The Iditarod race takes place the beginning the first Saturday in March. We used to prepare weeks in advance. You can check out some of what we did here (although I haven't updated the site since I moved to fifth grade). https://motivatewithmushers.wikispaces.com
You can find out more about the Iditarod and how you can use it in your classroom here: http://iditarod.com
What I am thinking about today is how project-based learning is an effective way to get kids excited about learning and to actually learn. It takes a lot of prep work, but it is worth it. Past students AND their parents often reminisce with me about one of their favorite parts of second grade - The Iditarod. Some have continued to follow the race years after first learning about it in school.
Here is just a quick list of what the children learned through this exciting sport:
- Reading (fiction and nonfiction)
- Writing (fiction, journaling, informational, news stories)
- Data collection and analysis
- Time zones, 24-hour time
- Maps, geography
- Addition, subtraction
- Statistics and probability
- Singing, dancing
- Northern lights
- Water color painting
- Technology - tracking mushers and dogs
- Community service and volunteerism
- American history
- Current events
- Point-of-view
- Animal care
- Alaskan culture
- Marketing
I encourage everyone to take a look at this event and the great resources provided for educators on the Iditarod web site. And they have fun t-shirts!!
~Maryann
