Josh Thyr’s Team at Vet Check for Iditarod 2024 (Photo K. Newmyer)

Teachers at the Iditarod Winter Conference were treated to a mini-Iditarod with three important stops today.  First, we headed out to Iditarod Headquarters to see the mushers bringing in their dogs for final vet checks. Second, we met for lunch at the Broken Boat Grill at Knik Lake.  Third, we visited Turning Heads Kennel to meet sled dogs, mushers, handlers, and see the sled dogs in action.  It was a lovely 7-degree day with some wind gusts, especially traveling down Parks Highway between Anchorage and Wasilla. The Chugiak Mountains were snowy and majestic.

The tour of Iditarod events and places served several purposes. One, to get teachers out into the beautiful Alaska weather! We all bundled up in our parkas, hats, gloves, mittens, boots, and many layers. Two, to let teachers get to see sled dogs up close and study their habits and behavior, and also interact with them.  And finally, to get teachers out to iconic Iditarod places rich with history, giving the conference participants something to share about to their students when they return home.  

Before I describe the visits in more detail, I want you to be thinking about how you deliver lessons in your classroom.  Refer to a typical unit where you work through content and have a quiz or test at the end. Now consider how you can give students a mini-Iditarod to boost engagement—complete with preparations, intentional purpose, different kinds of learning, and a way to process at the end.  Each of these would be the pre-race meeting, race checkpoints, twenty-four-hour mandatory rest stop, and finisher’s banquet.

Pre-Race Meeting: At the end of yesterday’s conference events, we were briefed on what to bring, what not to bring, what to wear, a weather forecast, and expectations for the day.  It was up to us to make sure we were adequately dressed and were not wearing anything that could drop and be stepped on by a dog, such as loose jewelry.  We had to meet in the lobby at the required time.  How could your “pre-race meeting” for your unit or week of study look?  You might include special instructions, a pre-assignment such as vocabulary work or setting up a lab report, writing an entrance ticket, a pre-assessment or other activity.

Race Checkpoints: The first two checkpoints were Vet Checks outside of HQ, and the Headquarters themselves. Inside the building visitors could learn more about the Iditarod, view artifacts and shop for  merchandise. These learning activities were self-paced. Teachers could stay outside with the musher’s trucks and watch dogs being unloaded, examined, and then returned to their cozy boxes.  Teachers could stand back and observe or engage with mushers and handlers to the extent possible. Of course, as a teacher you want to hold students accountable for their learning, so you might build in certain requirements like learning how to do certain tasks or evaluating information, then creating a video or blog post.  There might be several more checkpoints than the two we experienced today at Headquarters. You will want to create learning checkpoints that engage students in a variety of ways.

Mandatory 24 hour stop: The Iditarod Trail Committee Rule #13 requires mushers to take a mandatory twenty-four hour stop at an official checkpoint. This is to ensure safety but also to apply the time differential incurred by mushers starting the race at two-minute intervals.  Use this twenty-four hour mandatory stop to bring your class together and reflect on the learning so far, correct misconceptions, guide students, and prepare students for the big final project or test. Our lunch today at Broken Boat Grill on Knik Lake was just that—a time to process and reflect on the vet visits where many conference participants met sled dogs for the very first time.  We enjoyed delicious slow-cooked pork shoulder tacos made by Doug, the proprietor of the Grill. He welcomed us exclusively to the restaurant and was on hand with smiles and the possibility of seconds.  Consider creating a mandatory rest stop for students to discuss their learning and ask questions.

Georgia wants a treat Turning Heads Kennel (Photo K. Newmyer)

Finisher’s Banquet: The big final project, performance, test, or presentation of any learning can be the most fun but requires preparation.  As we entered the driveway of Turning Heads Kennel, Sarah Stokey, two-time Iditarod finisher, with wee Elias in her backpack, greeted us and talked to us about their tour business in Seward and in the Knik historic mushing district. Ibi and Matt, handlers and tour guides, helped share information and answer questions. Travis Beals was about to head out on his training run for the Iditarod, so we watched as handlers brought the dogs to the gangline and hooked them up. The more dogs that were on the line, the more excited they got—then immediately got quiet as the sled took off. I really like how Travis prepped them by saying, Ready, as he took one snow hook out; Ready, as he grabbed the other one, then called, Hike! The dogs knew to wait until he said Hike!

After Sarah and Ibi’s presentation, we were free to wander among the dog lot and visit with the rest of the kennel.  There were plenty of puppies and yearlings, and some retired dogs.  I met the spunky Georgia, who was convinced I had a treat somewhere. We used our knowledge and appreciation of sled dogs to apply the skills we had learned.  All of the learning you help your students with can come together in the final evaluation.  Students can really make it their own project and shine.  Other students can learn from their work.

Travis Beals shouts, “We’re going all the way the Nome!” Photo: Terrie Hanke

A mini-Iditarod can be a great way to make learning more fun and engaging for students. Set up a start banner and finish line. Create checkpoints around the room, give students a map, and let them work through a digital learning path. Guess what? You have now created a sneaky way to integrate Iditarod learning into another part of your curriculum. You can do this at any time of the year.  Students will get to experience firsthand the fun of getting through race checkpoints while you watch and guide as the Race Marshal!

I’d love to see what you create. Email me at emailtheteacher@iditarod.com.