I love teaching my students about the Iditarod Sled Dog Race every March. They always have so much fun learning about the sled dogs and how the race works. We are spotlighting a great read aloud that teachers can use to introduce their students to the Iditarod,called Akiak. Not only does this book teach about what it is like to be part of the race it also teaches students some of the rules. If you want to do a unit on the Iditarod, Akiak is a must have read aloud. - Jodi and the Starts With a Story Team
SUMMARY
Akiak tells the story of a dogsled team running in the Iditarod. Akiak is the oldest dog on Mack’s team. They have never won the race before and now that Akiak is 10 years old it is her last chance to win the race. She is the lead of her dog team because she knows the trails very well. When Mack’s team makes it to first place in the race, they must start running through deep snow. Akiak gets a lot of snow jammed in her paw and gets hurt. She can no longer run the race and her team must go on without her.
As a handler is trying to get Akiak into a helicopter, she breaks free and starts to run after her team. She runs for several days through the cold snow and storms. Several volunteers try to catch her while others cheer her on. Akiak finally catches her team when they are on the wrong trail. Thanks to her experience, Akiak is able to direct her team to the finish and help them complete the race.
USE THIS BOOK TO TEACH:
Here are some different ways you can use Akiak in your own classroom.
- Assess what information students have learned from the book by asking text specific questions and observing their answers.
- Practice visualization skills while you read. The setting of this book is perfect for using this skill.
- Have students engage in informational writing to share what they learned about the Iditarod.
- Encourage students to use their descriptive writing skills, this book is a great mentor text for that.
- Introduce students to various multiple meaning words, there are so many examples in the text.
- Explore how the author uses time order words throughout the book.
- Discuss the importance of teamwork and perseverance.
NO-PREP PRINTABLE ACTIVITIES:
If you are looking for “ready to go” activities for the first day of school, be sure to check out the book companion. With it you’ll receive all of the following resources to align with this specific book:
- comprehension questions
- 30 writing prompts with themed paper
- vocabulary activities
- word study print & go activities
- ideas for grammar lessons with focus sentence printables
- social emotional learning discussion topics
- graphic organizers to target specific comprehension skills and strategies
Now go ahead, save yourself some time and download the book companion!
GET THE PRINTABLE ACTIVITIES
ADDITIONAL BOOK SUGGESTIONS
You and your students will also love these similar books:
- Drum Dream Girl by Margarita Engle
- One Plastic Bag by Miranda Paul
- Owl Moon by Jane Yolen
- Snow Day! by Lester Laminack
TRY OUT A SAMPLE COMPANION
It's hard to explain how amazing the Starts with a Story book companions are because there is just so much goodness included in each one. It's best if you experience using one for yourself. Sign up below & we'll send you an entire book companion to try out for FREE!
