Four Iditarod Traveling Quilts are on a special educational journey from school to school around the nation.  Each month, read about each quilt.  Get a glim pse of the lessons and activities that schools are involved in while hosting an Iditarod Quilt in their community.  This article will summarize Quilts 1, 2, and 3.   Read about Quilt 4 at this link.

Quilt 1 traveled to Watertown, South Dakota to visit the Kindergarten classroom of Denise Hoff.

A special package arrived in the classroom.  The students were excited to ‘meet’ the Iditarod Traveling Quilt that had traveled from one Dakota to the next.  As the teacher displayed the quilt, the discussion and Iditarod energy began in the kindergarten classroom. The students talked about each of  the squares.  They chose their favorite square and thought about reasons for choosing favorite squares.  The students also talked about dogs.  The students also looked at an enlarged map of Alaska.  The Iditarod Trail was outlined so all of the students could see the  race route of more than 1000 miles!  Smaller individual maps were made for the students.

Near the end of the month, two kindergarten classes and two second grade classes gathered  to meet special guests.  Mr. Brad VanMeter’ came to their school because Brad has visited Alaska and been at the start of the Iditarod  many times.   He has even helped get teams to the starting  line!  Dean Johnson was with Brad for the presentation as was Brad’s Alaskan sled dog, Desert.  Brad shared information about the race, the dogs, and about his friend, Iditarod Musher Vern Halter.

The students have read books about Akaika, Togo, and Swifty.  The movie, Balto was a thriller for the students to watch!

The students designed their own quilt square and submitted it to be a part of a future Iditarod Traveling quilt.

Later this year, the students will be making sleds from Popsicle sticks.   The students have plans to invite an Iditarod musher to visit the school, too.

When the race begins, Denise and the school administration will direct a school wide Iditarod Watch.

After visiting the school, Quilt 1 departed for Indiana.

Quilt 2

(To be updated soon!  Check back tomorrow!)

Quilt 3

Quilt arrived in Washington at Grand Mound Elementary.   The students enjoyed meeting quilt and discussing the messages that were found on each square of the quilt.  During the quilt’s stay at the school, the teacher cleverly integrated the themes found on each square of the quilt into the content learning for the students.

Interested in learning more about the Iditarod Traveling Quilt project?  Read this article and follow the links.

]]> http://iditarodblogs.com/teachers/2009/11/05/adventures-of-the-traveling-quilts-october/feed/ 0 http://iditarodblogs.com/teachers/2009/11/04/meet-the-musher-aliy-zirkle/ http://iditarodblogs.com/teachers/2009/11/04/meet-the-musher-aliy-zirkle/#comments Wed, 04 Nov 2009 15:50:20 +0000 Diane http://iditarodblogs.com/teachers/?p=1569 By Joy Davis, Educational Journalist, IN

Aliy Zirkle of Two Rivers, Alaska is no stranger to the Iditarod.  The 2010 Iditarod will be Aliy’s tenth.  When asked how racing has changed in 10 years Aliy replied, “Definitely the dogs have changed.  Sadly, Alaskan huskies don’t live as long as mushers, so some of my dogs from my first Iditarod are quite old and retired now.  It is sad, but it is also neat to see their pups and grand pups on my team.”

SP Kennels is the family business.  Aliy said, “We run the kennel and all of the operations including races, tours and training as a business.  Our business is funded by sponsors, our tour operations, race winnings and presentations and talks.”  Aliy maintains a kennel of 50 dogs.  Taking care of the dogs helps to keep her in shape year round.  The dogs take June and July off as it is too hot to train.  During this time Aliy and her husband, fellow musher Allen Moore, build cabins.  She said, “In a normal year, we will buy a piece of land and build in June to September.  We often sell them in August or September.”  Also, during this time Aliy likes to canoe, fish and see what ‘summer’ Alaska has to offer.

