The following lessons are in PDF format. They can be adapted for use at any grade level as part of character education, life skills, and behavior studies.
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Citizenship: What it Takes by Jane Blaile, 2008 Teacher on the Trail™
Lesson Summary: Using Iditarod Insider video segments, students will watch mushers, pilots, veterinarians, volunteers, or other Iditarod personnel in situations along the trail and observe how they exhibit good character into handle the situations. Topic: responsibility – listening, following directions, asking a question, being a good example, dependability
Stewardship: What it Takes by Jane Blaile, 2008 Teacher on the Trail™
Lesson Summary: Using Iditarod Insider, students will watch mushers, pilots, veterinarians, volunteers, or other Iditarod personnel in situations along the trail and observe how they exhibit good character into handle the situations. Topic: stewardship: the conducting, supervising, or managing of something; especially : the careful and responsible management of something entrusted to one’s care i.e., stewardship of our natural resources
Teaching Respect: What it Takes by Jane Blaile, 2008 Teacher on the Trail™
Lesson Summary: Using Iditarod Insider, students will watch mushers, pilots, veterinarians, volunteers, or other Iditarod personnel in situations along the trail and observe how they exhibit good character into handle the situations. Topic: respect – apologizing, dealing with embarrassment, joining in, offering help, accepting consequences, respect for others, self-respect, tolerance, respect for authority
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Charitable Giving: Service Learning by Jane Blaile, 2008 Teacher on the Trail ™
Lesson Summary: Students will learn that many mushers in the Iditarod take the commitment of the race an extra step by supporting a charitable organization or illness research project through their race efforts. Some students may choose to participate in service learning or supporting charitable organizations in their communities. Discipline / Subject: community service/character education/service learning
- Christmas – the season of giving-service learning
- Worksheet: Mushers Charitable Organizations/Causes
Evaluating Personal Goals and Attributes: Your Personal Slogan by Jane Blaile, 2008 Teacher on the Trail™
Lesson Summary: Students will discuss the Iditarod slogan “The Last Great Race on Earth” in relation to what it states about the Iditarod. Then they will create their own personal slogan to reflect who they are as a person. Topic: students self-description, self evaluation, goal setting
Developing a Positive Attitude by Jane Blaile, 2008 Teacher on the Trail™
Lesson Summary: Using Iditarod Insider video segments, students will watch mushers, pilots, veterinarians, volunteers, or other Iditarod personnel in situations along the trail and observe how they exhibit good character into handle the situations. Topic: positive attitude – accepting a compliment, giving a compliment, dealing with boredom, reacting to failure, thankfulness, positive speech
Self Control, Self Respect: What it Takes by Jane Blaile, 2008 Teacher on the Trail™
Lesson Summary: Using Iditarod Insider, students will watch mushers, pilots, veterinarians, volunteers, or other Iditarod personnel in situations along the trail and observe how they exhibit good character into handle the situations. Topic: self-control/self-discipline: completing assignments, relaxing, accepting “no”, learning from discipline, patience, keeping a good conscience
Responsibility in the Classroom Using Required Gear by Jane Blaile, 2008 Teacher on the Trail™
As mushers arrive at checkpoints along the trail, the checker goes through a list of required items for each one. In order to be able to continue the race, the musher must meet certain requirements. Classroom ‘required’ gear is developed to help students be more respectful and responsible
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Responsibility: What it Takes by Jane Blaile, Teacher on the Trail™
Lesson Summary: Using Iditarod Insider, students will watch mushers, pilots, veterinarians, volunteers, or other Iditarod personnel in situations along the trail and observe how they exhibit good character into handle the situations. Topic: responsibility – listening, following directions, asking a question, being a good example, dependability
What it Takes – responsibility
Goal Setting: What it Takes by Jane Blaile, 2008 Teacher on the Trail™
Lesson Summary: Using Iditarod Insider segments, students will watch mushers, pilots, veterinarians, volunteers, or other Iditarod personnel in situations along the trail and observe how they exhibit good character into handle the situations. Topic: goal setting – setting goals, facing challenges, having hopes and dreams
What it Takes to be Healthy and Happy by Jane Blaile, 2008 Teacher on the Trail™
Lesson Summary: Students will reflect on intrinsic qualities of people, contrast that to physical or skills abilities, and design an award for someone in their life celebrating his/her character. Topic: appreciation of others’ intrinsic qualities and personality traits
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Reflections on Cultural Perception by Jane Blaile, 2008 Teacher on the Trail™
Lesson Summary: Students will conduct a scavenger hunt to collect place names of their area that reflect the identity of it, the culture of it, and how others perceive it. Topic: culture and identity, perception of culture, diversity
8 Traits of Iditarod by Terrie Hanke, 2006 Teacher on the Trail™
8 Traits of Iditarod
I= Innovation
D= Diligence
I= Integrity
T= Team Work
A= Attitude
R= Respect
O= Optimism
D= Determination
8 Traits of Iditarod Articles: Click here
EIGHT Traits of IDITAROD (PDF Document, Lesson Plan)