Trip of a Lifetime
Second grade teacher has incredible opportunity
by Janelle Verke Managing Editor of Hermantown Star
For second grade teacher Mark Ostazeski, teaching is more than text books and chalkboards -- it is getting excited about learning. That's why he is looking forward to a once-in-a-lifetime trip to Alaska next spring.
Ostazeski recently got approval to travel our of state by the Hermantown School Board. He will be going to Alaska to watch the Iditarod and learn about the state that he covers in his classroom. Besides being a great opportunity for himself, Ostazeski said it is a powerful way for him to involve his students in something that has long been a topic of interest.
"I have been doing a unit on the Iditarod for years," Ostazeski said. "It is a unit the kids really love. There is just something magical about it."
As a part of a social studies unit, Ostazeski could have chosen any state in the United States to compare with Minnesota. But it was Alaska that stood out to him.
"It is an interesting place," he stated.
Students will learn about Alaska's natural resources, land forms, culture and other facts about Alaska. The idea of researching the Iditarod come from reading Balto the Dog Who Saved Nome, about a sled dog relay and the inspiration for the Iditarod race. The unit has progressed over the years, with the students researching mushers and following their progress durning the race in March.
"Everything ties together," he said. "We look at the idea of team work and the need for team work in school. There are a number of elements to this unit that that are important in second grade."
Working with another second grade teacher, Cindy Martinson, students learn how to do research on the Internet and use technology to their advantage.
A trip to remember
Ostazeski has a full schedule for the six days he will be away at the Iditarod. Beginning with the Musher's Banquet, he will have the opportunity to meet with Doug Swingley, an American dog musher and dog sled racer from Montana who is a four-time winner of the 1,049-mile Iditarod race. During the banquet, Ostazeski said he will be able to discuss the race with Swingley, including how he trains and his strategy. He will also attend two classes with authors Gary Paulsen and Shelly Gill.
"They will discuss mushing and being an author," Ostazeski stated. "Gary Paulsen scratched from last years' race and has also written many children's books used in Hermantown's curriculum. Shelley Gill wrote an Iditarod curriculum, which I have used as the basis of the unit I currently teach. Our elementary classroom has most of her books and are popular with students."
Ostazeski plans to visitithe Anchorage Museum of History and Art as well as the Iditarod Headquarters, where he will gain even more knowledge to share with students.
One of the events he is most looking forward to is a "Chase the Race" flight, which will allow him to observe the race rrom the air, the trail and the first checkpoints.
During his time away, Ostazeski said he plans to be in close contact with his students. A Web page will include photos of the trip and regular phone calls will keep the class informed on how the race is going, and what their teacher is learning first hand.
Funds for the trip
A total of $1,500 is need to fund the trip. Those funds will be taken out of the Staff Development Fund, which is money that comes from the State of Minnesota, and is set aside for the development of Hermantown staff.
According to Terri Wingness, co-chair of the Staff Development Committee, a state statue requires the district to set aside 2 present of the funds given to the district for staff development. A portion is then set aside for each building in the district, and the rest is district-wide. Wingness said 10- precent of the funds are used for the Best Practices Grant, which is for teachers who come up with innovative activities and projects.
"This is a way for teachers to do something unique," Wingness said. "In the past, few other teachers have come up with an idea and used these funds. Mark has put a lot of effort into this unit and we thought this was a great idea."
Ostazeski, keeping a budget in mind, will be taking personal days for the trip, which will have him out of the classroom for four days.
"I'm packing a lot into this experience," he said. "This unit has always been highly successful. The trip is adding even more excitement for the kids and the community."
Second grade teacher has incredible opportunity
by Janelle Verke Managing Editor of Hermantown Star
For second grade teacher Mark Ostazeski, teaching is more than text books and chalkboards -- it is getting excited about learning. That's why he is looking forward to a once-in-a-lifetime trip to Alaska next spring.
Ostazeski recently got approval to travel our of state by the Hermantown School Board. He will be going to Alaska to watch the Iditarod and learn about the state that he covers in his classroom. Besides being a great opportunity for himself, Ostazeski said it is a powerful way for him to involve his students in something that has long been a topic of interest.
"I have been doing a unit on the Iditarod for years," Ostazeski said. "It is a unit the kids really love. There is just something magical about it."
As a part of a social studies unit, Ostazeski could have chosen any state in the United States to compare with Minnesota. But it was Alaska that stood out to him.
"It is an interesting place," he stated.
Students will learn about Alaska's natural resources, land forms, culture and other facts about Alaska. The idea of researching the Iditarod come from reading Balto the Dog Who Saved Nome, about a sled dog relay and the inspiration for the Iditarod race. The unit has progressed over the years, with the students researching mushers and following their progress durning the race in March.
"Everything ties together," he said. "We look at the idea of team work and the need for team work in school. There are a number of elements to this unit that that are important in second grade."
Working with another second grade teacher, Cindy Martinson, students learn how to do research on the Internet and use technology to their advantage.
A trip to remember
Ostazeski has a full schedule for the six days he will be away at the Iditarod. Beginning with the Musher's Banquet, he will have the opportunity to meet with Doug Swingley, an American dog musher and dog sled racer from Montana who is a four-time winner of the 1,049-mile Iditarod race. During the banquet, Ostazeski said he will be able to discuss the race with Swingley, including how he trains and his strategy. He will also attend two classes with authors Gary Paulsen and Shelly Gill.
"They will discuss mushing and being an author," Ostazeski stated. "Gary Paulsen scratched from last years' race and has also written many children's books used in Hermantown's curriculum. Shelley Gill wrote an Iditarod curriculum, which I have used as the basis of the unit I currently teach. Our elementary classroom has most of her books and are popular with students."
Ostazeski plans to visitithe Anchorage Museum of History and Art as well as the Iditarod Headquarters, where he will gain even more knowledge to share with students.
One of the events he is most looking forward to is a "Chase the Race" flight, which will allow him to observe the race rrom the air, the trail and the first checkpoints.
During his time away, Ostazeski said he plans to be in close contact with his students. A Web page will include photos of the trip and regular phone calls will keep the class informed on how the race is going, and what their teacher is learning first hand.
Funds for the trip
A total of $1,500 is need to fund the trip. Those funds will be taken out of the Staff Development Fund, which is money that comes from the State of Minnesota, and is set aside for the development of Hermantown staff.
According to Terri Wingness, co-chair of the Staff Development Committee, a state statue requires the district to set aside 2 present of the funds given to the district for staff development. A portion is then set aside for each building in the district, and the rest is district-wide. Wingness said 10- precent of the funds are used for the Best Practices Grant, which is for teachers who come up with innovative activities and projects.
"This is a way for teachers to do something unique," Wingness said. "In the past, few other teachers have come up with an idea and used these funds. Mark has put a lot of effort into this unit and we thought this was a great idea."
Ostazeski, keeping a budget in mind, will be taking personal days for the trip, which will have him out of the classroom for four days.
"I'm packing a lot into this experience," he said. "This unit has always been highly successful. The trip is adding even more excitement for the kids and the community."
posted by Mr. Mark Ostazeski at
4:54 PM
0 Comments
