Category: Classroom Lesson Ideas

Virtual Trail Journey (northern) – Nulato at Mile 657 by Sanka W. Dog

The village of Nulato (nu-LAU-toe) is situated on the mighty Yukon 52 miles down river from Galena. Well before the town was incorporated in 1963, Athabascans from the interior and Eskimos from the coast met at Nulato for trading. After the Russian explorer Malakov arrived in the 1830, an actual trading post was [...]

Virtual Trail Journey (northern) – Galena at Mile 605 by Sanka W. Dog

The first town site of Galena was established in 1918 near a native fish camp called Henry’s Point, one of many fish camps located on the Yukon River. Athabascans in the area were nomadic living in spring, winter, fall and summer camps dictated by where and how the wild game was migrating. The town became [...]

Virtual Trail Journey (northern) – Ruby at Mile 553 by Sanka W. Dog

The village of Ruby is the first checkpoint of the northern route that’s situated on the mighty Yukon River. The Millennium Hotel, race headquarters in Anchorage, honors the first musher arriving with a delicious seven-course meal prepared by the Millennium’s Executive Chef. In the corner of the rustic checkpoint upon a little stage, [...]

Virtual Trail Journey (northern) – Cripple at Mile 441 by Sanka W. Dog

With the year being 2010, the race will take the even year northern route. When the drivers and teams reach Ophir, they’ll take a right and head north to Cripple. The distance from Ophir to Cripple is 59 miles. The total distance from Ophir to Kaltag, where the two trails rejoin on the [...]

Jeff King, Rick Swenson & Lance Mackey – Idols by Sanka W. Dog

I left it up to Smoke, the youngest dog at Just Guts to determine the difference between an idol and hero. It was a tough job because often the two words are used interchangeably. But Smoke, who is  very bright, came up with a good answer. An idol is a shining example, [...]

Pam Flowers – Heroine by Sanka W. Dog

Pam Flowers is a small quiet woman who considers herself a loner. Her idea of fun is to travel with her dogs in lonely desolate places. This may or may not sound like fun to you but Pam’s adventures captivate the interests of adults and children alike.
After graduating from college, Pam held a [...]

DeeDee Jonrowe – Heroine by Sanka W. Dog

The heroes and heroines that have been featured in these stories thus far are made of some pretty tough stuff. The same is true for DeeDee Jonrowe. Have you created a definition for heroine? How is a heroine different from a hero? If you’ve done your research, you’ll realize they [...]

Ivedi – our Local Heroine by Sanka W. Dog

Ivedi isn’t as well known as Balto, Togo or Granite but none-the-less, she’s our hero. Locally known heroes like Ivedi are very real and very important. You and your classmates undoubtedly have included famous people on your list of heroes and heroines but don’t forget about folks in your family, community or school [...]

Granite & Susan Butcher – Hero & Heroine by Sanka W. Dog

When speaking of Granite one has to mention Susan, when speaking of Susan one has to include Granite. Without Susan, Granite might have become a house pet. Without Granite, Susan might have been just an ordinary musher. Together they accomplished remarkable feats. That’s why they have both been named to the [...]

Our Hero – BALDY OF NOME by Sanka W. Dog

Thus far you have met our heroes Martin Buser, Bruce Linton, Balto and Togo. You have read about their great skills, determination and perseverance. Our hero, Baldy of Nome, has accumulated equally impressive accomplishments. Have you noticed that some of our heroes are from current times, some are from the recent past [...]

TOGO – Our Hero! by Sanka W. Dog

Since you’ve read Heroes, Heroines & Idols featuring our heroes Martin Buser, Bruce Linton and Balto, have you created definitions and a list of your own heroes? Have you taken time to define hero? I got together with some of the elder dogs in the kennel, Baffin, Holstein and Tikchik, to come up [...]

Heroes, Heroines & Idols by Sanka W. Dog

My good friends, the Siberian Huskies from Storm Watch Kennel up there in Wasilla, Alaska just across the road from where I used to live at the Redington’s, have their own television watching room in the musher’s house! With a huge wall television, leather couches and chairs, a really durable floor, a large bucket [...]

Something Pink for Dogs

Libby here!
Doesn’t this look yummy?  Oh but this is not something to eat!
This is a special ointment that is made special for the sled dogs!
Each year, a group of Iditarod volunteers meet at Iditarod Headquarters  for a very important job!  The volunteers mix up a special recipe that can be used on the sled [...]

Community Challenge- Shared Gifts

chinook booth

The Cruelest Miles – Book Report by Sanka W. Dog

It’s all a part of the history of the great state of Alaska and the Iditarod itself – the Serum Run of 1925, Balto, Togo, Dr. Welch, Nurse Morgan, Governor Bone and 20 brave mushers who carried the anti-toxin from Nenana to Nome. The Cruelest Miles, written by cousins, Gay Salisbury and Laney Salisbury, [...]