This program is a fun introduction to the history and cultural importance of mushing in Alaska and a great way for you to strengthen your students understanding of their own local history, environment, and culture.
Your students will get to visit our sled dog kennel, go for a real-time dog run where they will direct the dogs around our trail system without fear of frostbite or frozen toes, and visit with our mushers as they introduce their favorite dogs and share their love for the mushing lifestyle.
The program consists of a single videoconference session that is supported by optional pre- and post-activities designed to engage the students and prepare them to get the most out of their time with us. Registering for a program also gains you (and your classroom) month long access to all our other distance learning tools where we have compiled even more activities, resources, and chances to stay in contact with us and other classes who have participated in our programs!
Register
Grade level: PreK-12
Required Classroom Time:
| Option A |
Option B |
Option C |
| A 1/2 hour to 1 hour (depending on grade level) to visit with us during the videoconference | 3 days- participate in the videoconference but also do the pre- and post-activities | 1 week to 1 month- participate in the videoconference and do the pre- and post-activities and explore/create from all of our Distance Learning Tools. |
Cost:
| Grades: preK-3 (30min.-45min.) | Grades: 4-12 (50min. to 1 hr) |
| $75.00 | $100.00 |
Content Area: Social Science; Geography and History
Primary National Standards:
NSS-G.K-12.5 ENVIRONMENT AND SOCIETY- Understand how physical systems affect human systems.
Adaptable to:
| K-12 | K-4 | 5-12 |
| NSS-G.K-12.4 HUMAN SYSTEMS Understand the patterns and networks of economic interdependence on Earth's surface. |
NSS-USH.K-4.3 THE HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES: DEMOCRATIC PRINCIPLES AND VALUES AND THE PEOPLE FROM MANY CULTURES WHO CONTRIBUTED TO ITS CULTURAL, ECONOMIC, AND POLITICAL HERITAGE Understands the causes and nature of movements of large groups of people into and within the United States, now and long ago |
NSS-USH.5-12.1 ERA 1: THREE WORLDS MEET Understands how early European exploration and colonization resulted in cultural and ecological interactions among previously unconnected peoples |
| NSS-G.K-12.2 PLACES AND REGIONS Understand the physical and human characteristics of places. |
NSS-USH.K-4.4 THE HISTORY OF PEOPLES OF MANY CULTURES AROUND THE WORLD Understands major discoveries in science and technology, some of their social and economic effects, and the major scientists and inventors responsible for them |
NSS-USH.9-12.10 ERA 10: CONTEMPORARY UNITED STATES (1968 TO THE PRESENT) Understands economic, social, and cultural developments in contemporary United States |
| NSS-WH.5-12.9 ERA 9: THE 20TH CENTURY SINCE 1945: PROMISES AND PARADOXES Major global trends since World War II. |
Overview of Videoconference:
| Time | Activity |
|
5-10 min |
Intro: Who we are. Who they are. Where we are. Where they are. |
|
20 min |
History of Mushing in Ak Gold Rush Dogs: gold rush overview. Mail and the Airplane: The serum run. Sprint Races: Village teams Iditarod: |
|
20-25min |
Dog run |
|
10-15min |
Q and A, gear game- could be done on the run, at a “remote” camp or back at picket. |
Overview of Pre- and Post Activities:
| Pre-Activity 1 | Pre-Activity 2 |
|
| “Tell me what’s a happen!” Overview: Describe what was happening regionally at specific times in history. Purpose: Prepares students to understand the bigger picture of mushing in Alaska. (40-60min) | How to interview: Guide to get the most out talking to an “expert.” (10-20min) | |
| Post-Activity 1 |
Post-Activity 2 |
Post-Activity 3 |
| Moodle Survey/quiz; focus on applying information learned about student region and AK to thinking about the role of the climate, environment, and technology in our history and culture. (20min) |
Moodle forum post; prompt based on applying information learned about student region and AK to thinking about the role of the climate, environment, and technology in our history and culture. (10-15min) |
Create a comic of what life would be like for a time traveling dog musher visiting you town through history. (20-30min) |