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Herb’s Lessons

Date: November 14, 2009

This section of the website will be added to periodically, so check back for new lessons and updates.

Lesson 1: Introduction to the Iditarod Sled Dog Race; Grades 2-8; Geography, Social Studies, and Science; This lesson introduces how climate relates to lifestyle and culture.

Lesson 2: The Alaskan Husky; Grades 4-8; Technology, Science; This lesson uses computer skills such as cutting, pasting, and saving a Word document as a vehicle to learn the unique characteristics of the Alaskan Husky. 

Lesson 3: Making Electricity from the Sun; Grades 4-12; Science, Technology, Geography, Environmental Education; In this hands on lesson students see how the angle of a solar panel in relationship to the sun’s rays directly effects voltage output.  The Internet is used to research the average hours of sunlight per day for locations across the globe.    

Lesson 4: Wilderness Survival; Grades 4-8; Social Studies, Environmental Education; Students actually build a debris shelter(or model) as they study the hierarchy of survival priorities.  Read Iditarod stories of survival from the book More Iditarod Classics.

Lesson 5:The Reason for the Seasons; Grades 2 -6;  Science, Environmental Education; Students learn about the tilt of the earth and the angle of incidents of the sun’s rays and explain the causes of seasonal change.

Lesson 6: Are We There Yet; Grades 5-12; Technology, Geography; Find out how far it is from your house to Alaska and how long it will take to get there driving, walking, or using public transportation.

Lesson 7: Why is Iditarod a Ghost Town ; Grades 4-12; Environmental Education, Social Studies; Students determine the best place to locate a village by evaluating several locations for available water resources, type of soil, signs of wildlife, and ease of travel.

Lesson 8: The Cold Hard Facts; Grades 4 and above; Technology, Science, Math;In this lesson students use an Excel spreadsheet to record temperature data from their local area and a location in Alaska.  They also use the graphing capability of Excel to create a graph that compares the 2 locations.

Posted by herb in Secondary Tagged , , , ,

Saving Toner, Money and Trees

Date: November 9, 2009

Our school is in the process of starting a recycling program.  I’m sure there are many schools out there that have been recycling for several years, but living in a rural area presents some unique challenges when it comes to recycling.  Many of the trash haulers still do not provide a means to recycle.  People in our area who wish to recycle have to haul their own recyclables to a central location where there is a roll off container.  Many companies will not even supply a container or wish to be involved in recycling because it ends up costing them money due to the distance they have to travel.  It is actually costing our school district more to change haulers so that we can start a recycling program!!!  But, in the long run, our students will be better off by becoming educated about the process, by becoming part of doing something to help our planet, and by reducing their carbon footprint.

Not only is recycling a great idea, but what about reducing the amount of printing done at the school so that less paper is used?  If you want some motivation to reduce, get a hold of your school district’s paper budget.  Sit down first though before you look at it. And, if you want to create a visual for others to see the need to cut back on paper use, borrow the gym and create a pile of boxes big enough to hold the number of reams of paper your school uses in a year.  If you want another shock, figure out how many trees it would take to make that amount of paper.  Not a pretty site.

So, I’ve come up with a number of ways to use less paper and to save money on printing.

1. Have students do assignments in the computer lab and save them to a folder on a drive so that you can down load them to a flash drive.  It is a lot easier to carry a flash drive home in your pocket than a bag full of papers.

2.  Use one of the free test makers on the internet rather than printing your tests out.  http://www.teach-nology.com/downloads/test/

3.  Make worksheets on the computer and save them to a drive that is accessable to your students.  If you go to Tools in the tool bar, and then come down to Protect Document in the drop down menu, you can lock your document so the questions can’t be changed.  You can also provide fields for the students to type their answers.

4.  Only print one copy on your computer printer.  Use a potocopier to make multiple copies.  Copier costs are much less than printer costs.

5.  Some printers are capable of printing duplex. Suggest to your purchasing department that they buy printers of this type.

