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| journal page pdf |
Beginning |  |
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| journal page pdf |
Beginning | |
The Wolf Ridge Beginning Orienteering class provides many extension possiblilites for the classroom. Tie-ins can be made to a variety of topics including earth science, landforms, magnetism, and more. Visit this page periodically as we will add new activities and links suggested by Wolf Ridge visiting school teachers, and eventually our own interactive on-line activities.
1. Learn about the earth's magnetism by experimenting with magnets. Collect a bunch of different size and shape magnets. Demonstrate that opposites attract by stacking the magnets together. Show how like poles repel by pushing one magnet across a smooth surface with another magnet without the two magnets touching. After these experiments, mark each end of the magnet to show positive and negative ends.
Graduation Standard: 6-8th Science, Physical Systems (2)
2. Make your own compass by rubbing a needle across a magnet and floating the needle on water.
Graduation Standard: 1-3rd Science, Direct Science Experience (E)
3. Locate the four cardinal directions by using nature clues (ex: sun rising or setting, north star, moss growing on the north side of trees). Draw an aerial picture of your home showing which way it faces. What direction does your bedroom window face? With a compass check to see if the nature clues did work in finding directions.
Graduation Standard: 4-5th Inquiry, Media, Observation and Investigation (A)
1. Have the students calculate their natural pace. The way to determine your natural pace is to walk a known distance and divide the number of your paces into that distance. A pace is equal to 2 steps. Mark off 100 feet. Have your students start with their left foot and slap your right thigh each time their right foot strikes the ground; counting number of paces as they go. Send your students off and remind them not to exaggerate their steps. Divide the number of paces into the known distance (100 ft) and end up with the distance of their natural pace.
Graduation Standard: 6-8 Mathematics, Number Sense (5)
2. Have each student create a 3 point orienteering course in the school yard. The course should include the bearings and distances between each point.
Graduation Standard: 4-5th Mathematics, Shape, Space, Measure (6)
3. Have the students pick an equilateral shape and demonstrate their ability to pace and take a bearing accurately by walking that shape and ending at the same position from where they started from. See optional activity, Walking a Square for directions. Other shapes beside squares, are triangle, hexagon, pentagon, etc. Of course the bearing will be different for each shape. Divide the number of sides into 360° (number of degrees in a circle) and that will give you the number of degrees (bearing) you need to add each time. The number of sides dictates the number of times you need to add the bearing and go the distance to arrive at your home point.
Graduation Standards:
6-8th Mathematics, Space, Shape, Measurement (5)
4-5th Mathematics, Space, Shape, Measurement (6)
Under construction.
Class Description:
After learning the definition and history of orienteering, students learn parts of the compass and how to set and follow a bearing. Distance measurement is taught through individual pacing and applied math skills. Students will demonstrate skills while on a course for 1 hour and 20 minutes. These skills will be applied to map work and the outdoor ethic they can help people attain in this outdoor recreation class.
Total Time: 3 hours (2 hours outdoors)
Audience: 6-20 students, 4th grade through adult
Activity level: Ridge Course: easy, Valley Course: moderate
Travel: Ridge Course: 1/2 mile, Valley Course: 1 1/2 miles
Total Uphill Travel: Ridge Course: 50 ft., Valley Course: 300 ft.
Outcomes
Upon completion of the Beginning Orienteering class, students will be able to:
- Measure a distance by pacing.
- Find a bearing by reading a compass, sighting an object and walking until reaching a designated point that was initially out of sight.
- Explain how to use a compass, when lost in the woods, to find their way to a known spot.
Minnesota Graduation Standards
The Beginning Orienteering class will provide students with guided practice, in an authentic setting, to support the following Graduations Standards. We have chosen one to three “major focus” standards per grade level. Due to the holistic nature of environmental education, several other standards, not listed here, are addressed as well.
Task Management Skills: Teamwork, Perseverance, Resource Management, Time Management
• 6-8th Mathematics: Space, Shape, Measurement (5)
• 6-8th Decision making: Physical Education and Fitness (1,6,7)
• 4-5th Decision making: Physical Education and Fitness (1,4,5)
• 4-5th Mathematics: Space, Shape, Measurement (1,2,6)
Wolf Ridge Curriculum Concepts