Iditarod 2001

The third grade technology students of Serra followed the Iditarod dog sled race from Anchorage, Alaska to Nome, Alaska, via the Internet. This year the students had a very special opportunity to learn first-hand what it might be like on the trail by re-enacting the Skwentna check point.  One of our Serra fathers was actually a volunteer at this check point.  He came and gave a wonderful pictorial presentation to the students and guided us as each student performed their assigned check point task as a sled dog, musher, vet, pilot, cook, or volunteer.

In the Technology Lab one activity the students do during the race, is write an historical fiction essay from the point of view of a sled dog on the trail.  You will find an example of a third grade student's work below.  You will also see a picture of Doug Swingley holding a poster with our school logo, which he signed.   When the first musher arrived in Nome the students were so thrilled to know that they had the autograph of the 2001 Iditarod champion!

Picture taken from Jeff King's web site
http://www.huskyhomestead.com/dog_team_photos.htm

               My name is Conan and I am racing in the Iditarod.  I am 5 years old.  I have brown and black fur, my nose is black, I have big fluffy ears that are brown.  My fur is nice and thick.  My booties are red and they are nice and warm. 

The Race begins March 3, 2001,  in Anchorage and will end in Nome.  The race covers 1,150 miles.  The fastest team will finish in 9 days.  The Iditarod is called the "last great race" and commemorates the 1925 serum run to Nome.  Iditarod means clear water.

    I am so excited about this race.  I will try to win the race and I hope we get some sort of prize for competing.  The thing I want most of all is to make friends with all of the other dogs. 

            My musher Doug Swingley really loves me.  He takes very good care of me by putting my booties on every day and he puts hay on the floor at night. The best part about Doug Swingley is that he protects us from danger.  I also like him because he melts snow for us to drink.