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Project Overview and Objectives
This project was updated in July 2006 to better reflect the new NYS math standards. Please review the materials carefully, as some of the project has changed.
This interdisciplinary project focuses on math problem solving strategies and techniques for elementary students. It was designed by fourth grade teachers but can be used by students in higher or lower grades, as appropriate for your curriculum.
The students use a real world event, the Iditarod race, to solve word problems and then write their own. The project was designed on the premise that students will learn problem solving strategies by formulating and articulating their own problems. These problems will be posted on the Math Mushers website for other students to view and solve. Using the Iditarod race as a focus creates a situation where students are involved in an event as it is occurring. They will be engaged and interested. The competitive nature of the race will provide the spirit to drive them and challenge them to create word problems that will challenge others.
1. In order for the students to successfully participate in this project, it is suggested that the ELA teacher introduce the background about the Iditarod. The following website and worksheet can be used to present this background information. This activity should be completed before the race begins.
2. During the race, the students will follow a dogsled team (choose a musher from the Iditarod website) and record the progress on a spreadsheet (provided). This can be completed in the students' homerooms.
3. At any time after the race has been introduced, the students' math teacher should model how to create math word problems using the Iditarod information (see samples). Then students will write their own word problems. After they are written, the students should exchange them and solve them. They can be emailed to Linda Brandon (lbrandon@lakelandschools.org) to be posted on the project website for all to solve and share.
Books on the Iditarod to use for read alouds, research, etc.
Black Star, Bright Dawn by Scott O'Dell, 134 pages. Reading level 4th or 5th up. About a young native girl who races the Iditarod in her father's stead.
Dogteam by Gary Paulsen, 30 pages. Picture book illustrated by his wife
Race Against Death by Seymour Reit, a Scholastic paperback, 92 pages. Making history come alive, this book is the story of the Serum Run of 1925 for an upper elementary reading level.
The Bravest Dog Ever - The True Story of Balto by Natalie Standiford, 48 pages. A Step 2 Book for grades 1 through 3 reading. Covers the facts, a self-reader.
If you have any questions or comments about this project or this site, please contact Linda Brandon, Lakeland Central School District (lbrandon@lakelandschools.org)
Last Updated: 1/30/07