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Clue strips: find the feature that matches each map symbol

Map legend: what each symbol means

Symbol-O — Activity (Map Symbol Orienteering)

Understand map symbols and the features they represent

Time	30-60 minutes
Space	Gym, schoolyard, or local park
Materials	Checkpoints (with animal pictures), Large-scale orienteering map or picture map, Map key (legend) poster or handout, All-checkpoints map or list of symbols corresponding to the animals, Symbol-O clue sheets
Vocabulary	Symbol, Feature, Legend

"Today we will learn about orienteering maps and symbols"

Learn map symbols and the features they represent in the terrain. Use a clue sheet to visit different features within a boundary. Repeat using different clue sheets to learn all the symbols. Builds map reading, symbol recognition, and the connection between map and terrain.

Learning Goals

Learning Goals

Students completing this activity will be able to:

• Recognize common orienteering map symbols and name the features they represent
• Match symbols on the map to features on the ground
• Use a symbol clue sheet to find checkpoints in order (similar to Animal-O, but with symbols instead of animal pictures)
• Self-check using the animal pictures at each checkpoint
• Plan the order of features before starting

This activity works best after students have completed Geometric-O and are ready to transition from simple pattern maps to orienteering maps with real symbols. See the Grade 3-5 curriculum for how this activity fits into the lesson sequence.

How to Run It

How to Run It

Setup

1. Place checkpoints (with animal pictures) at features that match the symbols in the answer key. For example, place one checkpoint on a fence, one by a tree, one near a bench
2. Prepare a map key poster showing the symbols used at your site
3. Prepare Symbol-O clue sheets: strips of symbols (no text) that students must match to features in order, similar to Animal-O clue sheets but with map symbols instead of animal pictures
4. Have an all-checkpoints map or answer key listing which animal is at which feature

Steps

1. Run the boundary, discuss inside/outside
2. Explore to find checkpoints, remembering where a few of them are. Gather on the signal
3. Compare the orienteering map to any picture maps or pattern maps used before. Orient the map. Point out features and have volunteers run to them and back
4. Show the map key. If possible, hide the text labels and have students guess what each symbol represents before revealing it. Quiz students on matching symbols to features and features to symbols
5. Point to a symbol on the key and challenge all students to find the checkpoint at that type of feature. Then pass out symbol clue sheets. Students work individually or in pairs, visiting features in the order the symbols appear on the sheet. They check their answer using the animal picture at each checkpoint
6. When students finish, verify they visited all features in the correct order. If they made mistakes, explain where the error was and let them try again. Students may repeat courses as they please

Tips

• A checkpoint at one feature can sometimes be interpreted as another (e.g., a checkpoint at a trail intersection near some trees could be read as "trail intersection" or "vegetation"). Be aware of alternative correct answers
• Have students say the order of features out loud before starting. This confirms they understand the clue sheet
• Start with 3-4 easy symbols (path, building, fence) before adding harder ones (vegetation boundaries, contours)

Script

Script

Introducing the Symbols

"The challenge in this activity is to learn the map symbols, and use those to find the checkpoints. Start by looking at this map key."

(Hold up the map key.)

"You will receive a sheet of symbols that looks like this, although it won't have the words, and they might be in a different order. You must find checkpoints hidden at features matching these symbols in order from top to bottom."

"Can anyone remind me what a feature is?"

(A real-life object that can be shown on a map.)

Trying It Together

"For example, if you were using the map key here, which checkpoint would you have to find first? This is the symbol for a bench, so you go to the checkpoint at the bench first! Everyone try to find the checkpoint on the bench right now."

(Students run to the bench checkpoint and back.)

"What animal was at the bench? Check your clue sheet. Good. Now look at your second symbol..."

Vocabulary

Vocabulary

Symbol: A figure on the map that represents an object in real life. For example, a green circle means a tree, and the color blue means water.

Feature: A real-life object that can be shown as a symbol on a map. Fences, buildings, paths, and trees are all features.

Legend: A key that shows what each symbol on the map means. Also called a map key.

See the Glossary for all curriculum terms.

Related Activities

Related Activities

Symbol Relay (variation)

Team relay to learn map symbols competitively. See the full Symbol Relay activity page.