Lesson 1 - Navigation and Symbol Recognition
Map Skills & Team Solutions
•Year 4
•Outdoor Adventurous Activities
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How can we use symbols and maps to navigate successfully as a team?
Learning Objectives
- To work effectively as part of a team using communication and cooperation
- To use the process of elimination to identify unknown symbols and navigate using maps
- To demonstrate agility, balance, coordination and precision in physical challenges
Key Outcomes
- Students will successfully navigate using ordnance survey symbols and maps
- Students will demonstrate effective teamwork and communication skills
- Students will show improved physical competence in challenging activities
Equipment & Resources Required
Placed in central hoop at start of warm-up
Alternative: Bean bags, small foam balls
Team hoops spaced around perimeter, central hoop in middle
Alternative: Cones with rope circles, chalk circles
Distributed around playing area perimeter with numbers
Alternative: Laminated printouts of common OS symbols
One per group for recording answers
Alternative: Pencils, washable pens
Each with 5 x 30cm strings attached
Alternative: Bungee cords, stretchy resistance bands
Placed 20m away from start positions
Alternative: Plastic cups, lightweight containers
Mark safe zones and course boundaries
Alternative: Sports markers, rope boundaries
Key Vocabulary
Official mapping organisation that creates detailed maps with special symbols
Working out unknown answers by ruling out what they cannot be
Finding your way from one place to another using maps or symbols
Different parts of your body working together smoothly
Doing something exactly right with great accuracy
Skill Progression Pathway
Understanding where pupils are coming from and where they're going
Prior Learning
- Basic understanding of working in small groups
- Recognition of simple symbols and pictures
- Fundamental movement skills like running and carrying objects
Current Skills
- Navigation using symbols and maps
- Advanced teamwork and communication
- Precision handling of equipment under pressure
Next Steps
- Complex route planning and orienteering
- Leadership roles in challenging situations
- Independent problem-solving in OAA contexts
Milestone Indicators
Key Teaching Points
- Process of elimination is a systematic problem-solving strategy applicable across subjects
- Effective teamwork requires clear communication and shared responsibility
- Precision and control are more valuable than speed in complex physical challenges
- Navigation skills combine map reading, symbol recognition, and spatial awareness
- Resilience and determination help overcome setbacks in challenging activities
- Ordnance Survey symbols provide universal language for understanding landscapes
- Mathematical skills have practical applications in real-world navigation scenarios
Common Misconceptions
- Navigation is just about running fast - actually requires systematic thinking and teamwork
- Symbols are random pictures - they're actually standardised representations with specific meanings
- Physical strength matters most - coordination and communication are more important
- Mistakes mean failure - errors are opportunities to practice problem-solving skills
- Only the fastest teams succeed - accuracy and persistence often win over speed
SEN Adaptations
ADHD
- Shorter activity bursts, clear movement boundaries, regular positive feedback, fidget-friendly team roles, structured movement patterns
dyspraxia
- Larger equipment for easier handling, extra practice time with elastic bands, simplified navigation routes, clear step-by-step instructions
autism spectrum
- Clear routine structure, visual schedule of activities, quiet zones available, predictable team formations, advance warning of changes
visual impairment
- Large print bingo cards, high contrast symbols, buddy system for navigation, verbal descriptions of courses and equipment
hearing impairment
- Visual demonstrations of all techniques, hand signals for team communication, written instructions available, vibrant visual cues
physical disability
- Modified elastic band equipment with easier grip, shorter collection distances, seated calculation stations, alternative stacking challenges
Cross-Curricular Links
Maths
Mental calculation under pressure, process of elimination problem-solving, number operations, practical application of mathematical skills
Science
Forces and tension in elastic materials, balance and coordination, teamwork in scientific investigation
Geography
Map reading and navigation skills, understanding symbols and representations, spatial awareness and direction-finding
PSHE
Teamwork and cooperation, resilience when facing challenges, communication skills, celebrating diverse contributions
Teacher Guidance
Positioning
Central location during navigation for oversight, move between teams during equipment work, maintain visibility of all students throughout
Observation Focus
Team communication effectiveness, safe equipment handling, mathematical accuracy, inclusive participation by all students
Intervention Points
Step in if elastic bands show stress, support teams struggling with calculations, ensure equal participation, address unsafe movement
Demonstration Notes
Model coordinated teamwork with elastic bands, show systematic symbol identification, demonstrate map reading techniques clearly
Verbal Cues
- •'Work as one expedition team!'
- •'Precision over speed!'
- •'Check your calculations together!'
- •'Great navigators communicate clearly!'
Safety Considerations
Space & Surface Requirements
Space Requirements
Large hall or playground minimum 30m x 20m, clear of obstacles, adequate height for elastic band activities
Surface Check
Dry, even surface free from hazards, good grip for running activities, no loose equipment
Equipment Safety
Safety Checks
- •Check elastic bands for wear, cracks, or weak points before use
- •Ensure all hoops are complete circles without sharp edges
- •Verify calculation cards are securely attached and visible
- •Check beakers for cracks that could cause injury when handled
Risk Management
Key Risks
- •Elastic band snapping during tension activities
- •Collisions between teams during navigation challenges
- •Trips and falls during running activities
- •Overcrowding at popular symbol locations
Risk Mitigation
- •Clear team lanes established with adequate spacing
- •Demonstration of safe elastic band handling before activity
- •Emphasis on controlled movement rather than speed
- •Teacher positioning for maximum supervision coverage
Supervision & Emergency Procedures
Supervision Points
- •Position centrally during navigation activities for oversight of all teams
- •Move between teams during equipment challenges to monitor technique
- •Maintain clear sight lines to all activity areas
- •Monitor high-energy activities closely for safe participation
Emergency Procedures
Stop signal (whistle) for immediate halt, first aid kit accessible, clear evacuation route identified, mobile phone for emergency contact