MPMS shirt traveling the Iditarod

Hi-
I shared Kathy's postings about the KuskoSWIM from buserdog.com with my classes. Got to talk about why mushers would hang together in those circumstances instead of racing to beat another team, and I could see their minds imagining the wet and the cold. Rohn, our rookie musher, is going to carry a tshirt donated by our high school's athletic booster club on his sled during the Iditarod. Kathy says they'll try to get a picture of him with it at the finish line. All our kids on our sixth grade team, 70-some of them, signed the shirt as did our principals and, of course, us three teachers. We're looking forward to the shirt returning to us, autographed by Rohn and his family.

My family has a new member as of a week ago--we adopted a 4 year old Siberian from our local shelter. Don't know what her history has been, but she's sweet, and we enjoy going on the walks she takes us on. Sometimes, my 15 year old ends up jogging to keep up. We named the dog Morgan, after Phil Morgan, the musher I was an Idita-Rider with in 2005.

Everyone who's heading to Alaska soon, have fun, and do lots of posting so those of us at home can enjoy it vicariously.
Martha

Kusko-"swim"

Hey, how about that race. Crazy, eh? I listened to a podcast on Alaksa NPR radio and it was wild, even for the most seasoned mushers!



Your students had a great experience getting to know Kent. And I bet they were a good inspiration for him. It's always nice to have some cheerleaders! And kids can always learn about making choices. That is so important in life.

Jane

Kuskokwim 300 and Rookie Update

Hi!

I hope this finds everyone having a good new year! I can't believe that

January is almost gone!

My rookie musher, Kent Kaltenbacher, scratched. The Kaltenbacher's

decided to scratch in the best interest of their family and dogs. They

have an opportunity to travel to Greece for 10 days this May to attend

a wedding of their "adopted" son. They decided to put the Iditarod plan

on hold this year. The Iditarod will always be there, the opportunity

to go to Greece doesn't come along everyday. As I explained this to my

class they began to see that mushers race in the Iditarod with varying

goals. For Kent it was probably finishing and for others it is to

win. Kent has been great to my class. The students and I have learned

a lot through his willingness to share his resources with us.

Martha, how about the Buser Guys? They did well in the Kuskokwim 300.

That is great!

Have a geat week!

Judi

Another website

Hi all!
On Martin Buser's site, they have the web address of the FAA webcameras in Alaska. A lot of the cameras are at remote locations, and several are at race checkpoints. They are pretty neat to view. Google either Martin Buser or Happy Trails Kennel to find his site. They also post photos and reports on that site; one photo in particular is great to demonstrate the long hours of darkness. It's of his son Rohn, preparing for a training run at 10 in the morning. My students got a really accurate idea of what a team looks like when it's running and the landscape of Alaska from the photos on this site.
Martha

Checking In

Hello everyone! Happy New Year! I hope you all had a restful and enjoyable holiday break. I did. But now I am gearing up (both figuratively and literally) for my journey in Alaska. I'm starting to put together my winter educator's conference presentation and my Alaska school presentations. Also, I'm checking that I have all my gear and layers. I think I'm almost there! Luckily, I'll have a few days once I arrive in AK to have the "pros" look over my stuff and give me advice on what to take, leave behind, or get! :)

I can't believe this part of the Teacher on the Trail job is almost here. It seems like just a few weeks ago when I was with you all as a very NEW teacher on the trail.

I hope after my trip that I will be able to find ways to remain very involved in the Iditarod Education Department and work for the Iditarod. I can't imagine it not being part of my life.

I'd like to hear how you all are and what you are up to.

Wag more, bark less,
Jane

Two More Websites

Hey ya'll I have found more websites that help incorporate the Iditarod into our classrooms.
Some of you may have more than enough material and like myself just starting you may be looking for places . Anyway here are two addresses.

http://www2.grand-forks.k12.nd.us/iditarod/iditarod.html


http://www.educationworld.com/a_lesson/lesson300b.shtml#lessons

Hope this is useful.

Tee