Howdy, Teacher Friends of the Iditarod!

Sled Dog Ed

The kennel is a bustling with activity as the Iditarod race nears in just about 7 days. There is so much to do to get musher, dogs, and supplies ready for the big race. Everywhere I look at the kennel, there are wonderful volunteers helping us out. There are people who come and help train the puppies and other dogs, take visitors on dog sled rides, help with feeding time, and most of all gather the necessary items to take to the Iditarod Dog Sled Race. Everyone has a job!!!!

The kids and I were talking about all the responsibilities at the kennel. They even shared the types of responsibilities they have at their school. This triggered a flash in my mind about a wonderful topic to talk with your students about. RESPONSIBILITY! Responsibility is a key component of our society. Diane Johnson, a former Iditarod Teacher on the Trail™, had posted in 2012 a “Mini Units for Integrating the Iditarod into Classroom Instruction” that investigated the responsibilities of students, mushers and the volunteers of the Iditarod. Using that unit as a reference, I thought of some ideas on how to explore the many responsibilities found in the Iditarod. A resource for processing and gathering students’ responses throughout this investigation can be found by clicking this link, Responsibility: A Key Component to Society 

First, what about the mushers? They have a tremendous responsibility not only to their dogs but to themselves and their kennel. Using various videos about the mushers from the Iditarod.com Home Page and Information>Mushers, have your students list what responsibilities they think a musher has before, during and even after a race. Next, how does that compare to the responsibilities that students have at home, school and in their community? Talk about each of these and compare/contrast what students find.

If it weren’t for the Volunteers at the Iditarod, a lot of work and preparations would not get done. These people give of their time to make this race the best it can be. Have your students read all about the qualifications to be an Iditarod Volunteer, what is involved in the application process, and what job opportunities are available for working at the Iditarod Dog Sled Race. Students can gather information from the website under Information>Volunteers.

After the students have looked at the various volunteer opportunities at the Iditarod, turn to your community. What opportunities are available to students and young adults in the community in which you live for volunteering? This would be a great time to invite community agencies to your school to discuss what they have to offer. Perhaps a small Volunteer Fair could be coordinated at your school.

Once students have had a chance to examine the volunteer opportunities of the Iditarod and in your community, have them write about which job they would choose from each venue. Why would they choose that particular job at the Iditarod and the community agency? What qualifications does the student feel he/she possesses that would suit him/her to that chosen volunteer opportunity?

Building on their information, your students could extend the writing into creating an iMovie Trailer. Here they would create a movie trailer depicting the volunteer job at the Iditarod they would like to “apply for”, the responsibilities involved with that chosen job, and the qualities they possess that would make them suitable for that position. If your students do not have access to that type of technology, they could create a poster depicting the same information or make a PowerPoint presentation.

Life is full of responsibilities…even as a retired sled dog! One of my jobs at the kennel is to keep the young ones enthused and interested in this fabulous race. I also have to be a model to the younger teams on how to accept and take on responsibilities! Teachers, keep your students enthused and excited about Iditarod learning as well.

Time to head outside and hop on the training wheel to put in a few rounds of exercise. I have to keep this sled dog body in great shape! You could say, that is one of my responsibilities.

~Sled Dog Ed