Orienteering: Map Skills
Grades 3-6
4 week unit
Purpose: The purpose of this activity is to involve the students in map skills in an every day situation, making the use of maps more real to them.
Objectives: students will be able to:
- Use a map to locate specific landmarks in a given area.
- Individually, and as a group, write a list of how maps and landmarks can help us.
- Write an explanation of how to get from point A to point B to someone unfamiliar to the area.
Resources: A classroom web page will be provided for you as a starting point to this unit of orienteering. You will work within groups of 4 on the web page, and begin your adventure. Courses may be either familiar or unfamiliar to students depending on the level of difficulty needed to meet student needs. A few possible suggestions may be: the playground, a city park, a wooded area near school, or a specific wooded area the class may take a bus as a fieldtrip,
Week One:
Using the classroom web page and clicking on 'Orienteering'. The students will be directed on how to use the web site during this learning adventure.
A Pre-test will be given on day one of the unit. This is provided within the web-site entitled, 'Projects'.
The 'History' of the compass will be discussed orally after the students have time to read the narrative.
A hardcopy of the 'Glossary of Mapping Terms' will be handed out for study and comprehension working towards the post test.
Working within groups of 4 you will investigate sites on the internet titled 'Projects'1-6 within the web site to help you learn how to read and use a compass. You and your teammates will use your knowledge to find your way to safety.
Week Two:
Objectives: students will be able to:
- Use a map to locate six specific landmarks in a given area.
- Individually, and as a group, write a list of how maps and landmarks can help us.
- Write an explanation of how to get from point A to point B to someone unfamiliar to the area.
Resources / Materials:
A selected course that has been mapped and specific landmarks color coded with crayons or small self-stick circles. Courses may be familiar or unfamiliar to students depending on the level of difficulty needed to meet student needs.
Activities and Procedures:
- Maps are distributed in classroom and a discussion follows concerning north, south, east and west and pictures of landmarks.
- Explain procedures for completing the orienteering activity.
Look for six small circles near specific landmarks on your map. When you locate one of the indicated landmarks on the course, you will find a crayon on a string at that spot. Without removing the crayon from the string, fill in the appropriate circle on your map. Complete all six circles in this manner. If you finish the map correctly, each circle will be a different color that will correspond to the map your teacher has already completed.
- You will work with your group to discuss problems and the completion of this week's course. You are responsible for your groups safety, and upon their return to the starting position.
- If you hear three blows on the whistle, return to the starting point. Students are reminded of safety precautions, and to return to the starting point when they have finished the course. Groups are sent out in different directions, and at different intervals so as not to follow one another or clump together.
Week Three:
Objectives: students will be able to:
- Use a compass
- Use geography, environmental studies, mathematics, and cooperation skills.
Resources / Materials:
* 1 base-plate compass for each group
* 3”x 5” index cards, pencils for each group
* general map of the area to be covered
* cone markers
Using the compass:
- Arrange the students within groups of 4; give each group a compass, an index card, and a pencil.
- Begin by having the students find north.
- Once it is found, place a cone at a point approximately 25 yards from the students.
- Number an additional set of eight cones and place them in different locations approximately 25 yards from the center of the playing area.
- Explain to the class that north will always remain a constant, and the other compass readings can be taken based on their relationship to north.
- Ask the students to discuss the readings that were taken and compare answers.
Week Four:
Objectives: students will be able to:
1.Use a compass
2.Use a topographical map of 'Hartley Field' along with the skills successfully learned in past weeks.
Resources/Materials:
- 1 base-plate compass for each group
- 3”x 5” index cards, pencils
- a map topographical of 'Hartley Field'
- 2 way radios / cellphones for each group to use for safety reasons
- 1 adult per group to supervise throughout the adventure that day
Using the compass:
- Arrange the students within groups of 4; give each group a compass, an index card, and a pencil.
- Each group will preplan their orienteering adventure within the classroom using a topographical map provided for them by their teacher of Hartley Field. A minimum of 8 sites must be circled on each group topography map.
- Upon arrival at Hartley Field, each group will be prepared for this adventure along with their adult supervisor. Safety of the group will be a constant throughout the orienteering adventure.
- Upon completion of the course that day. Each group will meet and discuss the strengths and weaknesses of the planned course. The adult supervisor will lead the group or a chosen peer leader. All findings will be written out for the teacher's evaluation back at school.
- Upon the following school day: the students will submit their group narrative, share with the other groups their findings and thoughts, and be given a rubrics rating for the orienteering adventure. This rubrics rating will become a portion of their Science grade for the quarter.