Training typically starts again in August.  Occasionally the dogs train on a treadmill.  During the racing season Aliy also bumps up her physical training.  She has an onsite workout cabin with a Bowflex and a treadmill.

Motivation is easy to come by.  Aliy loves to be with her dogs while exploring the outdoors.  She said, “They would run all day every day, if it were up to them- I guess I just try to ‘keep up with them’.”  In preparation for the Iditarod, Aliy plans to race in the Sheep Mountain 150, Copper Basin, Denali Doubles and the Two Rivers Solstice 100/50.

In addition to her racing dogs, Aliy also has a Labrador retriever.  I asked her if she has a favorite dog and she replied, “That’s like asking a mother who her favorite child is.”  Some of her dogs have retired to become inside dogs at leisure.

Aliy summed up why she races.  She said, “I have proud moments every year as I watch my dog team pull me across the finish line in Nome.  These are dogs that I have raised, trained and conditioned.  They trust me and have worked with me for 1000 miles.  There is often a huge proud smile on my face watching these incredible buddies!”

Please visit Aliy’s websites at:  www.aliyzirkle.com and naturalextremes.com

Keep smiling Aliy.  Have a wonderful race season!

Visit Aliy’s Blog

(Photo, “Aliy on the Trail”,  submitted by Aliy Zirkle)

Adventure equals excitement for Sebastian Schnuelle of Whitehorse, Yukon Territory, Canada.  For those of you new to following the Iditarod, Sebastian finished second in 2009, completing the race in 10 days 5 hours 5 minutes, finishing with 13 dogs.  He has started and finished the Iditarod every year since 2005 improving his standing every year.

I asked Sebastian how he thought sled dog racing has changed since he became involved in 1998.  He said, “When I first started racing I really did not know what I was in for.  I knew so little that I did not even know how little I knew.  That was back in 1998, when I first attempted running the Copper Basin 300 trying to qualify for the Yukon Quest.  I had a pretty rough start in racing and saw it more as a big adventure and not as racing.  So I do not really know what went on racing wise when I started.  For myself over the last 5 years I have learned to pace myself, train and run slower.  Distance racing is all about patience.”

Sebastian has started the Yukon Quest 6 times.  In 1999 he scratched.  Then he finished the race in the top 10 each time in 2004, 2005, 2006, and 2007.  In 2009 he was the first place finisher.  He set a new Yukon Quest record of 9 days 23 hours and 20 minutes.

It’s hard to believe that Sebastian used to wear a suit and tie to work.  He likes being out in the bush and has no close neighbors so the dogs can be loose when he walks them.  There is no running water or power in his cabin, which also keeps him in shape doing the necessary chores such as hauling water, chopping wood, and taking care of the dogs.  Other than that, he is not much of a fan of workouts. When training and racing, Sebastian said that he sometimes uses a ski pole behind the sled, but generally tries to help as little as possible.  He said, “I try to not run or pedal to help the dogs.  That is why I run dogs and not marathons.”

With all the work at the kennel, Sebastian doesn’t work a “regular” job.  The dogs are his job whether they are racing or working at tour operations.  The dogs exercise year round, on a glacier during the summer where they give sled rides to tourists and during the winter they are running on longer expedition type trips.  This helps to keep them in shape.

Currently there are 50 dogs in the kennel, of which 24 are trained for racing.   Four of those race dogs belong to Jon Little and one belongs to Richie Beattie.   Two handlers assist with the daily work and training.  Sebastian’s days are full.  He is up and going by 6 a.m.   By 7:30 a.m. the dogs are ready to go for training.  When the weather is warm he starts earlier.  The team is back at the kennel around noon.  The dogs get to rest while Sebastian takes care of lunch and emails.  The afternoon work is generally maintenance.  When the weather is cooler he runs a second team in the evening.  He trains his dogs to run slow and steady.  This keeps the dogs happy and healthy.  The dogs are definitely a 7 day a week job.  Sebastian said, “Once it gets closer to race time I will have a few more helping hands arriving to help with the organizing.”

