Elementary PE: Current Version

Cambridge MA 3rd Grade Lesson Plans

In 2021-22, based partly on the Sunita-Williams lesson plans, we revised our Cambridge 3rd grade lesson plans. The 6-class sequence is as follows:

1. Boundary Run, Gathering and Animal-O

2. Geometric-O

3. Electronic Timing

4. Picture Maps

5. Symbol-O

6. Courses on Orienteering Maps

An overview including the SHAPE America standards is linked here.

One-page summaries of each lesson are here.

Full descriptions of each lesson are here.

Concepts, authorship and acknowledgments

Sunita-Williams K-5 Lesson Plans

These lesson plans were developed in collaboration with Rob Tatro in Needham, MA

We used a progression of lessons that changed depending on the grade level and readiness of the classes. The activities were as follows:

1. Animal-O: find checkpoints (pictures of animals) in an order matching your clue sheet.

2. Symbol-O: find checkpoints at a sequence of features indicated by a map symbol.

3. Micro-O: use a map of a small space that has an embedded checkpoint description table.

4. Woods Animal-O: take your finding skills to larger and more difficult terrain.

5. Geometric-O: introduction to maps using a simple patterned layout of checkpoints. Emphasis on map orienting. There are 7 increasing levels of difficulty of courses.

6. Small Score-O: find checkpoints in any order using a map.

7. Score-O: find checkpoints throughout the entire campus.

8. Poison Score-O + Symbols: use your fine map-reading skills to find checkpoints shown on your map, avoiding decoy (poison) checkpoints. This activity requires a solid knowledge of map symbols to distinguish between good and poison checkpoints.

9. Race with electronic timing: put your skills together to do an orienteering course using the skills you have developed.

10. Tree courses: Navigate with a map in a wooded area with a focus on contour lines and natural features. 

11. Map visualization: Imagine walking on a path through the school campus, paying attention to all your senses. Draw the dozen largest features of the campus in correct relationship to each other.

12. Pin punching race: test your skills on a classic race.

13. Island-O: most of the map has faded. Can you still navigate? Use your distance and direction skills, along with your knowledge of the campus.

Different grades had different activity sequences appropriate for their abilities:

• Grades K-2: Animal-O in pairs; Symbol-O; Micro-O with animal clue sheets; Woods Animal-O; Geometric-O

• Grade 3: Animal-O in pairs; Animal-O with Electronic Timing; Symbol-O; Micro-O; Small Score-O; Poison Score-O + Symbols; Woods Animal-O; Geometric-O; Pin punching race; Island-O.

• Grades 4-5: Animal-O in mixed pairs; Animal-O with Electronic Timing; Score-O; Micro-O; Poison Score-O + Symbols; Race with Electronic Timing; Tree Courses; Geometric-O; Map Visualization; Pin Punching Race; Island-O

After the unit was completed, we invited families to come for a Family Fun Night featuring orienteering races. We set up an Animal-O course that could be done either with clue sheets or a map, and several full-campus sprint courses. We used electronic timing for all courses. We also showcased the Animal-O activity.