THE IDITAROD
Sunhusky's
Links and Teacher Resources
I've come to have a fascination with this race but this is the first time I've made a point of studying up on it and Alaska. As a result, I have a great deal of respect for not only the men and women who run the race, but the true athletes of the race, the dogs. I'll be bringing you info and adding links in the very near future but, for now, check out The Official Web Site of the Iditarod Race for information.
I've also set up a page with a short summary of the books I've been reading and checking out for info called Iditarod Book Den. There are some wonderful wolf tie-ins, too, which I'll be bringing you, but the best (and most humorous) is in Gary Paulsen's Winterdance, a work of fiction, which I defy you to get through without laughing outloud repeatedly! Since most teachers are famliar with Paulsen's equally hilarious, equally fictious Woodsong, I can probably best describe Winterdance as an adult version of that book.
In addition, Back of the Pack, by Don Bowers, is another sensitive, fascinating, and often humorous look at the race from someone who had actually "been there and done that." Bowers, a former members of the volunteer Iditarod Air Force, was killed in a flying accident during the summer of 2000, but had become a respected historian of the race and dog sled racing in general.
Tracks of Alaska has some wonderful shots of the Iditarodas well as the wolves in and around Alaska's Denali National Park and the other wildlife abundant in Alaska's vast wilderness areas. Check out the size of the moose! Even better, Phil and Jlona are great people!
For those of you teaching younger children, or simply looking for a good story, check out Lois Harter's Where's the Boss? Harter, a long time employee of the Iditarod Trail Committee does a great job of both spinning a story and dropping in little bits of info that will appeal to the child in all of us.
I've been trying to limit the links I'm putting up to ones that I know operate year-round. The first, and best site for info on the Iditarod is The Official Iditarod Race Headquarters Page. Here you'll find info on the mushers, maps and mileage, veternarian information, various press releases issued during the last race, Iditarod merchandize and books, both fiction and nonfiction and other informative, interesting sites. In addition, teachers, make sure you check out the teacher links here for great resources and lesson plans. When in doubt, use the link for General Information.
Anchorage Daily News On-Line offers up links and info here relating to not only the Iditarod, but dog mushing and related events in general. This site was one of my favorite sites during the race, as it could always be counted on to offer up an insightful, interesting angle on not only the race, but the men and dogs running itlook. Check 'em out for some interesting, informative info.
If you're into audio, Dogsled.com is where you need to go. In fact, you can find just about anything you're looking for there, from audio links to actual broadcast of race action, to links taking you to the "Kids Zone," with info aimed at the younger set. This link is useful to teachers and offers a chat room and chance for schools/students to send email letters to their favorite mushers. Dogsled.com also offers up short, insightful bios of the mushers, including a map showing where each is located as the race progresses. Obviously, I can't vouch for that aspect being there this year, but my students enjoyed tracking "their" driver in cyberspace. Finally, well, there are lots of other things to check out here, ranging from audio/video archives, to an event calendar. Enjoy!!!
I've always had it in the back of my head to sit down some day and create my own interdisciplinary unit on the Iditarod. Well, now I don't have to. There are lots of units and suggestions out there, but Mush! An Iditarod WebQuest for 7th Graders is one of the best, most comprehensive teaching units I've seen. Created by Marty O'Connell at New Hampton Middle School, it covers everything from the expected, the history of the race, dog care, and equipment, to suggestions on how you can create your own virtual Iditarod at your school. Even better, there are pictures! Check out those booties on the student "teams"!
Mrs. Morgan's Great Iditarod Adventure quickly became one of my favorite sites during Iditarod 2000. Even better, I got to meet Ann at Iditarod 2000 and we've become great friends. Morgan, from Massachusetts, followed the race from beginning to end and reported back on a regular basis to her students. There's a bit of everything here, from race history to dog care to photos of what went on at some of the checkpoints, so there should be something for just about everyone here.
Sled Dog Central is an interesting site, if only cos you're just never quite sure what you're going to find there. Perhaps even more comprehensive than Iditarod.com, this site puts the focus on sled dogs in general, but takes the time to show that there are many aspects of the sport that can be enjoyed almost anywhere, from dog-cart racing to sprint racing, rides and tours. There's a photo gallery, quiz page, bookstore, info on various kennels & clubs, as well as tips and interviews with drivers and trainers. One of the most useful features may well be its message board, which receives lots of traffic and covers everything from dog care to...well, everything.
Husky HomeStead, features a visit to three time Iditarod Champion Jeff King's kennels. Take a peek at his dog lots, state of the art dog barns, and meet his daughers as they share how they go about naming all those puppies. For more on Jeff King, visit Jeff King: The Man and His Dogs, then find more pix and testimonials from those who've taken the tour through Jeff's kennels, which are located near Mt. McKinley, known as Denali in Alaska.
The Iditarod: Facts, Not Fiction is an attempt to answer the charges most often made against the Iditarod and could be subtitled Answering the Critics. If you encounter such charges, teachers, here is the place to look for the answers, some from mushers, some from neutral sources, some from plain ol' common sense. If something new pops up, a question you can't answer, please feel free to send it to me and I'll check with someone who can. Each and every one of you reading this is encouraged to do since, if you believe one side without checking the facts, that's just as foolish as those who believe opposing views without checking the facts. In any case, you'll find a list of the books used as reference at Dog House Bookshelf.
In the meantime, Show Your Support for the race by dropping a line to the various sponsors involved. Sample letters are included, although everyone is encouraged to use them only as a basis for their own. When contacted, sponsors said a personal, unique letter always carries more weight than a form letter. This is a great culminating activity for students, by the way, as it encourages them to utilize the knowledge they've gained in a "real world" manner. You'll find a link her to the chief race critic, Margery Glickman and, if you are not familiar with her viewpoint, might want to take the time to write and ask her to share her opinions with you. Fair, is fair. Write me at the address link at the end for a complete, up-to-date list of race and musher sponsors.
Colors of the Siberian Husky There are lots of sites out there that focus on the Siberian Husky but I really enjoy the love and humor of this site. Lots of info and links, tho' my current fav is the "Is a Sibe For You?" link, with one bit of wisdom that reads, "Not a hound or a retriver--Will chase the ball once, to determine species, and will then ignore it. They also will not be waiting for you on the porch when you come home, if not secured they will probably be waiting on someone else's porch 10 miles away." If, for reasons I don't even want to go into, reminds me all too much of my own part escape artist, part husky, who displays these characteristics despite her additional "Lassie Come Home" genes. Ha. I've added a few links to other Siberian Husky Kennels in my navigation bar. Check them out.
The Origin of the Aurora Borealis is a wonderful story, similar to the origin tales told by Native Americans but utilizing the sled dog as the central character. Mushers have often told of watching the dancing Northern Lights as they work their way toward the burled arch and finish line and this captures something of that magic.
And, oh, before I go, I know it's corny, but seemed appropriate to keep posted on the current weather conditions at Wasilla, one of the checkpoints of the race...So, right now, in Wasilla, Alaska, it's...
Photo by Diane Nye, 2001 TOTT
