Course objectives, lesson plans, and student worksheets are provided in this guide for a unit introducing ninth grade students to the skills of road and topographical map reading. Designed for nonacademic students who are, in general, characterized by poor self esteem, low academic potential, and low reading ability, the unit emphasizes practical experience along with opportunities for group activity, group problem solving, and development of leadership qualities. Specific plans for each day of the six-week course give a list of necessary equipment, a statement of specific objectives for the day, a schedule of activities, and student worksheets for classroom and outdoor assignments. Problem solving activities to build small group identity and cohesiveness initiate the unit. Subsequent activities include planning road trips, planning hikes with topographical maps, and a school site direction orientation task. The unit culminates with an orienteering experience. Worksheets guide acquisition of numerous map reading skills, e.g., use of scale keys to determine distances, use of coordinates to locate cities, use of mileage tables, identification of map symbols, and direction orientation with a compass. (JH)