5 - Map Symbols

Learn the meaning of map symbols

"Today we will learn about orienteering maps and symbols."

Time and Space

30-60 minutes

Gym, schoolyard or local park

Materials and Set-Up

Checkpoints, large scale maps, map key (legend), master map, Symbol-O clue sheets

Place checkpoints by corresponding features

Vocabulary

Symbol, feature

Activities

Boundary Run

Run the boundary; discuss inside/outside

Explore and Find

In pairs, look for animal pictures

Map Symbol Orienteering

Learn and use map symbols

Lesson

Goals

• Understand map symbols and the features they represent.

• Self-check using the animal pictures as codes.

• Recognize the physical skills you use to do this activity. (S2.E2.3)

• Plan how you’ll do the activity before actually doing it. (S2.E5.3a)

• Accept feedback from others. (S4E3.4)

• Give feedback to peers. (S4.E4.5)

Delivery

1. Run the boundary.

2. Explore within the boundary to find checkpoints or Animal-O

3. Learn about the orienteering map from the teacher. Compare it to the picture map. Tell the teacher how to orient it. Describe, and run to and from, features the teacher points out on the map. Show map locations of the checkpoints you found while exploring.

4. Learn the map symbols.

5. Pair up. Each pair gets a symbol-O clue sheet and the corresponding animal clue sheet.

6. Visit checkpoints matching the symbols. Check with the animal clue sheet.

7. Discuss with your partner what you each did well and what you could have done better.

8. Repeat with the other courses.

Reflection

• How are the two maps different?

• Which symbols were easier/harder to remember? Why?

• How did you work together?

Extensions

• Have students do the course from memory.

• Have the students do the courses by themselves.