6. Print to a laser printer instead of an inkjet printer.

7. Make sure students are not printing things they shouldn’t be printing.

8. To save toner, change your printer default to draft mode.

9. Always do a Print Preview before printing to verify that you are only printing pages that you need.

10. For color printers, only print color if needed.

Each one of the above suggestions by itself is no great savings, but if we all follow them, and make them a habit, together we can make a difference.  Live lightly!!!

Posted by herb in Environmental Ed, Messages

Introduction to the Iditarod Sled Dog Race

Date: August 23, 2009

Introduction to the Iditarod Sled Dog Race
Developed by: Herb Brambley
Discipline / Subject: Geography/Social Studies/Science
Topic: Iditarod Sled Dog Race
Grade Level: 1 and above
Resources / References / Materials Teacher Needs:Movie – Nanook of the NorthMovie – Alone in the Wilderness

Book – Enchantment of America:Alaska

Book – Balto by Natalie Standiford

Globe

Flashlight

Internet site with animation of earth’s orbit:

http://www.uwsp.edu/geo/faculty/ritter/geog101/textbook/energy/earth_sun_relations_seasons.html

Lesson Summary: This lesson introduces Alaska and the Iditarod to the students.  It is also a lesson on why we experience the change in seasons.
Standard’s Addressed: (Local, State, or National)1. NSES 6.4 Earth and Space Science2. PA S&T 3.4D Explain and illustrate the cause of seasonal change.

3. USNGS 6 How Culture and Experience Influence People’s Perceptions of Places and Regions

4. NCSS 3 People Places and Environments
Learning Objectives:1. Students will describe the movement of the earth in relationship to the sun.2. Students will explain how the tilt of the earth relates to the change in seasons.

3. Students will identify differences between our culture and that of people from the artic regions.

 Method of assessment for learning

  1. Students will draw the tilt of the earth and its relationship to the sun in each of the 4 seasons.
  2. Students will demonstrate the movement and tilt of the earth in relationship to the sun.
  3. Students will list differences between their culture and Nanook’s culture.
Procedural Activities

  1. Using the globe and solar system model, describe the orbit of the earth around the sun.
  2. Use the flashlight and globe to show how the tilt of the earth causes parts of the earth to receive less sunlight certain times of the year.
  3. Show students the Internet site with the animation of earth’s orbit.
  4. Since we receive heat and light energy from the sun, parts of the earth get less heat and light during some months and are therefore colder.
  5. Relate lifestyle and culture to climate.
  6. Show students the movie Nanook of the North.
  7. Have students list differences and similarities in culture they observed.
Materials Students Need:Worksheet page with picture of the sun and earth’s orbit.
Technology Utilized to Enhance Learning:Computer with internet access to show animation of earth’s orbit.
Other Information:Preview Nanook before showing it to your class. Some material may not be suitable for children.
Modifications for Special Learners/ Enrichment Opportunities:This is a great hands-on lesson for learning the orbit and tilt of the earth.Students who understand the concept of earth’s tilt may describe in their journals the affect there would be on the seasons if earth had no tilt.

Posted by herb in Lessons, Science, Social Studies Tagged ,

“A Trail to Every Classroom”

Date: August 12, 2009

SAMSUNG DIGITAL CAMERA I recently attended the National Park Service Teacher Conference called A Trail to Every Classroom. The 2009 cohort included 49 participants from Maine, New Hampshire, Connecticut, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Tennessee, and North Carolina. In addition to teachers from the above mentioned states which the Appalachian Trail traverses, there was staff from three other trails; Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail, the proposed Mississippi River Trail, and yes, you guessed it, the Iditarod National Historic Trail.

So, what is this Trail to Every Classroom? TEC is a workshop administered by the National Park Service which helps teachers develop a curriculum for their school using the Appalachian Trail as a recreational, environmental and educational resource. The Trail to Every Classroom curriculum has several functions, 1) to get students outside, experiencing the environment, 2) to get them actively involved in their community performing a needed service, and 3) to teach students the unique history of their community so that they know why and how their community originated. These goals are accomplished by using two teachings methods; Service Learning and Placed Based Education.

