Dogsled Adventure

Research dog sledding and the Iditarod competition then build your own model dog sled team.

1.

Choose a dogsledding subtopic to research with a partner, such as types of dogs used, how dogs and people train, weather conditions typical for the Iditarod, or provisions taken on a race. Share information with the rest of the class in a visual report.
2.

Find pictures or samples of soapstone animals made by carvers in Canada and Alaska. Note their textures. Study pictures of dogs and sleds. Create a musher and sled dogs with Crayola® Model Magic. Dry 24 hours.
3.

Use Crayola Multicultural Markers and Regular Markers to add details that make your dogsled team unique.
4.

Make basket dogsleds with chenille sticks and Model Magic. Connect yarn ganglines with Crayola School Glue. Fill dogsleds with construction paper provisions.
5.

Arrange dog sleds on a large table covered in white to simulate snow. Display visual reports. Dress in warm coats, gloves, and boots to answer visitors' questions.

Benefits

Children select topics about dogsledding, locate resources, and organize and present the main ideas gleaned from their research.
Students observe details of soapstone animal carvings made by peoples living in the far Northwest of North America.
Students build dogsled teams and equipment using art materials to show their understanding of the sport.

After the class presentations, pairs write quiz show questions based on information shared. Hold a game show using student-written questions.
Kindle excitement about dog sledding by reading aloud a novel about a sled dog. Follow news stories about the Iditarod.
Children write a story or book about the musher, one of the dogs pulling their sled, or the whole team, depending on their writing skills.