Introductory Activity – Talk to students about the sport of orienteering (running a course using a map). Introduce the compass. Use the overhead and go over basic parts and how to orient compass. Allow time to try various degrees and directions.
Body – For today, students will go through a simple course following a map but not a compass. Must find 18 controls. Work in pairs. Leave at 2 minute intervals. Hand out school grounds map. Each control will have a letter on it. Students must record letter and after finding all 18 they will reveal a message. Each group will be timed. Come back to instructor with completed message. Play fair.
Culminating Activity – Students just completed an example of message orienteering. Next day, do more compass work and introduce topographical maps.
Assessment Strategies
The completed message sheet with the two students names on it can be used for assessment purposes.
Equipment:
compasses controls set up maps of school ground with controls