Sebastian also enjoys training mushers for racing.  Other mushers have also used his dogs to race the Quest 300, Copper Basin 300, Yukon Quest and the Iditarod.  He said, “2 years ago Rudi Niggemeier came in 43rd in the Iditarod with a team of mine.  Last year Mark Sleightholme came in 11th in the Yukon Quest.”  Sebastian is planning to run two 300 milers before the Iditarod.  He would like to finish the season with the Kobuk 440.

“I thrive on challenge,” said Sebastian.  There is a line from the 2009 Iditarod DVD that says “these are people who squeeze pleasure out of misery.”  As he thrives on the uncertainty, Sebastian loves it when the going gets tough.  He said, “Last year I enjoyed myself the whole way, both in the Quest and Iditarod.  Although I did get worried on the long 15 hour run from Unalakleet to Koyuk going through that wind, I remember camping on the Yukon River close to the Kandik Cabin and thinking to myself-too bad that this trip is already over in 2 days.”

Here’s wishing Sab a season of challenges and adventures.  Please visit his websites at:  www.bluekennels.de or www.sebastianschnuelle.com

(Photos submitted by Sebastian.)

If you are planning to attend the start of the 2010 Iditard, consider bidding to be an Idita-Rider.  Learn more!

1.  Sign up to be a participating school. You will be assigned a school in need.

2.  Hold a fundraiser to purchase new books for students.

3.  Send books in January, February, or March as a part of our Iditarod Books to the Trail project.

View a PDF Project Document to learn more about the project.

*Most of our books go to schools in Alaska.  If you are a school ‘elsewhere’ and in need of new books or school materials and supplies, please let us know so that you can be placed on our list for future book distribution.

*Most participating schools create a scrapbook of their school, community, and state to send to ‘their school’.  Sometimes the participating school sends other school supplies, too.  (Colorful, fun pencils, small notebooks, markers, crayons, stickers, or other necessary school items.)

*Most participating schools take book orders during their fundraiser and have the books sent to ‘their school’ directly from the book company.  Some schools collect the actual books and have them shipped to ‘their school’.  This project can be designed in a way that best meets the participating school’s needs.   All projects result in new books to students who need them and appreciate receiving the books.

To participate or ask other questions, send an email.

When one thinks of Jamaica, palms trees and crystal clear waters probably come to mind.   The last thing one would envision is a big grinned native being pulled by a dog sled team.  Well, get ready to shatter your previously held beliefs about Jamaica because Newton Marshall has arrived on the scene.

In 2009, Newton became the first Jamaican to finish the Yukon Quest.   Now he has his sights on the Iditarod, and he isn’t without tons of support.  Jimmy Buffet of Margaritaville’s fame, along with several other businesses, are backing this unlikely mushing team.  Oh yeah, did I mention that Lance Mackey is helping him train?

So, when I saw that Newton was going to be at the Adventure Travel Expo in New York City, I just had to go and meet the man for myself. At the end of an aisle full of Caribbean destinations, I found Newton and his support team chatting with curious patrons.  I waited my turn and introduced myself as a huge Iditarod fan and teacher.  He was surprised that I had come just to see him.  We talked about the Yukon Quest and how his training for the Iditarod is progressing.

Danny Melville, the founder of Jamaican Dog Sled team, was eager to talk to my husband while my sons headed straight for the Alaskan Huskies brought by mushers from upstate New York.  They also had a dry land training vehicle on display.  It was such a training sled that started the JDT in 2005 when Danny bought one in Canada and got the crazy idea to start dog sledding in Jamaica.

As the booth got busy, Newton remained happy to chat with everyone and pass out his picture.  I was impressed by his youth and energy.   It will be an exciting year for Iditarod fans to have a musher from a tropical climate to cheer on.  As I said my goodbyes, I wished him luck on his upcoming fundraising events and told him I hope to see him on Fourth Street in March.

