Fifth Grade

Champion Learners

Denali National Park and Preserve: The Science of Sled Dogs

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By Serenity, Bri, and Nicholas

Today we did a virtual field trip Skype with Ranger Laura. She was in Alaska. We were learning about adaptations of sled dogs in Denali. A few things we learned about Denali National Park and Preserve is that it is very big! It is 6 million acres, which is the size of Connecticut! It is also very windy and cold. Speaking of cold, the lowest temperature recored there was minus 54 degrees! We mostly learned about the 5 adaptations of sled dogs. The five are bushy tail to keep warm, guard hair that acts like a thin raincoat, panting to cool down, tough toes so they do not get cuts on their paws, and counter current circulation.

The dogs that would run in the pack were the leader, swing dogs, team dogs, and the wheel dogs. The leader dog leads the pack. The swing dogs are team players that make wide turns. Team dogs are strong! Finally, wheel dogs are closest to the sled so they need to be the calmest.

This was really fun because we got to look  at the sled dogs. They were really cute! It was also good because we got to do activities along with learning. I am very interested in the sled dogs. I think you should research more about them.

By Bosten, Evan, and Christian

Today we learned about Denali and sled dogs during a Skype from Ranger Laura. Somethings we learned are that Denali is the tallest mountain in North America, and Denali National Park and Preserve is 6 million acres of Alaskan forest. Something else we learned is that Denali has one road, its coldest temperature was minus 54 degrees Fahrenheit, and when it snows the rangers have to use sled dogs. These dogs have two coats of fur, use panting to make themselves cooler, and have countercurrent circulation. Countercurrent circulation is a way for a dog to keep their blood warm. Each of these dogs need a different personality and characteristics for different places on the sled team. These dogs have adapted to Alaskan snow.

By Carly, Allie, and Cali

Today we went on a fun virtual field trip with Ranger Laura about adaptations of sled dogs in Denali, Alaska. We learned so much fun stuff and interesting facts about adaptations of sled dogs. We had fun activities that came along with the Skype. We also learned about Denali National Park and Preserve and the mountains.

Some other things we learned were sled dogs weigh 50 to 90 pounds. They also have two types of fur that act as warmth and a protector from water. Did you know sled dogs use their big bushy tail to keep them warm? How they do this is curl up and put their big bushy tail over their noses! Another adaptation that sled dogs have are their thick paws that help keep them from getting cuts and rocks embedded in them. These sled dogs run about 7 mph, but race dogs run much faster.

In Denali, there is the tallest mountain in North America! Did you know Denali National Park and Preserve is 6 million acres? If you didn’t know already, Denali is in Alaska. I hope you learned a lot about Denali and their sled dogs! Next time you visit Alaska, make sure to go check out the sled dogs.

Here are a few pictures from our Skype!

Have you been to Alaska? 

What did you learn about sled dogs? 

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