Writing

“What are They Pulling?” Personal Narrative Writing

By now teachers are back in the swing of the school year. We are diving into curriculum, analyzing data, working with coaches and mentors, and planning with our teams. We have our routines established.  Our lives have returned to the rhythm of the school year.  One thing we do here in Texas is a silent …

It’s All In The Name

With just a few more days left (7 to be exact, but who’s counting?) I am ready to close the door on this school-year and dive headfirst into summer. But before I know it, I will be prepping for the start of a new school year. Reflecting on my year as Iditarod Teacher on the …

Iditarod Identity

As I contemplate the beginning of the year I am reminded of all the things I need to incorporate into my curriculum – like SEL and the CR-SE Framework. Yes, I just threw out another acronym, but don’t panic just yet. Like SEL, (see previous post Iditarod Gives All the Feels) the CR-SE Framework enhances …

Welcome to Debski’s Diner: Lesson Ideas from the I.C.E. Cohort

Our first Iditarod Certified Educator’s cohort is off and running down the trail! Their first challenge was to develop a quick lesson idea based on the theme of Debski’s Diner. Debski is the amazing cook for all of the volunteers in Nome. She serves as a kind of den mom for all of the volunteers …

Get Ready to Visit Iditarod!

With the Iditarod Trail Committee announcing the historic route for the 2021 Race, The Gold Trail, all attention this year will focus on the historic town and checkpoint of Iditarod. Iditarod came into existence after the Christmas Day, 1908 gold strike on Otter Creek, a tributary of the Iditarod River. By the summer of 1909 …

Hot Cocoa With a Side of Poetry

  I have spent a great deal of time getting to know our 2016 Iditarod mushers this year.  My special focus has been to share the stories of the rookie mushers, and their personal journey to the starting line.  Like many teachers we have a poetry unit each year, but I wanted to find an Iditarod …

The Insider as an Instructional Tool – December 2020

Summary:   This month’s video segments have no embedded narration.  They showcase people, animals, trail experiences, and the majestic landscape through which the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race runs. Use them for many types of writing and publishing.   Beauty of the Checkpoint – March 17, 2020 12:50am Time-lapse of the Hustle & Bustle Leaving …

Literacy Lessons for the book – Iditarod The First Ten Years AN ANTHOLOGY compiled by THE OLD IDITAROD GANG

The Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race’s early history is recorded in the incredible book, Iditarod – The First Ten Years. This book is a must own for any educator using the race with students. If you don’t own a copy, we highly suggest you make plans to order a copy today. Lesson plans for classroom …

Altered Fairy Tales with an Iditarod Twist

Grades 3-6 What if Cinderella was a musher? Or instead of seven dwarves, Snow White had found seven huskies? In this unit, students will explore some Alaska themed retelling of fairy tales and folk tales as they prepare to write their own Iditarod themed retelling! Mentor texts used include Alaska’s Sleeping Beauty, The Salmon Princess: …

Pourquoi Is That The Way It Is? Writing Creatively to Explain

Grades 2-6 Why do sled dogs howl? Why do they love to run? Why do mushers stand behind the sled? All of these questions are great fodder for writing pourquoi stories – stories that explain why something is the way it is. In this unit, students explore northern themed pourquoi tales. Inhabit Media, and Inuit …