Mush!! The Last Great Race on Earth

How it works:

The Iditarod: Last Great Race to Nome, can be a fully integrated curriculum unit which uses the Iditarod Sled Dog Race as its focus and central theme. The unit is designed to enhance the student's awareness and appreciation for the annual sled dog race across the state of Alaska. As a multi-faceted curriculum, the students will be involved in a variety of activities to become more knowledgeable about the race, Alaska culture and geography, and the people and animals who participate in the competition. 

Prior to the race, students use the internet to research mushers participating in the race. After reading information on the mushers, students select one to compose a letter to including information learned in their biography. The letters are then sent, with the hopes that the musher will reply after participating in the race. During the race, students use the Internet to track the location of their mushers. Students also use the internet to gather information to create a " Come to Alaska" brochure, compare and graph weather conditions, and learn more about the history of the Iditarod through a scavenger hunt.

Standards

Gathers and uses information for research purposes

Uses the general skills and strategies of the writing process

Writes personal letters (e.g., includes the data address, greeting, body, and closing; addresses envelopes; includes signature)

Uses reading skills and strategies to understand and interpret a variety of informational texts

Understands and applies basic concepts of statistics and data analysis

Understands atmospheric processes

Contributes to the overall effort of a group

Estimated Class Periods to Complete

It is recommended that this unit be implemented beginning in mid-February. Dedicate 1-2 class periods for students to research information on a musher and compose a letter. One class period for the Iditarod web site scavenger hunt, and 3-5 days to collect information for the Alaska brochure. During the race (begins the first weekend in March), students should log onto the Internet daily to update the location of their musher, and access weather information. Continue daily updates until the top ten mushers have completed the race (usually within 10 days).

Software and Materials Needed:

Access to the Internet
PowerPoint or other multimedia presentation software
Wordprocessor
Graphing software (optional)

Students

This unit can be implemented easily in grades 4-8, modifying it for younger students and older students. Students should have a basic understanding how to use the Internet, a word processor, and PowerPoint. Cooperative "mushing" groups can be created  for some of the activities, or students can work independently.

Overall Value:

Every year, the Iditarod unit motivates and excites my students as they  learn a great deal about Alaska, while developing better writing skills. Using the Internet allows students to locate the exact location of their musher, and collect current weather conditions that are not readily available with any other medium. While building public speaking skills, students enjoy using PowerPoint to share information with their classmates, as well as their parents during Open House. This unit can easily be adapted into any classroom situation, and the use of the technology is not an overwhelming task for the student or teacher. The Iditarod unit is an easy and fun way to use technology to enhance the curriculum.

Tips for the Teacher:

The best way to introduce this unit to students is to read Gary Paulsen's Woodsong. The book describes the author's experiences learning about dog sledding, and participating in the actual Iditarod race.  Students will easily become a fan of Mr. Paulsen, and will be more appreciative of the mushers participating in the race. The Iditarod website (www.iditarod.com) also sells a curriculum packet with additional activities, musher addresses, background information and videos.

Jennifer Wright has been a fifth grade teacher in the Orcutt Union School District for ten years. She was the first Internet Club Leader and in that capacity, went to every school and worked with students to create each school's first web page. She is currently on leave to care for her two children.