Who benefits from TEC? Everyone! That’s the great thing about using these methods to teach students. The students aren’t learning in a vacuum. They are actively participating in their learning as active members of their community. Students also benefit by using all of the content areas during their involvement. The very nature of TEC lends itself easily to a multidisciplinary approach. As an example of this, during the TEC summer workshop, teachers could attend a technology session where they learned to use a GPS as a teaching tool in their classroom. They also had the opportunity to attend a science oriented environmental quality monitoring session where they were learning about the effects of air pollution on vegetation and soil, doing a macroinvertebrate study in water and in the soil.


And what was I doing there? Other than playing a lot of music every night and eating the fantastic meals prepared by the kitchen staff at the National Conservation Training Center, where the conference was held, I did a presentation on the Iditarod Race and I worked on developing a TEC program for Alaska with 3 wonderful people; 2 from the United States Forest Service and 1 from Alaska Geographic. As many of you already know, especially those that attended the winter conference, I love to play my guitar and I use a lot of music in my classroom. At the conference, I met someone from Vermont who had a mandolin and an accordion, and another person from Missouri who played the harmonica, and it wasn’t long before we had a 3 man band. You should have been there!!!

Posted by herb in Messages, Trail to Every Classroom

Meet Herb Brambley: Target® 2010 Iditarod Teacher on the Trail™

Date: June 22, 2009

Teacher on the trail Finalist Herb Brambley, Target® 2010 Iditarod Teacher on the TrailTM.

View Herb’s Lessons for Students.

Visit the Teacher on the Trail Blog

Herb, along with his wife Jamie, who is a librarian, live in a log home they built and now share with 3 huskies, 5 cats, and a mule.  Herb is a K-6 environmental education and technology teacher at Southern Fulton Elementary School in Warfordsburg, Pennsylvania.  He is also a part time grant writer for the district and has been instrumental in helping the school secure more than $115,000 for the environmental program and the nature trail.  Herb says he has the best teaching job anywhere and also the biggest classroom, since his classroom is the 140 acre school property of woods and fields, which also includes a pond, wetlands, and several streams.

Before becoming a teacher, Herb had a variety of occupations.  He was a farmer, blacksmith, farrier, sawyer, machinist and tool and die maker.  Having these experiences has enriched Herb’s classroom by giving him the necessary background from which to draw upon in order to make real life situations a part of the curriculum in his classroom.  What better way is there to give meaning to learning other than to use the lessons to solve problems students may face once they are in the real world?  Herb was also a Youth Conservation Corp Crew Leader for the United States Forest Service at the Teton Basin Ranger District in Driggs, Idaho.  That was one of the most rewarding and fun jobs he says he ever had.  Imagine getting paid to experience the Tetons and all the adventures they provide and, at the same time, teach students how to care for a fantastic resource so that it is there for future generations.  Speaking of future generations, the next generation has recently been added to Herb’s family by way of a grandson Zeke, and a granddaughter Ella.

Herb also volunteers his time to several community organizations.   He has been treasurer for the local soccer club for 20 years, and because of his extensive experience playing and coaching soccer, he also is a clinician at soccer clinics for coaches.  After receiving the necessary training, Herb became a Trail Stewardship Coordinator for the Pennsylvania Equine Council.    His skill and experience in building and maintaining trail has also led to a volunteer position with the Mid State Trail Association as a trail maintainer.

One project Herb’s school will be participating in this year is the “Books to the Trail” program.  Schools involved in this program hold a fundraiser to help schools in need receive books.

When Herb isn’t coaching soccer you can find him working with his Huskies.  He recently acquired a dog sled and spent a major portion of his spare time last winter viewing the blue ridge mountains of Central Pennsylvania from the back of a dog sled.

If you ask Herb, there’s no better way to travel than dog sled and it sure beats the noise and toxic exhaust of a four-wheeler or snowmobile.

