Grade Levels:    5
 

Subjects:
      History
     Language Arts
     Art

Learner Outcomes:
     Students will be able to describe the origins of the  Iditarod  and how the race has changed over the years.

Duration of lesson: One 45 minute session.

Materials:
     Map of Alaska
    Iditarod journals
    Transparency maps of Alaska (1 per student)

Technology tools / Courseware:
     Internet capable computer
    word-processing program
    overhead projector

Teacher notes:
     The teacher should visit the official Iditarod web site to become familiar with the historical information contained in it.

Procedures:
      1. Visit the web site.
     2. Research the origins of the Iditarod in the 1925 Serum Run to Nome.
     3. Write a report on a word processing program.
     4. Using map from lesson 3, students will compare and contrast the route of this year's race to that of the 1925 Serum Run.
     5.  Using a calculator, find the mileage for each route and place the results in the Iditarod journal.

Modifications:
      Pair stronger readers with low level or non readers
     Let students work in groups

Enrichment Activities:
       1.  Enlarge the map using an overhead projector.  Students will trace the outline of the map and the different routes onto poster board attached to the classroom wall.  They will display their finished maps in the classroom.
      2. Students can present oral reports about the Iditarod to 1st and 2nd graders.

Evaluation Assessment:
     1. Written Report
    2. Map showing both trails

West Virginia IGOs:
      Language arts: 5.2,5.16,5.20,5.27,5.52,5.54,5.55,5.56,5.57,5.60,5.64.5.182
     Math: 5.11,5.36,5.46
     Social studies: 5.22,5.26,5.32,5.58

National Standards:
Language arts
     1. Uses the general skills and strategies of the writing process.
     2. Gathers and uses information for research purposes.
     3. Uses reading skills and strategies to understand and interpret a variety of informational texts.
Social Studies
     1. Understands the concepts of regions.
Art
     1. Understands the visual arts in relation to history and culture.

References:
       Iditarod

Authors:
   Jeannine Brand
   Libby Davis
   Susan Seitz