Iditarod Webquest
Mrs.Hoyt's Class - 2006
Remember to use complete sentences to answer the questions.
Add unusual details! Elaborate! Make them interesting to read!
Geography
1. Locate and label the Iditarod Trail and identify the start and end points. (more...)
2. How long is the Iditarod Trail and what is the significance of the number of miles? (more...)
3. Locate and label a map of Alaska. What is the capital? What is the largest city?
4. What are three facts about the state of Alaska?
5.What are three significant features of the state of Alaska?
6. Describe the landscape of Alaska. What does it look like? What's amazing about it?
7. Describe the size of Alaska.
What is an interesting fact you learned about the geography of Alaska while doing this research project?
Alaskan Environment
4. What is the average high (max) and low (min) summer temperature in Anchorage? (June, July, Aug)
5. What is the total snowfall high in Anchorage for this month? For the year (annual)? What does that mean for the race?
6. Name three
natural (main) resources of Alaska.
7. Name and describe five types of wildlife that can be found in Alaska.
8. Who were the original inhabitants of Alaska? Describe them.
9. What native cultures live in Alaska today? Describe them.
What is an interesting fact you learned about Alaska while doing this research project?
History
1. Explain the history of the Iditarod race. (more...) (more...)
2. Describe the event that happened in 1925.
3. Explain the 'Red Lantern' award. What does the word 'Iditarod' mean?
4. Why is Joe Reddington, Sr. considered the 'Father of the Iditarod'?
5. Why does the race alternate between a northern route and a southern route every year?
6. Who are some of the more notable past champions of the Iditarod? Were there any multiple winners?
What is an interesting fact you learned about the history of the Iditarod while doing this research project?
The Sled and Gear
1. What are the characteristics of a proper sled? Label a drawing of a sled.
2. What musher gear items are mandatory for running the Iditarod?
3. What else does a mushed carry for gear? Why?
4. What types of food do the mushers pack and how do they cook it?
5. What are food drops? What do the mushers leave there? Why?
What is an interesting fact you learned about sleds or gear while doing this research project?
The Dogs
1. How are the dogs connected to the sled? How do they know what to do?
2. What are some basic musher commands used to communicate with the dogs? What do they mean?
3. How many dogs are on a team?
4. What are the characteristics of a good sled dog?
5. How much food will one dog eat during a typical meal during the race?
6. How does a musher care for his dogs during the course of a race?
7. What happens if a dog turns up sick or becomes injured during the race?
8. Are the extreme conditions of this race cruel to animals? Why or why not?
What is an interesting fact you learned about sled dogs while doing this research project?
Race Rules
1. What is a bib and why is it important to the mushers?
2. What happens at the checkpoints? What happens at a mandatory stop?
3. What are the mandatory items that a musher must carry?
4. Explain the "Good Samaritan" rule.
5. What is the policy concerning moose attacks?
6. What is the Red Lantern award and what is its history?
7. How much will the winner receive in prize money (purse)?
What is an interesting fact you learned about the Iditarod race rules while doing this research project?
This Year's Race
1. What is the Jr. Iditarod? How long is it and how long does it take to finish?
2. Will the race follow the northern route or the southern route? Why?
4. Read some of the musher biographies.
Write about three mushers who you think might win this year. What's unique about these mushers?
5. Write about something that is special about this year's Iditarod race.
What is an interesting fact you learned about this year's race while doing this research project?
Want to search on your own? Try these search tools.
Yahooligans!
Ask Jeeves for Kids
Google
Bibliography: How to reference websites
1. Title of web site.
2. URL (http://...) in brackets [ ].
see example:
Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race. [http://www.iditarod.com]