Skip to main content

Geometric-O Setup

This page describes how to set up the physical layout for Geometric-O courses. For how to teach the activity, see the Geometric-O activity page.

Grid Layout​

Geometric-O uses an imaginary 4x5 grid of evenly-spaced positions. You do not need to mark the grid on the ground. Just picture the layout mentally and place cones at the grid points shown on the all-checkpoints map.

Setting Up​

  1. Place the colored landmark cones at the four corners of the grid. These must match the all-checkpoints map exactly. If the all-checkpoints map shows red in the northeast corner, put the red cone in the northeast corner. Double-check this before placing any other cones.

  2. Place the animal checkpoint cones at their grid positions according to the all-checkpoints map. Exact distances do not need to be perfect, but the positions relative to the colored landmarks must be correct.

  3. Verify the layout by standing at the start position with the all-checkpoints map. Orient the map and confirm that the colored landmarks match. Then check that each animal cone is in the correct relative position.

Common Mistakes​

  • Wrong corner colors. If the red cone is in the northeast but the map shows it in the northwest, every course will be wrong. This is the most important thing to get right.
  • Grid spacing too tight. Spread the grid out as much as your space allows. Students need room to navigate between checkpoints.
  • Checkpoints too close together. If two checkpoints are right next to each other, students will find both without needing the map. Space them out so navigation is required.

Equipment Versions​

Navigation Games provides two versions of Geometric-O equipment, each with its own set of animals and corresponding courses.

  • Version 2.0 (current) -- used in Brookline schools
  • Version 1 (original) -- used in Cambridge schools

Both versions use the same 4x5 grid layout and the same colored landmark cones. The difference is the animal pictures and the course maps. Make sure you are using courses that match your animal set.

Tips​

  • Set up the grid before students arrive. The setup takes 5-10 minutes once you know the layout.
  • Take a photo of your completed setup. Next time you set up in the same space, you can use the photo as a reference.
  • If you are setting up on a field with existing lines (soccer, football), you can use the lines as grid references for consistent placement.