If you ask us, there will be no better way to spend the 2009 – 2010 school year than being on the Iditarod Trail with the Target® Iditarod 2010 Teacher on the TrailTM Herb Brambley.

Posted by Diane in 2010 Herb's Lessons, Messages Tagged

Legends: Raven…A Trickster Tale From The Pacific Northwest

Date: February 19, 2009

Lesson Plan Summary:  This plan gives direction in sharing the story of Raven, the trickster-hero from the Native Alaskan oral tradition.

Download Lesson Plan: Legends: Raven…A Trickster Tale From The Pacific Northwest

Posted by Cathy (2009) in Language Arts, Lessons Tagged

Cathy’s Canine Treats

Date: February 15, 2009

Lesson Plan Summary:  This lesson provides a great recipe for making your very own dog bone cookies!

Download Lesson Plan:  Cathy’s Canine Treats

Posted by Cathy (2009) in Family Consumer Science, Lessons, Math Tagged

Make a Volcano!

Date: February 7, 2009

Summary:  Teachers and students can make their own model of a volcano following this simple plan.

Download Lesson Plan:  Make a Volcano!

Volcano Model

Posted by Cathy (2009) in Lessons, Science, Social Studies Tagged ,

Numbers

Date: February 4, 2009

Numbers.  The bottom line.  In the recent presidential election the winner was decided by who had the most votes.  The more dogs you have at the end of the race, the higher you are likely to finish.  Last Sunday in the Super Bowl, there were all kinds of numbers given, first downs, completed passes, etc, but the bottom line, the numbers that decide which team won the game, are the ones on the scoreboard, 27-23.  The high score wins.  At this point in my cancer treatment I am playing a numbers game too, and again the high score wins.  The higher my white and red blood cell counts are, the healthier I am.  Currently my counts are so low that I cannot eat fresh fruits or vegetables for fear that some germ may not get washed off and attack my weakened immune system.  I am still fatigued by anemia.  My hope and prayer is that my numbers will steadily increase-which they are doing!-to the point that I am healthy enough to board that plane to Alaska on February 24.  The bottom line is in the numbers.

So with all the ways numbers affect our lives I thought it was time to post a few number lessons.  One lesson is for building up the excitement of The Last Great Race on Earth by counting down the days until Iditarod XXXVII.  The second is a fun lesson on learning to skip count by 5’s using dog bones and tally marks.  And in the third lesson students will sort dog bones by color, demonstrate 1-1 correspondence in counting, and show conceptual understanding of the terms more, less, and equal.  Since my last message, I did post a lesson on phonological awareness using the book, Sled Dogs Run, by Jonathan London with illustrations by Jon Van Zyle.  The teacher’s guide that accompanies the lesson is filled with ideas that can be used for transition times, dismissal, as well as small and whole group instruction.  I hope you can add these lessons to your Iditarod studies.  Happy Trails!

Posted by Cathy (2009) in Lessons, Math, Messages Tagged

Dog Bone Tally

Date: February 3, 2009

Summary:  In this lesson students will learn to skip count by fives using tally marks and dog bones.

Download Lesson Plan:  Dog Bone Tally

Download Lesson Plan Supplement:  Tally Sheet

Posted by Cathy (2009) in Lessons, Math Tagged , ,

Sort and Count Dog Bones

Date: February 1, 2009

Summary:  Students will sort dog bones by color, demonstrate 1-1 correspondence, and show conceptual understanding of the terms more, less, and equal in this lesson.

Download Lesson Plan:  Sort and Count Dog Bones

Posted by Cathy (2009) in Lessons, Math Tagged ,

Use the book, Sled Dogs Run, to teach phonological skills

Date: January 28, 2009

Summary:  This lesson teaches phonological awareness skills (word awareness, syllable awareness, rhyming, and sound awareness) using the rich vocabulary found in the book, Sled Dogs Run, by Jonathan London with illustrations by Jon Van Zyle.

