The 2014 Iditaread Challenge 2nd Grade Reading Event

February 28, 2014 Dear Parents, The Iditarod is a very tough and exciting Alaskan sled dog race run each year from Anchorage to Nome. This challenging race of over 1,100 miles can take from 9 to 14 days to complete, and is unlike any other event in the world. We are going to follow the 42nd Annual Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race this year in second grade and our challenge is all about reading. We call it the Iditaread

Challenge. Students will choose and track mushers and their sled dog teams through all

the race checkpoints from Anchorage to Nome, Alaska. All students will attempt to read to match their mushers arrival at each of the 25 race checkpoints. Each students goal will be to read a story, short book, or chapter in a chapter book for each race checkpoint reached by their musher. Stories, short books, or chapters read to students count towards this goal. Students will keep track of their reading on reading logs. The ceremonial start of the race is on Saturday, March 1, 2014, in Anchorage, Alaska. The official race restart is on Sunday, March 3rd. Our reading will also begin officially on Sunday, March 2nd, and will continue until the last musher finishes in Nome. Here are some general guidelines: 1. Everyone will be participating its part of our reading. 2. Help your student choose reading material that is challenging but enjoyable. 3. All students will keep a record of their reading on their reading log. 4. Find out more about Alaska, the Iditarod, and your mushers progress online at http://www.iditarod.com 5. All participants will receive paw print pencils, and finishers will receive dogtags designed just for this event. Students must turn in their completed Iditaread reading logs to qualify for a dog tag. Students who do not complete the challenge will not receive a dog tag.

Good luck with the Iditaread Challenge!! From: 2nd Grade Teachers