The signs are everywhere. In today’s newspaper it can be seen over and over in advertising: Tax-Free Weekend, 100 Power Hour Specials, and more clearly stated, Back-To-Class Sale. It’s time to get ready for school.

Even if teachers haven’t officially started school, most are getting ready mentally. For example, my school year begins in ten days (not that I’m counting!), but the Pre-Kindergarten team of seven will be meeting this week. On Monday we will meet to take our “teacher photograph” (that we turn into a postcard and mail to our incoming students) followed by our annual back-to-school going out to dinner. Obviously this social gathering is not really “work”, but it is one of those signs that prepare us mentally for the job ahead.

There was one advertising quote that I really liked and thought was good for teachers to ponder as we ready for the year ahead: Expect Great Things. All teachers enter the school year expecting great things for their students, but how do we plan to make sure that happens? We can’t control all variables but we can implement good, consistent classroom procedures that will help us maximize our instructional time. To make this happen in our pre-kindergarten classrooms we use the Iditarod as a team-building theme to help us move smoothly through our school days. (The lesson is intended for Pre-K to 3rd Grade.)

Each morning I gather my students on our “Silver Circle of Love,” (I really do call it that) to start our day. The first order of business after songs and movement is to find out who will be the Lead Dog, Swing Dog, and Musher for the day. This is accomplished through a numbered rotation, where all “team” members’ names are displayed. The days Lead Dog answers calendar questions (see lesson plan Hike!), and when it is time to line up to go outside or to a special, they stand at the edge of the red rug in front of the door. The Swing Dog’s job is to hold the door open for his team, and the Musher gives the command to go by saying, “Hike,” “Mush,” or “Let’s Go!” when given the cue by the teacher.

This simple procedure implemented daily begins our thread of Iditarod instruction that runs through our curriculum. It allows us to manage our classrooms in a fun and exciting way, and more importantly, it works! Not only do the children look forward to being the Lead Dog, Swing Dog, and Musher, but it also allows teachers to emphasize the importance of the Team Dogs. Each and every dog on an Iditarod team has an important part to play. If the team is not working together they will not move smoothly down the trail. Moreover, it is an easy and effective method of classroom management integrated into the overall curriculum. I hope this Iditarod team procedure will help you move your class smoothly down the trail of learning this year.