Global Explorers: Our Changing World · 6th Class · Mapping the World · Spring Term

Map Skills Challenge: Navigation Task

Apply all learned map skills in a practical navigation challenge using Ordnance Survey maps.

• NCCA Curriculum Specifications
• NCCA: Primary - Maps, Globes and Graph Work
• NCCA: Primary - Using Maps

About This Topic

The Map Skills Challenge: Navigation Task requires students to apply key map reading abilities using Ordnance Survey maps. They identify symbols, use grid references, measure distances with scale, and interpret contour lines for elevation. Tasks focus on finding the most efficient route between points, evaluating strategies for rough terrain with compass bearings, and explaining why precise navigation ensures safety during exploration.

This topic aligns with NCCA Primary standards for Maps, Globes and Graph Work and Using Maps. It develops spatial reasoning essential for geography, connects to history through explorers' journeys, and prepares students for real-world applications like hiking or urban planning. Students justify choices based on evidence from the map, fostering critical thinking and decision-making skills.

Active learning shines here because navigation challenges turn static map study into dynamic problem-solving. When students physically follow planned routes or compete in orienteering relays, they experience the consequences of misreading symbols or ignoring terrain. This hands-on approach builds confidence, deepens understanding through trial and error, and makes abstract skills relevant and memorable.

Key Questions

1. Analyze the most efficient route between two points on a map.
2. Evaluate the best strategies for navigating challenging terrain using map and compass.
3. Justify the importance of accurate map reading for safety and exploration.

Learning Objectives

• Calculate the actual distance between two points on an Ordnance Survey map using its scale.
• Evaluate the most efficient route between two given points on a map, considering terrain and distance.
• Justify the selection of a specific route by referencing map features like contour lines and paths.
• Demonstrate the use of a compass to take a bearing for a specific leg of a planned route.

Before You Start

Map Symbols and Features

Why: Students must be able to identify and understand common map symbols and features before they can use them for navigation.

Understanding Map Scale

Why: Accurate distance measurement is crucial for route planning, requiring prior knowledge of how map scale works.

Introduction to Grid References

Why: Locating points on a map is a foundational skill for planning any navigation task.

Key Vocabulary

Ordnance Survey map	A detailed map of Great Britain produced by the Ordnance Survey, showing physical features, administrative boundaries, and man-made structures.
Scale	The ratio between a distance on a map and the corresponding distance on the ground, used to measure real-world distances from the map.
Grid reference	A system of lines on a map that divides it into squares, used to locate specific points by giving their horizontal and vertical position.
Contour lines	Lines on a map that connect points of equal elevation, showing the shape and steepness of the land's surface.
Compass bearing	A specific direction measured in degrees clockwise from North, used with a compass to navigate.

Watch Out for These Misconceptions

Common Misconception

The shortest straight line on a map is always the fastest route.

What to Teach Instead

Terrain features like steep contours or roads affect travel time and safety. Active route-planning tasks let students test paths in simulations, revealing why detours around hills save energy. Peer reviews reinforce evidence-based choices over assumptions.

Common Misconception

Map symbols exactly match real-life appearances.

What to Teach Instead

Symbols are standardized conventions, not photos; for example, a green patch means varied vegetation. Hands-on orienteering with OS maps helps students match symbols to actual features, building accurate mental models through direct comparison and group discussion.

Common Misconception

Compasses always point to true north without adjustment.

What to Teach Instead

Magnetic variation requires grid-to-magnetic conversion on OS maps. Compass relays expose errors in real navigation, prompting students to check declination and adjust bearings collaboratively for precise results.

Active Learning Ideas

Orienteering Circuit: School Grounds Challenge

Print OS map excerpts of school grounds with 6-8 control points marked by symbols. Students use compasses to plot bearings and grid references to locate points, punching cards at each. Debrief as a class to compare routes and discuss terrain impacts.

45 min·Small Groups

Route Planning Pairs: Urban Explorer

Provide OS maps of a local area with start and end points. Pairs measure distances, note obstacles like rivers or hills via contours, and sketch optimal paths with justifications. Pairs present routes to class for peer feedback.

30 min·Pairs

Compass Relay: Terrain Tactics

Set up a relay course with cones representing map features. Teams draw bearings from a shared OS map snippet, run to navigate accurately, and tag next teammate. Rotate roles and score based on precision.

35 min·Small Groups

Individual Map Quest: Safety Scenarios

Give students OS maps with hypothetical scenarios like a lost hiker. They annotate safest routes, citing symbols and scales. Share solutions in a whole-class gallery walk to highlight varied strategies.

25 min·Individual

Real-World Connections

• Mountain rescue teams in Snowdonia National Park use detailed Ordnance Survey maps and compasses daily to plan search patterns and navigate challenging, often featureless, terrain to locate lost hikers.
• Professional orienteers compete in timed races across varied landscapes, relying on precise map reading and compass skills to find control points as quickly as possible, similar to the navigation tasks students will undertake.
• Land surveyors use maps and GPS technology, which builds upon fundamental map reading principles, to accurately measure property boundaries and map terrain for construction projects.

Assessment Ideas

Quick Check

Provide students with a section of an Ordnance Survey map. Ask them to identify the grid reference for a specific landmark and calculate the straight-line distance to another point using the map's scale. Review their calculations for accuracy.

Discussion Prompt

Present students with two different potential routes between two points on a map. Ask: 'Which route is more efficient and why?' Encourage them to use map features like paths, contour lines, and water bodies in their justifications.

Exit Ticket

On a small card, ask students to write one sentence explaining the purpose of contour lines and one sentence describing a situation where using a compass bearing is essential for safety.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I introduce Ordnance Survey maps to 6th class?

Start with familiar local areas on OS maps to build confidence in grid references and symbols. Use think-pair-share for students to predict features before field verification. This scaffolds skills progressively, linking to NCCA map work standards while keeping engagement high through relevance.

What activities best develop navigation skills?

Orienteering circuits and route-planning pairs combine map reading with physical movement. Students apply scale, contours, and bearings in context, justifying decisions. These build spatial awareness and teamwork, directly addressing key questions on efficient routes and terrain strategies.

How can I address common map reading errors?

Target misconceptions like ignoring terrain with annotated map challenges. Provide feedback loops in group tasks where students defend routes. This iterative process, aligned with NCCA standards, helps refine skills and emphasizes safety in exploration.

How does active learning benefit map skills challenges?

Active tasks like schoolyard orienteering make abstract map elements tangible, as students physically navigate and adjust plans based on real obstacles. Collaboration in relays fosters discussion of errors, boosting retention and confidence. This approach outperforms worksheets by linking skills to safety and exploration outcomes in NCCA geography.