1	1. The Question How would Gary Paulsen answer the following questions: How does my environment affect me? What is my responsibility to the environment? You will be given a list of articles from the Internet to learn more about the author. Your teacher may assign you a specific article to ensure all articles have been read.
2	2. Information Sources Gary Paulsen Information – all the sites listed below will help you learn more about Gary Paulsen in order to decide how he would probably feel about the environment. Iditarod Journal - from Paulsen’s Iditarod race About Gary – biography at his official website Gary Paulsen Bio – learn about the author at Kidsread.com Author Profile of Gary Paulsen - biography from teenreads.com Meet Gary Paulsen - Scholastic interview about Paulsen’s life and the Iditarod
3	3. The Student Activity Your first step is to gather information about Gary Paulsen. Next, you will need to organize what you have learned. Then you will be ready to answer the questions. Gathering and Organizing Information: This graphic organizer will help you think about how Gary Paulsen sees the world. Remember that since these are notes, complete sentences are not necessary. Click on the clipboard to download an electronic copy of the organizer, or see your teacher for a paper copy. If you are using the electronic version, follow these steps: Click on File and follow down to Save As Locate your folder on the student server Save your response as “Paulsen Notes (your name)” Print out copies of your notes to turn in to your teacher.
4	4. The Assessment Activity Composing Paulsen’s Response Now you are ready to write. Click on the writing hand for an electronic version of the reflection question, or see your teacher for a paper copy. If you are using the electronic version, follow these steps: Click on File and follow down to Save As Locate your folder on the student server Save your response as “Paulsen’s Response (your name)” Print out copies of your completed response to turn in to your teacher. As you write, be sure to use details from your notes and the websites you visited. Remember, you are using your knowledge to determine how GARY PAULSEN would answer the questions. Once you have finished writing, click on the checklist to see if you will need to revise your work.
5	5. Enrichment Activities The following are excellent sites to learn more about the Iditarod: The Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race - the official Iditarod site where you can learn more about the race Iditarod Race Across Alaska - Scholastic Iditarod site for kids Jr. Iditarod - (kids 14-17 race a shorter course) official site The Iditarod Trail - maps of the course Zuma’s Paw Prints - journal kept by one of the sled dogs
6	6. Teacher Support Materials VSC Indicator 2.A.4 Analyze important ideas and messages in informational texts VSC Objective: 2.A.4.g Synthesize ideas from text Lesson Focus/Objective: Students will be able to analyze informational text in order to determine connections between writer Gary Paulsen and the overarching concept an questions of the unit. Additional resources may be found at: National Public Radio - NPR interview that can be used to introduce Paulsen in his own words and voice Web English Teacher - many lesson plans and activities to support teaching of many of Paulsen’s books Iditarod History - background about the race The Iditarod Trail - shows the route for mushers Teachers Information - reader guides and mailing information from Paulsen’s official site For Kids and Teachers - from the Iditarod site – there are many links to explore from this page to learn about the Iditarod