My students need nine high interest books, both fact and fiction, about the Iditarod Race. These books will supplement a lesson that will run the entire length of the race.
Last year, I implemented a lesson around the Iditarod Race that challenged my students in several subjects. The main goal of the unit was to challenge them to read on their own. The only complaint from the students was that they wanted more books about the race itself.
I teach fifth grade at an elementary school in West Virginia.
We are an intermediate school consisting of third through fifth grades. Our school is a Title One school with a roughly 65% free and reduced lunch rate. Our kids are great kids but, unfortunately, many come from low income homes with little or no access to technology.
My Project
We need nine high interest books, both fact and fiction, about the Iditarod Race. These books will supplement a lesson that will run the entire length of the race. The centerpiece of the project is to challenge the students to read whatever they want. They must set a reading goal and pick a musher. Students then race to complete their goal before their chosen musher finishes the race. We also use the Internet to track mushers, graph results, and calculate times and speeds of mushers.The books and video I have chosen will only serve to deepen the involvement, knowledge, and interest in the race.
We also incorporate and discuss animal welfare, jobs, environmental issues, and survival tactics. We have a local man who has ran in the race and breeds sled dogs who presents an informational program. I am looking to expand the presenters to vets and others who are both for and against dog racing. I hope to show the students how to gather information and form opinions based on a wide variety of information. I also strive to expose them to things they might not normally be aware of.
By donating to this project, you will allow me to expand my library much quicker than I would be able to do on my own.
Last year the kids were so excited during this project. Their biggest request was more books about the Idiatarod race itself. This project incorporates Reading, Language Arts,Social Studies, Math,and Science. It lets kids learn skills that they can see are relevant and valid in the "real world."
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As a teacher-founded nonprofit, we're trusted by thousands of teachers and supporters across the country. This classroom request for funding was created by Mrs. Stillion and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
