I belong to three different home-schooling groups, some of them seasoned veterans in home-schooling and curriculum with creative and  fantastic ideas.  If you don't belong to a home-schooling group as of yet, I would Cha-Cha search for one in your area.

The great dog-sled race, the Iditarod is set to start March 1, 2008.  This is a perfect time not only to teach about this historical race, but to pick your own dog team and map along.

There are lesson plans galore available for this event.  I am using suggestions from Walter McKenzie's One and Only Surfaquarium.  His suggestion for lesson plan follows in this order:

  • January 7th - February 3:  Create a wall map of the trail
  • February 4th - February 16:  Select a Musher to follow in the race
  • February 19th - February 29th:  Prepare for the big race
  • March 1st - end of race:  Follow the race, and map you musher as he/her advances

Now Walter's site has a list of sites to set up your lesson plans, the sites to really make note of are as followed:


Those are just a few of the over 100 sites listed on his site.

During February 19-29, take time to find projects and lessons to learn about the dogs, the owners, the history and the race, the history of how it all began is extremely interesting.

My student is excited about this project, she will be keeping a journal on the team that she has chosen.  All children love to feel a part of an event, this lesson idea allows them to follow along with "their" team, and they then become anxious to learn all they can about "The Last Great Race", the Iditarod.  Have Fun!