Unit Plan

Iditarod: Race Across Alaska Teacher's Guide

  • Grades: PreK–K, 1–2, 3–5, 6–8
This Unit Plan supports Iditarod: Race Across Alaska Activities

Overview

Bring to life the Iditarod - the annual 1,100-mile dogsled race across Alaska's windswept tundra. Through the features in this activity students gain a first-person perspective of mushers' experiences and follow the progress of the race. Use our recommended lessons and extensions to seize the educational opportunities: explore Alaskan geography, study extreme winter climates, and help students apply research and critical reasoning to a discussion about the treatment of sled dogs.

Objective

Students will:

  1. Create an Iditarod Picture Dictionary based on key terms and concepts
  2. Explore the geography of Alaska and the Iditarod by navigating an interactive map of the route and competing in a virtual sled race
  3. Generate questions for champion mushers to learn about their lives and the lives of sled dogs
  4. Research the checkpoints along the Iditarod and recreate the race in the classroom
  5. Form opinions on the treatment of sled dogs and express their thoughts in an online poll
  6. Write persuasive essays on the treatment of sled dogs

Lesson Plans for this Unit

Supporting Books

Iditarod Books and Resources
  • Subjects:
    Reading Comprehension, Countries, Continents, Regions, Racing, Geography and Map Skills, Maps and Globes
  • Duration:
    19 Days
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