Survival on a Ship 

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Part 6: Mapping and Navigation

Goals:

1. For the teacher to introduce mapping and navigation.
2. For the students to work effectively in groups of 4 to complete a mappingactivity.

1. Maps for navigation
2. Maps for mapping activity
3. Treasure map reward pack
-The reward of pens, pencils and blow pops should be stapled shut in a paper bag
-The reward should remain a mystery until the groups find their treasure at the end of the
mapping activity.

Procedure:

1. The teacher will give a brief introduction to mapping and navigation.
2. The teacher will ask the students what they know about mapping and navigation, and why it would be important for survival.
i.e.. -The teacher asks the student what they would do if they were lost.
-Some possible answers might be asking for directions, look for street signs, orfigure out
what direction they (North, South, East, or West) are facing.
- The teacher might then ask the class what they might do if they were stranded inthe middle of the woods.
- Some possible answers might be to use the sun, stars, or compass for direction.
3. If students have not covered all methods, teacher should explain why it is important to know survival.
4. The teacher will provide examples of using mapping and navigation to find distance and direction.
i.e. -The teacher asks the students to raise their hands if they know directions and how they work.
-The teacher shows the class directions within the classroom--North, South, East, West
-The teacher orally quizzes the class by pointing to a wall and asks what direction it is.
5. The teacher will hand out a mapping and navigation assignment where the students will find the distance
and direction from one point to other points on the map.
-The teacher demonstrates by drawing a map on the chalkboard (See sample map).
6. The teacher will inform students to use what they know about finding distances and directions through
mapping and navigation to construct a treasure map.
7. The groups will construct a treasure map that can only be solved by finding correct distances
and directions (For example: To find the next clue, startfrom the slide and go 30 paces West, then go 15 paces Southwest)
-The teacher must demonstrate to the students the proper way to measure a pace.
-The teacher should remind the students that a pace is a regular stride forward with your leg.
8. The students will execute the distances and directions on their group's treasure map to check for accuracy (One group at a time should execute their treasuremaps so their treasure is not discovered by another group)

1. Each group will assess the accuracy of their own treasure map (Criteriaforsuccess = Each group will hand in a treasure map with accurate distances and directions)
2. Working effectively in groups (Criteria for success = all members of the group contribute to the completion of the treasure map)

1. Making the treasure map activity into a class competition, where the most difficult, yet accurate, treasure map wins that group a prize.

Go Back To "Survival on a Ship" Part 5: Using Library Resources

Go To "Survival on a Ship" Part 7: Problem Solving

Go To Table of Contents

Survival developed by:  David Didier, Justin Brandt, Travis Glandt, and Steve Raethz for the St. Norbert College Ocean Voyagers Program