Math

 

Orienteering: Out of the Book...Into the World

    Chatfield faculty were awarded a grant through the DTE Energy Foundation Math Enrichment Program.

    The purpose of the project is to increase middle school student MEAP performance in geometry, measurement, and data and probability and to stimulate interest in real-world math applications through the teachong of adventure orienteering.

       The lesson plans are designed so that in the first year of the orienteering model, fifth grade students will have an introduction to orienteering a basic course with given distances, directions and angle measures. In doing so students will use compasses, protractors and maps to convert measurements within a given system using a pacing count and determine distances to calculate perimeter and area of course traveled. The use of these tools will also allow students to measure and identify angles in relationship to their position. Students will demonstrate mastery of these basic devices that will enable them to solve mathematical problems and help to prepare them to use more sophisticated forms of technology later in the program.

    In year two of the program, as students move into sixth grade, the Michigan Mathematics GLCEs require students to continue to expand their repertoire about shapes and their properties. Learners will do this by reviewing the basic orienteering and math skills taught in grade five.

    Although the project was designed to specifically increase students' mathematical performance in  grades 5 and 6, basic orienteering skills can be introduced in grades 3 and 4.

 Orienteering can easily be implemented into any classroom. Chatfield faculty encourages educators to visit the links below where you will find detailed lesson plans for grades 5-6.

Orienteering Diagnostic Assessment.pdf                    Orienteering Lesson 1.pdf                    Orienteering Lesson 2.pdf