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

Learning about “Challenges” the Iditarod Way ~ by Kathy Thompson

Paw Print = Anchorage ~ 50th Anniversary Iditarod Ceremonial Start Exploration Feeling ~ Day Seven = Challenged As I sit here looking out my window after a magical day being part of the 50th Anniversary Ceremonial Start for the Iditarod Dog Sled Race of 2022, several ideas danced in my mind.  What is one thing …

Wipe Out! – By Juli Westrich

Stepping outside to the start of the 50th Anniversary 2022 Iditarod Dog Sled Race was like walking into a snow globe.  Giant powdery flakes fell heavily from the sky, turning downtown Anchorage into a winter wonderland.  The perfect atmosphere for the Iditarod!  As we wandered around 4th Avenue a plan began to form for how …

It’s Go Time! Iditarod Happens because of Volunteers by Cindy Emmons

It’s go time!  Fourth street is transformed as the iconic Iditarod Sled Dog Race banner is ready to welcome mushers and dogs to the 50th Iditarod Sled Dog Race! For 50 years the Iditarod Sled Dog Race has been a champion of excellence in dog welfare, health and nutrition, and a model for volunteerism and …

Teaching Self-Motivation Through The Iditarod ~ by Kathy Thompson

Paw Print = Anchorage ~ Teacher Conference last day, Dog Handler Class, I.C.E. training and COMMS training Exploration Feeling ~ Day Six = Motivated As the three of us started to head down the stairs toward our next adventure, I realized that our time is growing shorter together.  This makes me realize how much I …

Volun-cheers! – By Juli Westrich

It is impossible to make the Iditarod a reality without the volunteers. This race is spread across 1,000 miles of  Alaskan wilderness, takes between 8 and 15 days, and requires nearly 2,000 people to support human mushers and their canine athletes.  The sheer number of people involved in making this happen is simply astounding,  and …

“Show” Verse “Tell” Approach to Teaching ~ by Kathy Thompson

Paw Print = Anchorage ~ Teacher Conference and 50th Anniversary Gala Exploration Feeling ~ Day Five = Enlightened What a rewarding day beginning with the Teacher on the Trail Finalist presentation.  The three of us were a bit nervous starting our day knowing our presentations were ahead of us this morning, however, we were so …

Then and Now: Coming Home to Iditarod by Cindy Emmons

                               Iditarod is family coming home.   I watched from the windows of the Iditarod 50th Race Gala as a family was dog mushing in a park in Anchorage.  I realized that they most likely are mushing with their dogs because of …

Racing into a Tech Savvy Future – By Juli Westrich

This is a very special race year, the 50th anniversary of the Iditarod.  With all the festivities surrounding this event I can’t help but think about the early runs: the 70’s, 80’s, and 90’s, before technology exploded.   Personally, at my age, I prefer we not think of those decades as “history” because they were part …

Teacher on the Trail, A Bold Idea!

The Winter Teacher’s Conference continued today with presentations from the three Teacher on the Trail finalists.  This was their opportunity to share their best practices using Iditarod as a theme for education.  With this being a year of celebrating Iditarod history, let’s take a look back and meet Finney, the first Teacher on the Trail …

Creating Powerful Moments in Your Classroom ~ by Kathy Thompson

Paw Print = Wasilla and Willow ~ Iditarod Headquarters and Alaskan Husky Adventures Exploration Feeling ~ Day Four = Insightful Wow!  Today was a phenomenal day outside of Anchorage.  We arrived in Wasilla to the Iditarod Headquarters.  Mushers and sled dogs were there getting the pre-race check-ups for the start of the race on Saturday.  …