Iditarod Race to Nome Unit Portfolio Presentation Jane Sasser

Unit Summary This program focuses on The Iditarod Race which begins the first Saturday of March. From Anchorage, in south central Alaska, to Nome on the western Bering Sea coast. Each team of 12 to 16 dogs and their musher cover over 1150 miles in 10 to 17 days.

Curriculum-Framing Questions Essential Question What were the reasons the Iditarod Trail was started? Unit Questions What does the Iditarod Commemorate? Where does the Iditarod take place? How many miles is the Iditarod? What is a musher? What breed of dog is used in the Iditarod? What are the three biggest challenges of the race? Content Questions What equipment must a musher have with them at all times? How many check points are there in this year’s race? What does the command to the dogs “haw” and “gee” mean? Who is considered the “Father of the Iditarod?”

Race to Nome This project will help my students develop 21 st century skills by: Exploring a variety of sources from which information may be attained (i.e.., Internet, electronic databases, CD-ROM). Recognize the unique properties of various media. Explore and identify the use of a variety of materials using proper vocabulary and terminology. Differentiate among techniques and processes for working with each materials. Discover the expressive potential of various media and techniques. Use art materials and tools in a safe and responsible manner Distinguishing between primary and secondary sources. Analyzing the effects of the presentation and/or the accuracy of information.

Gauging Student Needs Assessment Purpose of the Assessment Students will participate in an open discussion on the topic of Iditarod including playing the Iditarod Board Game to become familiar with Iditarod history. What I want to learn from my students? Share information and communicate personal opinions and feelings about musher selection. How I have tried to promote higher-order thinking? Group will discuss the variety of books read sharing the Iditarod story with family and friends over past two weeks. Communicating personal opinions and feelings about reviews from the media. How the assessment information helps me and my student plan for upcoming activities in the unit? Using Iditarod as a theme to tie-in all activities for the month of March provides stability and consistence to the sixth graders’ educational experiences. The theme is carried over into the music, physical education classes as well as the lunch room and administrative areas. What feedback or additional ideas I’d like? Feedback should include time restrains, holidays and cancellation of classes due to inclement weather.

My Goals for the Course The use of the Iditarod is to develop interest in subject activities by using collaboration between the library and classroom teachers. The final library session will be combined with the language arts teacher with the goal of integrating information skills objectives and language arts objectives based on the North Carolina Standard Course of Study Curriculum Guidelines. The learner will explore and analyze information from a variety of sources.

Request for Feedback Places a bulletin board designated for the “Northern Iditarod Trail” and all Iditarod related items as well as information on Iditarod. Places after the first lesson for the “Dude Dog” drawings to be displayed. Places after the second lesson, for “Dog Booties” display. Places after the third lesson, pictures of students preparing Iditarod treats. Places for pictures, at the culmination of the two-week study.