Resource Materials & Technology Center for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing

 

Iditarod Resources

 

 

Time to start getting ready for the Last Great Race on Earth. There are lots of things you can do for integrated units. Look at the traditions and history of the race and the area (social studies), learn about the culture, study the topography and discuss the impact it will have on the race (geography), read books with settings in Alaska and books about the race itself [Stone Fox is one of my favorites!] (reading), study the weather the mushers might experience (science), measure the distance the race covers (math), discuss the times it will take for the race and the impact of the weather and topography on those times (math and science). Just think of the possibilities!

Informational Sites

Official Iditarod Site
Yup, the official site of the Iditarod Trail Committee. Lots of information here - everything you need to follow the race for FREE! But watch out for their School Store at the Teacher's Lounge - $$$$$!

Alaska Public Radio Network
Audio reports from the past races. Many resources related to the history of the race and Alaska.

Alaska Daily News
No news organization will cover the race like this hometown rag; nice way to tie in newspapers with all the other dimensions of an iditarod unit

Cabela's Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race Coverage
Up-to-date coverage of the race, the mushers, and the dogs. Be sure to check out the Education Expedition section.

Dogsled
One of the premier Iditarod sites online; souped up and ready to go in '99! Check out the Iditarod edition of Monopoly they are marketing; great information from people who truly love their work!

Fascinating Facts
Lots of trivia and historical facts you may not know yourself, or you may want to use to stump and impress your students

Sled Dog Action Coalition
This group works to improve the conditions of dogs participating in this event. For those people looking at the view against participating in the Iditarod, here is a resource to support your debate.

International Sled Dog Racing Assocation (ISDRA)
Lots of links on mushing, dogs, tips for spectators and sanctioned races and media events.

Wild-Eyed Alaska
Dedicated to the wild life of Alaska - beautiful pics, audio and video clips; a great Science extension for your Iditarod unit.

Women in Alaska's History
Susan Butcher, Libby Riddles, DeeDee Jonrowe and Mary Shields: four reasons for the saying "Alaska...where men are men and women win the Iditarod".

Tilford on the Trail
Lots of good information and links to information about the Iditarod.

Ultimate Iditarod.com
Iditarod coverage, Iditarod for Dummies, and Teacher Resources.

Yukon and Alaska Resources
Lots of resources on Alaska and the Yukon territory.

State of Alaska on the Web
Alaska's state site for kids.

Sled Dogs: An Alaskan Epic
This was a Nature program on PBS. The web site includes lots of information about sled dogs, including Dogsledding 101.

Working Dog Web
Lots of information and some teacher links too - nice child-friendly design.

Athletes from Kids World Sports: Dogsledding
Article about Kiara, a young musher.

The Iditarod Trail: A ThinkQuest Junior Project
Information about the Iditarod, mushers, and the sled dogs.

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Lesson Plans, WebQuests, and Educational Activities

Official Iditarod Site: For Kids and Teachers
The education portion of the Iditarod site, featuring the Teacher on the Trail, Teaching Resources, and Iditarod Books.

eIditarod
Online project for classroom collaboration and participation prior to and during the race.

Cabela's Education Expedition
The Iditarod Education Expedition is an activity center designed for students, teachers, and parents who wish to learn more about the Iditarod Trail race and have lots of fun too.

The Iditarod Virtual Field Trip
Participate in the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race, beginning in the middle of downtown Anchorage and making its way through the Alaskan wilderness to Nome. You will learn more about this exciting race as you go through this tour. Check out the Scavenger Hunt Activity for Grade 6 on the Teacher's Resources page.

ExploreNorth Teacher Resources
Links to lots of resources and activities that focus on Alaska and the Arctic area. Includes coloring pages, lesson plans, and activities.

The Iditarod Dog Sled Race
A WorkshopQuest on the Iditarod Race.

Iditarod WebQuest
A WebQuest that requires the students to research the Iditarod.

The Iditarod Dog Sled Race
The overall intent of this unit is to help the students learn about the current Iditarod Dog Sled Race and its history through a variety of activities.

Iditarod Activities Across the Grades
Activities that will have your students "teeming" to learn about the Iditarod. Included: Activities in which students create a musher picture dictionary, create charts of Iditarod supplies, and much more!

Jennifer's Iditarod Activities Page
A thematic unit which can incorporate Social Studies, Math, Reading, and Writing.

Iditarod Games

Iditarod: Race Across Alaska
Scholastic's online Iditarod activities.

The Teacher's Corner: Iditarod
Links to activities and lesson plans about the Iditarod. (Skip the ads at the beginning.)

The Iditarod
Links to sites and activities about the Iditarod. The FINDITarod 2006 is a quiz.

Surfaquarium Iditarod 2009 Resources
Online resources for studying the Iditarod Sled Dog Race.

Alaska's Iditarod Sled Dog Race
A ThinkQuest entry about the race.

Iditarod Unit Study Helps
Links to good resources to go along with a study of the Iditarod.

Snowbound - Teenagers & Survival (pdf file)
In this lesson plan, students read and discuss Snow Bound by Harry Mazer. Snow Bound is easy reading and short enough for younger readers but freshmen or sophomores in high school can best relate to the 15-year-old protagonist’s actions and feelings.

International Pedigree Sled Dog Race
A curriculum guide for this sled dog race also has good ideas for the Iditarod.

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Recommended Books

Iditarod Books and Resources

Call of the Wild, by Jack London

Woodsong, by Gary Paulsen

Black Star, Bright Dawn, by Scott O'Dell

Dogsong, by Gary Paulsen

Stone Fox, by John Reynolds Gardiner

The Bravest Dog Ever - The True Story of Balto

Polar Bears Past Bedtime, by Mary Pope Osborne

Julie of the Wolves, by Jean Craighead George

Videos

  • Balto, an animated film
  • Iron Will, a live action video
  • Sno-Dogs, Walt Disney
  • Season of the Sled Dog, by John and Mary Shields, PBS
  • A Far Distant Place, a documentary
  • Alaska's Great Race, by Susan Butcher
  • Stone Fox, Hanna Barbar
  • White Fang, various versions out there, including Disney
  • Call of the Wild, Charlton Heston
  • any educational videos on Alaska
  • Those Wonderful Dogs, a National Geographic Video

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Teacher Resources (Books & Resources to Purchase)

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Last Modified February 23, 2010
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