Lesson 8 - Map Navigation and Key Reading
Leadership & Navigation Skills
•Year 6
•Outdoor Adventurous Activities
•Start Planning Better PE Lessons
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How can map reading skills help us navigate safely and efficiently in unfamiliar environments?
Learning Objectives
- To be able to use a map to navigate around a course efficiently
- To use a key to identify objects and locations accurately
- To work effectively with a group to develop team navigation strategies
Key Outcomes
- Students will demonstrate confident map orientation and navigation skills
- Students will accurately interpret map symbols using keys
- Students will show effective teamwork and communication during orienteering challenges
Equipment & Resources Required
Distribute one per group, ensure sharp and ready to use
Alternative: Clipboards with pencils attached, waterproof pens
Teacher carries for emergency and timing signals
Alternative: Air horn, bell for emergency signals
Pre-marked with controls and key, weatherproof if outdoors
Alternative: Laminated maps, digital maps on tablets
Attached to clipboards, spaces for recording letters/symbols
Alternative: Digital recording sheets, answer booklets
Positioned around course before lesson, visible but not obvious
Alternative: Laminated signs, numbered cones, QR codes
Key Vocabulary
To position a map so it matches the real landscape around you
A list that explains what symbols on a map represent
A checkpoint on an orienteering course marked with a specific symbol or letter
Finding your way from one place to another using a map and compass
The path you take to get from one place to another
Skill Progression Pathway
Understanding where pupils are coming from and where they're going
Prior Learning
- Basic understanding of symbols and pictures
- Experience following simple directions
- Basic teamwork and communication skills
Current Skills
- Map orientation and navigation
- Symbol interpretation using keys
- Team strategy development
Next Steps
- Advanced compass work
- Route planning and creation
- Leading expeditions and outdoor adventures
Milestone Indicators
Key Teaching Points
- Map orientation is essential before any navigation attempt
- Keys are the secret to understanding any map symbols
- Teamwork makes navigation more accurate and enjoyable
- Regular position checking prevents getting lost
- Safety boundaries must be understood and respected
- Different teams can use different successful strategies
- Practice map reading skills transfer to real outdoor adventures
Common Misconceptions
- Maps only work when held 'right way up' - teach orientation to real landscape
- All symbols are obvious - emphasise importance of checking keys
- Navigation is about speed not accuracy - focus on careful map reading
- One person should lead all navigation - promote shared team responsibility
- Getting lost means failure - frame as learning opportunity
- Maps are only for special activities - connect to everyday navigation needs
SEN Adaptations
ADHD
- Shorter route segments, more frequent check-ins, fidget-friendly control cards, clear movement boundaries with visual markers
dyspraxia
- Simplified maps with fewer details, longer time allowances, extra practice with map orientation, chunked instruction delivery
autism spectrum
- Clear visual schedule of lesson progression, quiet zones available for sensory breaks, predictable routines, advance map familiarisation
visual impairment
- Large print maps with bold symbols, tactile landmark identification, buddy system with clear verbal descriptions, high contrast control markers
hearing impairment
- Visual hand signals for instructions, written control cards, vibrating whistle alternative, clear visual demonstrations of all tasks
physical disability
- Modified routes with wheelchair/mobility aid access, seated navigation roles, alternative control marking methods, adapted equipment holding
Cross-Curricular Links
English
Following written instructions, technical vocabulary development, team communication skills
Maths
Scale and proportion understanding, grid references, measuring distances, angles and directions
Science
Environmental awareness, weather conditions affecting outdoor activities, magnetic compass principles
Geography
Map skills, symbols and keys, spatial awareness, cardinal directions, local area knowledge
PSHE
Team cooperation, leadership skills, problem-solving resilience, personal responsibility for safety
Teacher Guidance
Positioning
Central location with maximum visibility of course area, move to assist struggling groups while maintaining overview
Observation Focus
Monitor map orientation accuracy, team collaboration quality, navigation problem-solving, safety awareness
Intervention Points
Step in if groups become lost or separated, assist with team conflicts, provide navigation hints if severely struggling
Demonstration Notes
Show map orientation clearly, model team discussion, demonstrate control marking, emphasise safety procedures visibly
Verbal Cues
- •'Check your map orientation first!'
- •'Work together - three heads are better than one!'
- •'Use your key to decode symbols!'
- •'Keep tracking where you are on the map!'
Safety Considerations
Space & Surface Requirements
Space Requirements
Large outdoor area minimum 50m x 50m, clear of major hazards, good visibility for supervision
Surface Check
Even ground suitable for running, no holes or dangerous obstacles, weather-appropriate conditions
Equipment Safety
Safety Checks
- •Control markers securely positioned and visible
- •Pencils sharp but safely managed
- •Maps laminated and edge-safe
- •Emergency whistle accessible to teacher
Risk Management
Key Risks
- •Students becoming separated or lost during navigation
- •Collisions while running between controls
- •Weather exposure during outdoor activity
- •Equipment loss or damage
Risk Mitigation
- •Clear boundaries established and communicated before activity
- •Emergency recall signal practiced and understood
- •Teacher positioned for maximum visibility of course area
- •Groups stay together during navigation challenges
- •Regular headcounts and group check-ins
Supervision & Emergency Procedures
Supervision Points
- •Position for clear sightlines across entire course area
- •Monitor group dynamics and ensure collaboration
- •Watch for students struggling with navigation or teamwork
- •Maintain awareness of weather conditions and time limits
Emergency Procedures
Three long whistle blasts for immediate return, first aid kit accessible, emergency contact procedures known