To find out more about the Jamaican Dog Sled Team, visit their website at www.jamaicadogsled.com.  Or for those of you who are on Facebook, you can join the fan page, Jamaican Dog Sled Team , to keep up with Newton’s journey to the Iditarod starting line.  You can also follow JDT on Twitter.

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Enjoy the slide show highlighting Sally and her family’s visit with Newton.

An I Kid A Rod is a simulated Iditarod that has been adapted to a school and local community.  Students take on the roles of mushers, veterinarians, race volunteers, dogs, or even challenges team meets along the race trail, such as wild animals or storms.  The ‘dogs’ pull Iditarod sleds which are sometimes real dog sleds but more often resemble down hill snow sleds, wagons, cardboard boxes, or any device a group of students can pull along the I Kid A Rod Race Trail.

At the I Kid A Rod checkpoints, while a musher feeds the dogs and veterinarians exam the teams, educational activities such as answering scientific questions, reading words cards,  or answering math facts displayed on flash cards, are often completed before a team leaves for the next I Kid A Rod checkpoint.

Each school designs the type of activity that best meets their needs according to their own climate, learning environment, available materials, and academic purpose of the activity.

Each I Kid A Rod is unique.  Some I Kid A Rod projects are held inside a building while most are held outside.

Some I Kid A Rod projects involve all students in a particular grade level while other projects involve all of the students in a school setting.

Some projects involve parents or other community volunteers.

Most projects are held on the school grounds and/or near the school’s location.  However some have been held at golf courses or along the beach at coast of the ocean.

No matter the location, the results are always the same!

Students have developed an ‘emotional connection’ to their curriculum while being involved in Iditarod projects.  They are eager to demonstrate the learning they’ve achieved (math, science, or other content areas) that has come directly from the curriculum’s Iditarod themed lessons. The students have fun before and during the I Kid A Rod.  The project is something they remember and the learning and memories last a life time.

View this I Kid A Rod PowerPoint to get a glimpse of an example of an I Kid A Rod held at an elementary school in Alaska.

I Kid A Rod PowerPoint

View a Quick Time Video of Students answering questions at a checkpoint.

Send us digital images of your I Kid A Rod and include the academic purpose and other specifics of the project.   We’ll share your project to help all schools interested in this project design their I Kid A Rod.

Images from 1999 Teacher on the Trail™  Finney’s I Kid A Rod

Alaskan author Shelley Gill has written 20 bestselling books and her aim is always to inspire with adventure, educate about the environment and leave her readers with a sense of wonder. One of the first women to race in the Iditarod, Gill visits schools around the world. Using a powerpoint presentation she takes students to the far corners of the earth, from Alaska to Baja to Antarctica, and using her adventures leaves them excited about reading and writing and life’s possibilities. Gill is a humpback whale researcher in Prince William Sound, has wrangled ponies in the Alaska Range and sailed to the bottom of the world. She would love to visit your school.   shelleygill.com

Pam Flowers:  Arctic Explore, Author, Musher

Bring arctic explorer, adventurer, Iditarod Musher, and author Pam Flowers  to your school.

“Pam is the author of four books, has written many magazine articles, produced an educational newsletter, spoken at the Smithsonian and the St. Louis Science Center, and lectured to over 650,000 students at over 1,100 public and private schools.”  Pam has two narrated PowerPoint presentations focusing on Pam’s expeditions.

Visit Pam’s website and learn more!

Libby Riddles:  First Woman to Win the Iditarod and Author

Libby is the author of several books and spends her summers sharing Iditarod and mushing with passengers as an on board lecturer in Juneau for Princess.

Learn more about Libby Riddles.