Download Lesson Plan:  Sled Dogs Run

Download Lesson Plan Supplement:  Sled Dogs Run Teacher’s Guide

Posted by Cathy (2009) in Language Arts, Lessons, Messages Tagged ,

Compassion in Action!

Date: January 19, 2009

Way back on July 23, 2008 I posted the first two of my four part, Iditarod themed character education program, using the acronym RACE for the Last Great Race on Earth.  The “R” stands for respect and responsibility, the “A” for attitude, the “C” for compassion, and the “E” for excellence, personal excellence.  We can see all of these traits exhibited in the mushers and their relationships with their dogs and each other.  It is also evident in the many volunteers that help make the Iditarod happen.  

So, after this message you will find the compassion and excellence pieces of this program.  They have accompanying songs and  lists of Iditarod Insider videos showing that particular tenet.  I have had success using this program in a one-week summer camp, highlighting one tenet a day, Monday through Thursday, then reviewing by making the RACE necklace (July 23) on the last day.  And it is equally successful using it in the regular classroom in a three or four week study.

Pre-K Students Visiting with Maybelle at Asheville Manor.During the compassion piece of the program, we encourage creating a service project.  For example, the three pre-k classes at my school visit an assisted living community each month of the school year.  The children sing five to seven songs about their recent studies to the residents and then go around and give hugs and handshakes, introducing themselves and wishing the Grandma’s and Grandpa’s greetings of the season, “Happy New Year,”  “Happy Valentine’s Day”, etc.  Every class in our school has their own special project.  The kindergarten works with the Humane Society, the second grade is in charge of the weekly recycling for the entire lower school, and the list goes on.  Compassion has no boundaries.

Most recently I have been blessed beyond measure by the compassion of my school.  My principal, Claudia Sherry, sets high, but loving standards for our lower school in so many ways.  She is quick to assess a need and develop a plan.  Not long after I told her of my cancer diagnosis, Claudia whipped up an action plan that offered families in my school the opportunity to pour out compassion on me (and my family) in a very tangible way.  She sent a letter to lower school families telling them of my diagnosis and that my oncologist was out of my insurance network.  She went on to say that my church would be taking care of any meal needs my family required so if they would like to help with medical costs, the school would be happy to collect donations on my behalf.  To date folks have given an extraordinary $9,000.  Of course, I cry happy tears at every deposit, but the last deposit really released the floodgates.  The father of one of my colleagues-a man I have never met-donated an amazing $3,000!  May we all be encouraged by the selfless compassion of such a heart.

Posted by Cathy (2009) in Character Ed.& Assets, Lessons, Messages Tagged

Compassion – Character Education

Date: January 17, 2009

Summary:  This lesson(s) will focus on the third tenet of the acronym RACE, compassion.  Through song, reading, video, discussion, drama, and a service project students will identify and demonstrate compassion. 

Download Lesson Plan:  Compassion – Character Education

Download Lesson Supplement:  Compassion Song 

Posted by Cathy (2009) in Character Ed.& Assets, Lessons Tagged , ,

Personal Excellence – Character Education

Date: January 15, 2009

Summary:  This lesson(s) will focus on the fourth tenet of the acronym RACE, excellence.  Through song, reading, video, discussion, and drama students will identify and demonstrate personal excellence.

Download Lesson Plan:  Personal Excellence – Character Education

Download Lesson Supplement:  Personal Excellence Song 

Posted by Cathy (2009) in Character Ed.& Assets, Lessons Tagged , ,

Let’s Sing In the New Year!

Date: January 9, 2009

One of the many things I miss about being out of the classroom is not being able to sing with the children every day. I love to sing, and I especially love to sing Iditarod songs. Right now I can’t be the one to teach my little friends these songs. So, let me live vicariously through all of you folks out there in internet land. Please sing these songs with your students. I guarantee you will find at least one or two that you will end up using every year. My friend Paula from Arkansas had her students perform Iditarod, Iditarod, A Dog Sled Race and the Iditarod Checkpoint song at her school’s holiday concert. They were the hit of the show!

