1. Picture by Jeff Schultz
Introduction Tasks Process
Resources Evaluation Conclusion

2. Introduction
• You have just been hired by a company that makes dog
harnesses. The president of this company, Natalie
Bowers, is thinking about sponsoring the Iditarod in Alaska
to advertise their product but she doesn’t know much
about it. She would like you to research the Iditarod and
how the dogs are treated to see if the Iditarod would be a
good thing to sponsor or if it would be bad for her
business.
Next- Tasks!

3. Tasks
1) You have an important job ahead of you! You need to
educate the president, Mrs. Bowers, about the Iditarod and
Alaska. You will create a presentation of your choice (power
point, brochure, poster, etc) to explain all the information.
2) You will also write a letter to Mrs. Bowers to persuade her to
consider sponsoring the Iditarod or not to. You need to state
information from you research that supports your reasons.

4. Proces
s
•The first thing you need to do is read and learn about the Iditarod and the history behind
it. Click here to go back in history!
•Alaska is a very interesting place. You will learn what you need
•Now you know where it all began, learn about the trail the racers follow over the course.
Please check out the map, and you can click on the checkpoints to learn more about
each of them.
•The vet center discusses the wellness of the dogs. Please read over several of those
consequences from running such a long race.
•Read this article about one group who opposes the Iditarod and learn their reasons
why.
•Hear from the mushers themselves. Read this Q & A with their thoughts about their
dogs.
•Do any other research you need to so you are educated on the Iditarod and how the
dogs are treated. Be thinking about which side you are on.
•Review how to write a persuasive letter.

5. Evaluation
 Rubric for the persuasive letter
Letter 1 3 5
Ideas are not Ideas are mostly Ideas are focused
Ideas focused. Ideas are focused and on and on topic. Ideas
not persuasive. topic. Ideas are are persuasive.
somewhat
persuasive
Word choice is not Word choice is Word choice is very
Word Choice persuasive somewhat persuasive
persuasive
Many convention Several convention Little or few
Conventions errors. Hard to read. errors but doesn’t convention mistakes.
make it hard to read.
The writing doesn’t The writing mostly The writing follows
Letter Form follow correct letter follows correct letter the correct letter
format. format. format

6. Evaluation
•Rubric for the visual presentation
Presentation 1 3 5
Several informational Some informational All informational
Information elements are missing. elements are present elements are
but some are missing. presented.
The presentation is The presentation is The presentation is
Attractiveness messy and attractive though attractive with design
distracting. messy and neatness.
The presentation The presentation The presentation
Knowledge lacks knowledge of shows some shows great
the Iditarod. knowledge of the knowledge of the
Iditarod. Iditarod.
There are several There are a few There are only a
Grammar grammar mistakes mistakes but doesn’t couple mistakes.
which makes it hard hinder readability.
to read.

7. Conclusion
 You have given your presentation and
letter to Mrs. Bower. She is still
reviewing all the information and will
make a decision soon as to whether her
harness company will be a sponsor for
the Iditarod or not.
 She stated that your research was well
thought out and how helpful you were to
her. You may be getting a raise!! Be
proud of yourself!!

8. Resources
 Information retrieved from
www.iditarod.com and
 http://teacher.scholastic.com/activities/idi
tarod/dogs_life/index.asp?article=dogs_l
ife
 Pictures by Jeff Shultz from iditarod.com