Lesson 3 - Navigation and Teamwork Skills
Map Skills & Team Solutions
•Year 4
•Outdoor Adventurous Activities
•Start Planning Better PE Lessons
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- Complete activity instructions & timing
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- Assessment guidance & success criteria
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How can we work together effectively to navigate and solve challenges as a team?
Learning Objectives
- To develop navigation skills using compass points and direction following
- To enhance teamwork and communication through collaborative problem-solving
- To build self-motivation and physical confidence in competitive situations
Key Outcomes
- Students will successfully navigate using compass directions
- Students will demonstrate effective group negotiation and planning skills
- Students will show increased physical confidence in challenging activities
Equipment & Resources Required
Arrange in grid formation across the playing area
Alternative: Bean bags, coloured markers, chalk circles
One per group, showing grid layout of cones
Alternative: Paper maps in plastic wallets, clipboards with paper
One per group for marking routes on laminated cards
Alternative: Pencils, washable markers
Medium-sized hoops for warm-up activity
Alternative: Rope circles, masking tape circles
Stable benches for balancing activities
Alternative: Low balance beams, marked lines on floor
For timing team challenges
Alternative: Phone timer, wall clock
Key Vocabulary
The skill of finding your way from one place to another using directions
The eight main directions: North, South, East, West, Northeast, Northwest, Southeast, Southwest
A plan showing the path to take from start to finish
Discussing and agreeing on decisions as a group
Encouraging yourself to keep trying even when activities are challenging
Skill Progression Pathway
Understanding where pupils are coming from and where they're going
Prior Learning
- Basic understanding of left and right directions
- Experience working in small groups
- Simple problem-solving activities
Current Skills
- Using compass points for navigation
- Group negotiation and planning
- Physical confidence in challenging situations
Next Steps
- Advanced orienteering with maps and compasses
- Leading outdoor expeditions
- Complex team-building challenges
Milestone Indicators
Key Teaching Points
- Establish clear compass point references using hall features and landmarks
- Emphasise thinking before moving during navigation activities
- Model and encourage positive communication during group challenges
- Focus on problem-solving process rather than just successful completion
- Connect navigation skills to real-world applications and future learning
- Balance challenge with achievability to maintain engagement and confidence
Common Misconceptions
- Confusing left/right with East/West - use consistent reference points and physical landmarks
- Thinking faster movement equals better navigation - emphasise accuracy over speed
- Believing only perfect completion counts as success - celebrate problem-solving attempts and learning
- Assuming navigation is only about following directions - include route planning and map creation skills
SEN Adaptations
ADHD
- Shorter activity segments, clear boundaries, regular movement breaks between challenges
dyspraxia
- Simplified compass directions initially, extra practice time, visual step-by-step guides
autism spectrum
- Clear visual sequence cards, predictable routine structure, quiet spaces available if needed
visual impairment
- Use tactile markers on cones, provide verbal descriptions of compass directions, buddy system for navigation
hearing impairment
- Visual compass direction cards, clear written instructions, use of gestures and visual cues
physical disability
- Adapted routes using shorter distances, seated navigation activities, modified balance challenges
Cross-Curricular Links
English
Following complex instructions, negotiation language, descriptive vocabulary
Maths
Grid references, coordinate systems, measuring distances and angles
Science
Forces and motion during balance activities, magnetic properties of compasses
Geography
Compass points, map reading, route planning and navigation skills
PSHE
Teamwork, communication, resilience, problem-solving strategies
Teacher Guidance
Positioning
Position at corner of activity area for visibility of all groups during navigation, move closer to benches for balance activities
Observation Focus
Watch for accurate compass direction following, safe movement around equipment, positive group dynamics
Intervention Points
Step in if students show confusion with compass points, unsafe movement on benches, or negative group interactions
Demonstration Notes
Demonstrate compass points with exaggerated arm movements, show safe bench movement techniques, model positive group communication
Verbal Cues
- •'Check your compass direction before moving'
- •'Think before you move - safety first'
- •'Use gestures to communicate with your team'
Safety Considerations
Space & Surface Requirements
Space Requirements
Large hall or outdoor area minimum 20m x 30m for cone grid and activities
Surface Check
Dry, even surface free from hazards, stable benches securely positioned
Equipment Safety
Safety Checks
- •Check cones are stable and not cracked
- •Ensure benches are secure and non-slip
- •Verify whiteboard pens have caps to prevent ingestion
Risk Management
Key Risks
- •Falls from benches during balance activities
- •Collisions while moving around cone grid
- •Slips on marking pen ink or wet surfaces
Risk Mitigation
- •Clear boundaries established around cone grid
- •Adequate supervision during bench activities
- •Progressive skill building from simple to complex challenges
- •Immediate reset protocol for unsafe movements
Supervision & Emergency Procedures
Supervision Points
- •Position for maximum visibility during navigation activities
- •Stay close to balance activities on benches
- •Monitor group interactions for positive communication
Emergency Procedures
Stop activity immediately, assess injury, appropriate first aid response, contact school procedures