Tips and Tools

“Sharing Our Stories” From Student Journalists in Takotna, Alaska

Sharing Our Story from Student Journalists attending Takotna Community School, Takotna, AK Mrs. Smith’s Class Starting the School Day My name is Elijah, am nine years old, and I am in third grade in Takotna, Alaska. I live on Mile 329 of the Iditarod Trail. My job the first week of school was to lead …

Husky Talk Podcast

Welcome to Husky Talk Podcast A weekly behind the scenes look at the Iditarod and mushing for classrooms around the world. Erin Montgomery, 2015 Iditarod Teacher on the Trail™ from Iowa and her students host this podcast, designed and created to introduce you to the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race and give you an essential behind …

Students in Takotna Share about their School Year

We would like to thank the students at Takotna Community School and Principal/Teacher Susan Smith, for sharing their December newsletter with us. Enjoy the read.  How does what’s happening at this school along the Iditarod Trail compare with what’s happening in your school? Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4  

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 …

Ikidarod – McGrath, Takotna, Nikolai Schools

Ikidarod 2019: McGrath, Takotna, and Nikolai Schools McGrath School hosted Takotna, and Nikolai Schools for Traditions Week last March. (2019) Students K-12 participated in this week long culture camp, learning how to paint, cook, build dog houses, and mush a one dog dogteam. This has been a premier activity in McGrath for decades, as their …

Make Plans to Attend Iditarod Teacher Conference Events

Attend a 2020 Iditarod Teacher event! It’s not to early!  Not at all! We’re already planning for our 2020 teacher conference events.  You should start planning to join us! 2020 Winter Conference in Anchorage prior to the start of the Iditarod.  (March 3 – 6, 2020)  Learn more by clicking here! 2020 Summer Camp for …

Before…Next…!

Hello, Teachers! How many times have you asked your students, “What were you doing before…?” Or maybe you have asked them, “What will happen next?” Making predictions and sequencing events are important skills. Mushers and their teams deal with sequencing quite often: Who will be first on the gangline?, What will I need to do …

Roll It…!

Hi, Teachers! Need a quick activity to break up the day! Here is one, “Roll a Topic“.  You can use this to get your students talking and sharing about the Iditarod. Put students in groups of two or three and provide them with a die.  Each student will take turns rolling the die. The number …

What’s in a Picture?

Hello, Teachers! People are constantly taking pictures of the fabulous musher and dog athletes at our kennel. I always wonder what they think and say to their friends when showing all the pictures they have taken. There is a saying…a picture is worth a thousand words! Display the attached document, A Picture is Worth a …

Sweet Iditarod!

Dear Teachers, Time for treats! I hear that around the dog lot frequently…especially after the dogs have been out on a long run.  Indulge your students in some sweet treats for a fun break during the day!  Here is a way for students to talk with their classmates about the Iditarod, share information they have …