6 - Orienteering Courses

Point- to-Point Courses on an Orienteering Map

"Today we will be doing a regular orienteering course using a map"

Time and Space

30-60 minutes

Gym, schoolyard or local park

Materials and Set-Up

Orienteering flags or checkpoint markers, maps

Place checkpoints according to the master map

Vocabulary

Orient the map, route choice

Activities

Boundary Run

Run the boundary and do warm-up exercises

Partner Orienteering

In pairs, plan and execute your course

Solo Orienteering

Do a course on your own

Lesson

Goals

• Orient a map and understand how it represents the real course.

• Use the map to plan your route.

• Use simple strategies & tactics in following the course. (S2.E5.3a)

• Move confidently and safely in open spaces. (S2.E1.3, S4.E6.3)

• Work cooperatively with and accept feedback from others. (S4.E4.3a,S4.E3.4)

• Give feedback to peers. (S4.E4.5)

Delivery

1. Pair up and orient the map with your partner.

2. Agree on the route you’ll take before beginning the course.

3. Visit each checkpoint in order. Compare the code to make sure you’re at the correct checkpoint.

4. Do the course individually several times to increase your speed.

5. Do the course in reverse order and without a map.

6. Help fellow students who are having trouble by giving them hints and teaching them how to read the map.

Reflection

• How did you determine which way to go for each checkpoint?

• What shortcuts between checkpoints did you find?

• If you were at a wrong checkpoint, how did you figure out where you needed to go instead?

Extensions

• Divide the students into teams and have them run the course as a relay race, with each team member tagging the next member on completing the course.

• Challenge students to run to three checkpoints in order without a map.