To make singing in the classroom easier for you, I have recorded seven of my Iditarod tunes on a CD. All you have to do is download the songs, burn them onto a CD, and then you have me to sing along with. Many of the songs I posted on August 12 are on the CD, so go there for a copy of the words. The song I am giving you today is the Iditarod Checkpoint Song. I piggybacked this song to the tune of Rudolph, the Red Nosed Reindeer. Since there are so many checkpoints it really is helpful to have the sound track to learn this song.

This song is an easy lesson to tie-in to your geography studies. Students can follow the race on a wall map hung in the classroom. Maps of the trail can be found at the official website http://www.iditarod.com/. Let’s see how many students can name all of the checkpoints in order by race time!

Click here to listen to Cathy’s tunes and see all of Cathy’s Idita- Tune lessons.

Posted by Cathy (2009) in Lessons, Messages, Music Tagged ,

The Iditarod Checkpoint Song

Date: January 8, 2009

Summary: Here are the lyrics to The Iditarod Checkpoint Song. Write them on a song chart or overhead transparency to help students learn the names of the checkpoints as they sing aong with the music.  (See the link on the left hand menu bar for the music.)

Download Lesson Plan: The Iditarod Checkpoint Song

Posted by Cathy (2009) in Lessons, Music Tagged ,

Language Arts Lessons

Date: November 10, 2008

(Lessons are PDF documents.  These lessons can easily be adapted to any grade level.)


The 6 Traits of Writing by Jane Blaile, 2008 Teacher on the Trail™

Lesson Summary: Students will practice the trait of good ‘Word Choice’ in writing about the Iditarod.  language arts – writing, Grades 2 – 8

6 Traits Writing – menu

Barking Up the Right Tree (6 Traits of Writing) by Jane Blaile, 2008 Teacher on the Trail™

Lesson Summary: Students will practice using the trait of voice in writing about the Iditarod.  Topic: the 6 + 1 Traits™ for writing –trait of voice, Grade 3 – 8

Barking Up the Right Tree (6 traits writing)
Worksheet: voice rubric

6 Traits of Writing (Order) by Jane Blaile, 2008 Teacher on the Trail™

Lesson Summary: Students will practice the trait of organization using descriptions of activities and development in a sled dog pup’s first year of life.  Topic: the trait of organization, grades 1 – 4

Order! Order! (6 Traits writing)
Worksheet: organization rubric

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6 Traits of Writing, Word Choice by Jane Blaile, 2008 Teacher on the Trail™

Lesson Summary: Students will practice the trait of good ‘Word Choice’ in writing about the Iditarod.  Topic: the trait of Word Choice, grades 2-8

Choose Your Words Wisely (6 Traits writing)

Creating 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.  Writing, Character Education, Any grade level

Your Personal Slogan

Literature Connection:  Woodsong by Gary Paulsen, Developed by Jane Blaile, 2008 Teacher on the Trail™

Journal ideas for grades 4 – 8 using Woodsong. Integrates Iditarod Insider video into the lessons.

Woodsong Journal Ideas

Literature Connections: Cinderella, By Jane Blaile, 2008 Teacher on the Trail™

Lesson Summary: After a comparative study of Cinderella stories from around the world, the students will write an Alaskan/Iditarod based story using the key elements of a Cinderella story. Language Arts/Literature/Creative Writing,  Topic: fairy tales, Grades 3-8

Alaskan Cinderella Stories (literature)

Vocabulary Development by Jane Blaile, 2008 Teacher on the Trail™

Lesson Summary: This activity, which is a technique for teaching English language learners, teaches students to evaluate unknown vocabulary words by creating a concept map. Discipline/Subject: vocabulary study for any subject/discipline, Grades 4-8

In Other Words (vocab)
Worksheet: vocabulary map

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An Alaskan Living Wax Museum by Jane Blaile, 2008 Teacher on the Trail™

