Glossary
Definitions for terms used across the curriculum. Activity pages list vocabulary by name; definitions always come from here.
Boundary
The perimeter of the play area. All checkpoints are inside the boundary.
Checkpoint
A location marked with a cone, flag, or streamer in the field. On a map, checkpoints are shown with a circle. In Animal-O, each checkpoint has an animal picture attached to the cone. In the sport of orienteering, a checkpoint is called a "control."
Clue sheet
A list showing the order to visit checkpoints. In Animal-O, the clue sheet shows pictures of animals. In standard orienteering, the clue sheet uses numbers and describes the feature at each checkpoint.
Course
A sequence of checkpoints from start to finish. To complete a course, start at the Start marker, visit each checkpoint in order, and finish at the Finish marker.
Explore
Travel through an unfamiliar area to learn what's there. Students may already know the space, but they can still look for what's new, different, or something they haven't noticed before.
Feature
A distinct object in the real world, such as a tree, bench, fence, or boulder. Features are used as landmarks and as checkpoint locations.
Gathering signal
A signal from the leader (such as a whistle blast or raised hand) telling everyone to stop and gather at a designated spot.
Landmark
A distinct, recognizable object or location in the space. Good landmarks are easy to see from a distance and hard to confuse with others.
Map
A picture that represents an area. Maps use symbols to show real-world features. A map lets you plan a route before moving through the space.
Mental map
A map you build in your mind by moving through and observing a space. Spatial memory is the ability to hold and use a mental map.
Orient the map
Rotate the map so it aligns with the real world: features on the left of the map are to your left, features ahead on the map are ahead of you.
Orienteering
A sport where participants navigate between checkpoints using a map and compass, completing a course as quickly as possible. Rules and mapping standards are set by the International Orienteering Federation (IOF).
Pattern map
A map showing a set of objects arranged in a geometric pattern. Used in Geometric-O.
Picture map
A picture of a space that can be used as a map to locate objects. Used before students learn standard map symbols.
Route choice
The path you choose to get from one checkpoint to the next. Good route choice considers distance, terrain, and landmarks.
Spatial memory
The ability to remember where things are in space. Develops through repeated exploration of the same area.
Spatial relationship words
Words that describe where something is relative to the observer or to other objects: next to, beyond, between, left, right, behind, in front of.
Symbol
A graphic mark on a map that represents a real-world feature. For example, a small green circle represents a tree.