As the quilt arrived at John F. Kennedy Middle School in Rockledge, Florida, the 7th grade students of Ms. Luchs’ Language Arts class were just getting underway studying up on the Iditarod, reading a news article on Rachel Scodris, and a short story on the Iditarod Trail (about the serum run).
The quilt hung in the classroom a few days for teachers and students to view. The art teacher, Ms. Rogers found it thrilling, and took a square to work on this summer. My 8th grade students who studied the Iditarod with me the year before were jealous the 7th graders had this opportunity, but they all took in the messages expressed on the quilt. Keep a look out for the name Austin. Last year Austin really got into learning about the Iditarod, and being the outdoors person that he is – rightfully said to me – “one day I’m going to do this.” And to tell you the truth, I wouldn’t put it pass him.
The 7th grade students gathered around the quilt read the squares and analyzed the message and purpose each one expressed. They each shared their favorites with their classmates and described why. Many of my students are members of the AVID program and truly enjoyed the diversity the quilt and the Iditarod brought to their lives. They tracked the mushers on the GPS, and kept tabs of the race as Insiders. One of my three 7th grade classes just happened to be in class when Lance Mackey finished, and got to see it live on the web. However, they truly enjoyed seeing the Iditarod on Versus, and couldn’t get over the conditions the mushers were racing in. My students finished their Iditarod Unit with none other than Jack London’s Call of the Wild.
The Quilt traveled 30 minutes to Merritt Island, Florida to visit Robert Louis Stevenson Elementary School of the Arts. While the quilt was visiting Kennedy, my son happened to mention they were finishing a story about a sled dog and studying Alaska. How perfect. So it was arranged to have the quilt visit his class. But instead, it was shared with the entire 2nd grade. The students and teachers were excited, and had plenty of questions. The teachers are definitely interested to make the Iditarod part of their curriculum.
The reading coach at Kennedy mentioned to Ms. Bonnie Edwards of Tropical Elementary school that I was covering the Iditarod. And one of the quilt squares just happened to belong to Bonnie. So after a quick visit at Stevenson Elementary, the quilt traveled fifteen minutes south in Merritt Island and joined Ms. Edwards and her fifth grade class.
Everyone enjoyed the rounds the quilt made here on the SpaceCoast of Florida.
Wait for it. Wait for it. Wait for it! Watch the pictures in the slide show change!
