Lesson 6 - Advanced Orienteering Skills
Navigation & Communication Skills
•Year 5
•Outdoor Adventurous Activities
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How can effective communication and leadership help our team overcome complex outdoor challenges?
Learning Objectives
- Develop advanced map reading skills to locate specific alphabetical controls
- Demonstrate positive communication and leadership within team activities
- Apply problem-solving strategies to overcome physical and mental challenges
Key Outcomes
- Students will successfully navigate using maps to find designated controls
- Students will communicate positively and support teammates during challenges
- Students will show resilience and creativity when solving complex problems
Equipment & Resources Required
Pre-mark teacher answer sheet for quick checking
Alternative: Plastic wallets with paper maps if lamination not available
Ensure pens work on laminated surface before lesson
Alternative: Washable markers or pencils with erasers
Place controls 15-20 metres apart for appropriate challenge
Alternative: Numbered cones if letters unavailable
Check hoops are large enough for 3 students to hold comfortably
Alternative: Ropes or bands to connect team members
Place cones with adequate space for group sitting
Alternative: Different coloured bibs or markers
Ensure device is charged and has adequate storage
Alternative: Mobile phone with good camera
Prepare different rewards for different achievement levels
Alternative: Verbal praise and class recognition
Key Vocabulary
A specific location marked on orienteering maps that participants must find
The skill of finding your way using a map and landmarks
Guiding and motivating a team towards achieving a common goal
A sport combining running and navigation using map and compass
A system of coordinates used to identify specific locations on a map
Skill Progression Pathway
Understanding where pupils are coming from and where they're going
Prior Learning
- Basic map symbols and orienteering skills from Unit 5
- Working cooperatively in small groups
- Following simple compass directions
- Understanding of teamwork and communication
Current Skills
- Advanced map reading and navigation
- Team leadership and motivation strategies
- Problem-solving under pressure
- Effective communication during physical challenges
Next Steps
- Independent orienteering course design
- Leading orienteering activities for younger students
- Advanced compass and grid reference skills
- Outdoor leadership roles in residential trips
Milestone Indicators
Key Teaching Points
- Always connect map reading to real landmarks students can identify
- Emphasise systematic search patterns rather than random wandering
- Model positive team communication and encouragement throughout
- Use the hoop connection as both safety tool and teamwork builder
- Celebrate different navigation strategies rather than just speed
- Connect orienteering skills to broader problem-solving capabilities
- Focus on accurate marking and verification rather than rushing
Common Misconceptions
- Believing orienteering is just about running fast - emphasise navigation accuracy
- Thinking map reading is only about following paths - teach cross-country navigation
- Assuming one person should lead - encourage shared decision-making
- Believing controls should be easy to find - prepare for systematic searching
- Thinking mistakes mean failure - frame errors as learning opportunities
SEN Adaptations
ADHD
- Break navigation into shorter segments, provide regular movement breaks, use clear visual markers for boundaries
dyspraxia
- Simplify map marking requirements, allow extra time for coordination tasks, provide larger hoops for easier connection
autism spectrum
- Provide clear visual schedule of activities, offer quiet reflection space if needed, give advance warning of activity changes
visual impairment
- Use large print maps, pair with sighted partner, provide tactile markers at controls, use verbal descriptions of routes
hearing impairment
- Use visual signals for team communication, provide written instructions as backup, use hand signals for navigation cues
physical disability
- Adapt hoop connection for wheelchair users, modify routes for accessibility, allow additional time, provide alternative recording methods
Cross-Curricular Links
English
Technical vocabulary development, clear communication during teamwork, following and giving precise instructions
Maths
Grid references, coordinate systems, scale and distance measurement, time management and problem-solving strategies
Science
Forces and friction in movement, weather conditions affecting outdoor activities, physical fitness and body systems response to exercise
Geography
Map symbols and interpretation, compass directions, spatial awareness, landmark identification and navigation skills
PSHE
Leadership development, team cooperation, resilience during challenges, self-assessment and reflection skills, celebrating individual and group achievements
Teacher Guidance
Positioning
Move continuously between teams during navigation, position centrally during briefings and debriefs
Observation Focus
Watch for map reading accuracy, team communication quality, safety compliance, and leadership emergence
Intervention Points
Step in if teams separate, students go beyond boundaries, safety concerns arise, or navigation becomes completely confused
Demonstration Notes
Model clear map orientation, show precise marking technique, demonstrate positive team communication, illustrate systematic search patterns
Verbal Cues
- •'Stay connected to your hoop!'
- •'Which direction should we face the map?'
- •'How can you encourage your teammates?'
- •'Think about the most efficient route'
Safety Considerations
Space & Surface Requirements
Space Requirements
Whole school grounds access with clear boundaries established
Surface Check
Check outdoor areas for hazards, wet surfaces, or obstacles before activity
Equipment Safety
Safety Checks
- •Inspect hoops for cracks or sharp edges before distribution
- •Ensure laminated maps have smooth edges without cuts
- •Check whiteboard pens are non-toxic and caps secure
- •Verify control markers are securely placed and visible
Risk Management
Key Risks
- •Teams becoming separated during navigation
- •Students wandering beyond school boundaries
- •Slips and falls while moving between controls
- •Overexertion during extended physical activity
Risk Mitigation
- •Mandatory hoop connection keeps teams together
- •Clear boundary explanation and regular monitoring
- •Systematic movement between controls to avoid rushing
- •Regular hydration breaks and pace monitoring
Supervision & Emergency Procedures
Supervision Points
- •Position to observe multiple teams simultaneously
- •Move between groups during navigation phases
- •Monitor boundary areas particularly carefully
- •Be aware of students with medical conditions requiring attention
Emergency Procedures
Stop all activity immediately, account for all students, provide appropriate first aid, contact school office if required