Lesson Summary: After a study of Alaska, its history, geography, climate, animals, and culture, students will create a museum display based on one of the areas.  Topic: Alaskan Culture, history, geography, native people, and climate, Grades 3 – 8

Alaskan Living Wax (cross-curricular)
Worksheet: wax museum abstract rubric
Worksheet: wax museum display rubric

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Sled Dog Resume by Kim Slade, 2007 Teacher on the Trail™

Lesson Summary:  Students use creative writing to compose a resume that features a sled dog applying for the job of an Iditarod racer.  Language Arts, Creative Writing, Grades 4 – 8

Sled Dog Resume
Worksheet: Resume
Worksheet: Resume Sample

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Iditarod Billboards by Kim Slade, 2007 Teacher on the Trail™

Lesson Summary: After studying advertisements, students create imaginary billboards advertising make-believe products that could be sold to mushers.  Language Arts, Writing Slogans, Grades 3 – 8

Iditarod BillboardsWorksheet: Iditarod Billboard Worksheet

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Inside the Iditarod! The 5 ‘W’s’ by Kim Slade, 2007 Teacher on the Trail™

Lesson Summary:  Students will summarize Press Release from the Iditarod website by utilizing the 5 W’s strategy.  Reading/Writing/Communications, Grades 3 – 7

Inside the Iditarod
Worksheet: Iditarod 5 W’s

Comparing and Contrasting Famous Sled Dogs by Kim Slade, 2007 Teacher on the Trail™

Lesson Summary:  Students will compare and contrast two sled dogs, Balto and Togo, using literature and mathematics.  Reading, writing, Grades 3 – 5

Famous Sled Dogs
Worksheet: Balto & Togo – Compare/Contrast
Worksheet: Iditarod Math: Balto & Togo


Passport to Iditarod Adventures by Kim Slade, 2007 Teacher on the Trail™

Lesson Summary:  Students will embark on an imaginary tour of the United States (Florida, Alaska, and their own state). In their travels, they will be learning about the various locations they will be visiting.  Travel Journal Writing, Research, Measuring, Environmental Studies, Any grade level

Passport
Worksheet: Passport Cover
Worksheet: Passport Page 2
Worksheet: Passport Page 3
Worksheet: Passport Page 4
Worksheet: My Route Log

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Follow this link to Language Arts Lessons from Terrie Hanke, 2006 Teacher on the Trail™

Posted by Diane in Language Arts, Lessons

Let’s Celebrate Alaska’s 50th Anniversary!

Date: October 30, 2008

I’d like to introduce my one-year-old Siberian husky. His name is Jake, and he is posing in this picture wearing a reusable Target® bag. Jake is pointing out that sled dogs think it is a very cool idea to help take care of our environment by using cloth or reusable shopping bags. My one-year-old Siberian husky, Jake.He hopes that you will want to join him in cutting down on the use of dangerous and unsightly plastic bags. To encourage your class or school to participate in a “Don’t Forget the Bag Week” program, the Iditarod Education Department would like to issue certificates of participation. In addition, I will post the names of each school that participates on this website

Our goal is to have 50 schools participate. The number 50 was selected to honor the state of Alaska as it celebrates its fiftieth year of statehood in 2009. Please send the name of the sponsoring teacher, school or class, address, and the day of your event to: click here. Then publicize your event and help us reach the goal! I will post the list in mid-March, after the Red Lantern winner has crossed the finish line in Nome.

Jake also reminded me that it was time to post some husky related lessons. So here are two lessons to encourage PK-K students with number readiness. Happy Tails!

Posted by Cathy (2009) in Environmental Ed, Lessons, Messages Tagged ,

Husky Number Cards

Date: October 29, 2008

Summary: 16 husky number cards help students learn number order and one-to-one correspondence.  The accompanying songs teach adding and taking away one.

Download Lesson Plan:  Husky Number Cards

Download Lesson Supplement:  Husky Take Away Song

Download Lesson Supplement:  Husky Plus One Song

Posted by Cathy (2009) in Lessons, Math Tagged ,