Lesson 2 - Cone Orienteering
Strategic Navigation and Collaborative Orienteering
•Year 5
•Outdoor Adventurous Activities
•Start Planning Better PE Lessons
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How can we use maps and teamwork to navigate challenges together?
Learning Objectives
- To introduce and understand the concept of orienteering using maps
- To develop map reading skills including orientation and route following
- To work effectively as a team member, demonstrating cooperation and communication
Key Outcomes
- Students will be able to orientate a map correctly and navigate a simple course
- Students will demonstrate effective teamwork skills through collaboration and encouragement
- Students will understand the key features of a map and how they help with navigation
Equipment & Resources Required
Place in various locations around activity area before lesson
Alternative: Coloured markers, bean bags, or laminated cards
Laminate maps for durability and repeated use
Alternative: Hand-drawn maps on whiteboards for reuse
Include space for scoring and course completion times
Alternative: Clipboards with paper, or mini whiteboards
Ensure markers work and have erasers available
Alternative: Pencils if using paper recording sheets
Key Vocabulary
A sport where participants navigate between checkpoints using a map and compass
To position a map so it matches the direction you are facing in the real world
The process of planning and following a route from one place to another
A specific location marked on the map that you must visit in sequence
The path taken between control points on an orienteering course
The section of a map that explains what all the symbols mean
Skill Progression Pathway
Understanding where pupils are coming from and where they're going
Prior Learning
- Basic understanding of following simple directions
- Experience working in pairs and small groups
- Awareness of colours and basic map symbols
Current Skills
- Map orientation and alignment with surroundings
- Following routes using visual map references
- Collaborative problem-solving in outdoor environments
Next Steps
- Using compass bearings for navigation
- Reading contour lines and understanding terrain
- Planning own orienteering routes
Milestone Indicators
Key Teaching Points
- Always orientate the map before starting navigation - this is the foundation skill
- Encourage constant communication between partners during all orienteering activities
- Emphasise that accuracy and teamwork are more important than speed in orienteering
- Use the environment around students to demonstrate map-to-reality connections
- Celebrate problem-solving and collaborative behaviours rather than just successful navigation
- Regularly reinforce safety boundaries and partner systems throughout the lesson
- Build confidence gradually from simple to more complex orienteering challenges
Common Misconceptions
- Maps always have North at the top - explain that we rotate maps to match our view
- Faster movement equals better orienteering - emphasise careful, planned navigation
- Only one correct route exists between points - show multiple valid path options
- Map reading is only about following lines - highlight the importance of environmental awareness
- Individual navigation is better than teamwork - demonstrate advantages of collaborative problem-solving
SEN Adaptations
ADHD
- Shorter courses initially, regular check-ins with teacher, movement breaks between activities
dyspraxia
- Simplified maps with fewer features, extra practice time, supportive partner pairing
autism spectrum
- Clear visual schedule of activities, quiet zones available, predictable routine structure
visual impairment
- Large print maps with high contrast colours, tactile markers on cones, buddy system with sighted partner
hearing impairment
- Visual demonstrations of all instructions, hand signals for directions, written course instructions
physical disability
- Adapted maps for wheelchair users, modified cone heights, alternative recording methods
Cross-Curricular Links
Science
Forces and motion during navigation, friction between different surfaces, weather impact on outdoor activities
Geography
Map skills, using keys and symbols, understanding aerial perspectives, directional vocabulary
PSHE
Teamwork skills, communication, resilience when facing challenges, leadership and responsibility
Teacher Guidance
Positioning
Mobile positioning to observe all pairs while maintaining overview of entire activity area
Observation Focus
Watch for correct map orientation, quality of partner collaboration, and navigation accuracy
Intervention Points
Step in when pairs are struggling with basic map reading or when safety boundaries are approached
Demonstration Notes
Use exaggerated movements when showing map orientation to ensure all students can see the technique clearly
Verbal Cues
- •'Orientate your map first!'
- •'Talk to your partner about the route!'
- •'Check where you are on the map!'
Safety Considerations
Space & Surface Requirements
Space Requirements
Large outdoor area minimum 30m x 40m with clear boundaries and varied terrain for realistic orienteering
Surface Check
Even ground free from holes, debris, or obstacles that could cause trips or falls
Equipment Safety
Safety Checks
- •Cones positioned away from boundary hazards
- •Maps laminated to prevent paper cuts and weather damage
- •Recording equipment suitable for outdoor conditions
Risk Management
Key Risks
- •Students becoming separated from partners
- •Collisions while focusing on maps rather than surroundings
- •Getting lost or going beyond designated boundaries
Risk Mitigation
- •Clear, visible boundaries established and regularly reinforced
- •Partner system maintained throughout all activities
- •Regular teacher circulation and visual contact with all pairs
- •Emergency whistle system for immediate attention
Supervision & Emergency Procedures
Supervision Points
- •Position for visibility of entire activity area
- •Regular movement between pairs during navigation
- •Monitor boundaries and ensure no students venture beyond
Emergency Procedures
Stop whistle brings all students to central gathering point, assess any injuries, appropriate first aid response