This year, four Iditarod themed quilts will be traveling to schools around the nation. Each month, you’ll be able to read where each quilt has been and learn about the schools and communities that are associated with this project. The quilts will each visit 9 or 10 different schools during the year.
While the quilt is at a school, students are involves in teacher created lessons that help teach and reinforce the content standards that students must learn. The lessons focus on science, math, language arts, or other areas. A scrapbook travels with each quilt, recording memories and lessons of each visit. This scrapbook becomes a traveling teaching tool, too.
The Iditarod Traveling Quilt project is a unique way to help teachers not just ‘cover’ the curriculum, but ‘uncover’ the curriculum in a thematic approach to teaching and learning.
Quilt 1 started this year’s journey by going to North Dakota. In a few days, this quilt will cross the border into South Dakota. While in North Dakota with the teacher and second grade students, it is speculated that Quilt 1 will meet an Iditarod musher. Join us each month to read about Quilt 1’s journey from the Dakotas to Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin, Maine, Maryland, and North Carolina before joining teachers at the 2010 Summer Camp in June. Quilt 1 was ‘born’ at Iditarod’s Summer Camp for Teachers and will be a featured display at the summer camp and Iditarod’s Volunteer Picnic and 2011 Musher Sign Up.
Quilt 1 was the first Iditarod Traveling Quilt, sewn together by 2006 Teacher on the Trail™ Terrie Hanke.
Quilt 2 began the school year by flying off to Wisconsin. Quilt 2 was created by teachers who attended the 2006 summer conference but was sewn together in Wisconsin. Mrs. Helmke welcomed Quilt 2 ‘home again’ at her school in Wisconsin, the starting place for the 2007 Quilt 2 tour. Mrs. Helmke had this to say,
“HURRAY!!! Quilt #2 has returned home! This is Carol Helmke from Lancaster, Wisconsin, and I am the creator of quilt #2. I am so excited to have quilt #2 home with me for a month!! It has been two years since I have seen the quilt, and it has seen many places and been touched by many hands and hearts:) It brings back many fond memories of my week at the Iditarod Educators’ Conference in June of 2006. All of us had such a good time. I encourage anyone who has not attended to do so. The quilt is such a wonderful memory of that and all that the Iditarod stands for in inspiration and teamwork. The quilt and the accompanying scrapbook is a wonderful way for my class and I to begin this new year. I wish everyone a great school year.”
In the photo, 2002 Teacher on the Trail™ Kim Harrick welcomed the quilt to her school and used it as a visual for classroom presentations and lessons.
When Quilt 2 leaves Wisconsin, it will visit Texas, South Carolina, Utah, New York, and back to Wisconsin.
Quilt 3 headed first to California to visit students at Mrs. Prather’s school where the following was reported:
“Quilt #3 stole the show at “Back to School Night”. It is currently on display in our library. It was introduced to all our 4th grade students yesterday at an assembly where we all watched the Iditarod DVD. Most of those 4th grade students brought their parents into the library to see the quilt. Some students translated, from English to Spanish, so their parents could also learn about the project. We are brainstorming how we want our square to look. We will follow this with making a quilt of our own, which we will send out to all the other 4th grade classes in our District. A list of Iditarod activities has been posted in each 4th grade classroom. Students are invited to choose which one they want to work on. This just keeps getting better and better!“
In this picture, Iditarod Musher Laura Daugereau visited a school to give an assembly for students. She is holding one of her dogs in the photo. If you are interested in having Laura visit your school, contact her.
Quilt 3 will also visit schools in Washington, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Massachusetts, back to California, and on to Mississippi before ending the year’s journey.
Quilt 4 is ‘under construction’ but will begin a journey in October. Where will it be headed? Stay tuned, you’ll soon find that out!
Once October rolls around, you’ll be able to read more about all 4 Iditarod Traveling Quilts. Each month, you’ll be able to follow the progress of each journey and the incredible learning activities that students are involved in while the quilt is in their community.
This picture features one square of the quilt, created by 2001 Teacher on the Trail, Diane Nye, Colorado.
You can also follow the progress of our Virtual Quilt. Send us a digital image of a quilt square from your class and join the project connecting schools around the world in a real time sharing adventure.
Read about the Iditarod Traveling Quilt project. Discover the educational value and earn how to get involved in this project in the future. This project is known for the high impact it has on the students as they study the messages and inspirations found on the squares of each quilt. The project is engaging and fun, but more than that, it is educationally sound because of the educational value each teacher places on the project.
Send an email if you have comments, questions, or wish to be selected to be a part of next year’s project.
Create your own classroom quilt as a theme to what you study in your Iditarod unit or to demonstrate math, science, or other areas of your curriculum. Send us pictures of your quilt and tell us about your project. Share the project and the success that comes from your project.
Discover information about the 2008 Common Thread Quilt project, created by 2008 Target® Iditarod Teacher on the Trail™ Jane Blaile. Are you interested in creating and sending a quilt to another school? We’d like to hear your thoughts! Email.
Enjoy this year’s adventures of the Iditarod Traveling Quilts: One, Two, Three, and now….. Four!
This theme connects what teachers teach and students must know in a unique and value way. Jump start your school year by being on the Trail with us!
