own likes …

SEL Snack: Representation Matters

Crossing the finish line in the early morning hours of March 15, 2022, Brent Sass was crowned champion of the 50th Iditarod. I immediately texted my oldest daughter to let her know “her musher” had won the Iditarod. My family became Iditarod Insiders a decade ago and each year we each select one musher to …

NOT In It To Win It

I run, but I’m not competitive and I don’t always enjoy it. I started running pretty late in life, as a new mom who wanted to return to her pre-baby pants size and not be out of breath climbing the stairs to grab a diaper. Running worked for me because I could squeeze in 2 …

Who Pulls the Sled?

Iditarod is where dogs run the race, but the race runs on volunteers. This is a pretty bold statement, one I made in a post earlier this month, and I stand by it. I’m not alone in recognizing that the volunteers are the heroes of the Iditarod. The mushers are aware that their ability to …

Get I.C.E.d ~ Become an Iditarod Certified Educator!

The Iditarod Certified Educator program equips teachers to best represent the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race by providing educators accurate and factual history of the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race, an authentic background in dog sledding in indigenous Alaskan communities, and instruction in writing quality Iditarod themed standards-based lessons.The program is a four-month-long professional development …

March 2023 Winter Educators Conference Information

Iditarod Education Department Winter Educators Conference “Engage, Inspire, Succeed!” at the Lakefront Hotel February 28 – March 3, 2023 in Anchorage, Alaska Registration will soon be open for the Iditarod Winter Educators Conference and we can’t wait to see you! Join us the week prior to race start to rejuvenate, or begin building your Iditarod …

Educational Trail Mail Sales are Open!

We are so excited to announce that sales for the Educational Trail Mail Project are open! This is an amazing chance for your class to send a piece of mail down the trail in one of the 2023 student-designed cachets and help us raise funds for our education programs at the same time! It’s very …