Read more about Quilt 4 (PDF Document)

Are you interested in being a part of the next year’s Traveling Quilt?  Send an email to get on next year’s travel schedule.  Create a virtual square and send it to the website for inclusion in the Iditarod Virtual Quilt.  Create and send a quilt square to be part of a future quilt.  Create your own quilt and send it on a journey. Find out more!

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Math – Data Collection, Graphing, and Analysis, Grades 5 and up.   Companion to this article,  Lesson Plan (PDF Doc.)

Video Clip: Women of the Iditarod, by Sally Simon (Windows Media Player)  Mrs. Simon used this clip with students during the 2009 Iditarod.

Topic:  Women of the Iditarod

Two days before my 47th birthday I discovered I’m a geek.

It all started the day before, with an empty bulletin board and the decision to start the Iditarod unit earlier than usual.  You see, I’m an enrichment teacher and only get once a week for six weeks in February and March to teach the Iditarod unit.  However, I’m in charge of a bulletin board near the front lobby of the school.  All fall, it challenged students to “Name that Tree” given pictures and clues.  Now it needed something new.  Something -winter.   I decided this would be a great opportunity to expand the Iditarod unit with a “Meet the Mushers” board!  Which mushers would be first?  I decide to explore the women of the 2009 Iditarod.

I started by going to the Iditarod website and pulling up this year’s musher data.  I copied the media picture of each woman musher and bulleted important information from their bios.  Noticing it took awhile–there were 16 women– I started to wonder.  What is the percentage of women mushers this year?  That was easy enough to find out–16 out of 73 –or about 22%.  I thought that was interesting, but I really had to get the bulletin board done, so I went into action mode leaving  my mathematical thoughts behind. Fast forward to the next morning–a peaceful, snowy Saturday.  I was lying in bed and started to wonder, “What percentage of women ran the Iditarod last year compared to this year?”  I know, it might sound strange, but that’s what I was thinking.  I made myself a cup of coffee, and returned to the Iditarod website.  There have to be archives there somewhere, right?

Within minutes, more data* was available at my fingertips than I ever imagined….everything from 1973 to the present—information about every musher and where they lived, who got to what checkpoint, when, even who won the awards for a given year.  My heart started to race!  OK, I’ll just look up the list from last year to satisfy my curiosity.  Before I knew it, I was making a table in Word and collecting data about the women who ran the Iditarod since it began.  It was fun.  It was exciting, and it gave me ideas for more data research.  Questions kept popping into my mind.  How many rookies were there each year?  How many mushers have been from other countries?  Has there ever been a musher from New York, my home state?  Who has run the most Iditarod races?

My head was spinning, but I returned to my focus of women mushers.   I calculated the percentages of women mushers each year including the starting field and those who finished the race (see attached).  When I was done, I looked at the chart and realized the work didn’t stop there.  There was analysis to be done.  More questions popped into my head like:  Why didn’t any women run the Iditarod for several years in a row?   Are there any patterns to be found in the data that relate to weather that year?  What happened during the 1980 race to make 24 of 60 mushers scratch? It even made me wonder if any women musher has ever run the race while pregnant!

A light bulb went off!   If I was this interested and excited by the data, then kids might be too—even middle school kids who sometimes pretend not to be interested in anything.  The opportunity to learn how to collect desired data (factual information) and even graph it in several ways using Excel, coupled with the decision making of how to analyze the results (which can be interpreted in many different ways depending on the purpose  or audience) is too compelling to pass up!  This is the stuff real researchers do, but in a context kids can get excited about!  I decided to write the idea up as a lesson plan to share here on the Iditarod website—the place where I got my inspiration. When did I discover I was a geek?  When my husband came into the room four hours later, asked me what I was doing, and saw the chart.  He didn’t even say anything.  He rolled his eyes and left the room.  I guess he already knew.

*To access the archived Iditarod data, go to the “Learn About” section, then in the right-hand column click “Past Race Archives.”  Go from there, but beware, it may be addicting!

Reader’s Theater Play:  Rules of the Iditarod