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Overview:
In this lesson, students will identify characteristics of the physical geography of each continent of the world. Students will start by identifying each of the continents and reassembling continental maps. Then, they will listen to stories set in each of the seven continents to identify geographic characteristics of each place. Finally, students will examine photographs from each continent and write stories that include descriptions of certain geographic characteristics of the continent.
Connections to the Curriculum:
Geography, social studies, writing
Connections to the National Geography Standards:
Standard 5: "That people create regions to interpret Earth's complexity"
Time:
One to two hours
Materials Required:
- Computer with Internet access
- World and Continental maps from National Geographic’s Xpeditions Atlas, large classroom world map, or globe
Objectives:
Students will
- identify cultural and geographic characteristics in stories set on each continent;
- describe, in narrative form, geographic characteristics of each continent; and
- identify each of the continents of the world.
Geographic Skills:
Acquiring Geographic Information
Organizing Geographic Information
Analyzing Geographic Information
S u g g e s t e d P r o c e d u r e
Opening:
Ask students to name each of the world's continents. As they answer, redirect incorrect answers. For example, if a student says "the USA," tell them that the USA is part of one of the continents. Continue until all of the continents are named.
Development:
Show students a globe or world map. Ask students to identify each of the continents by name. Then, ask the students to look at the map or globe and describe what makes a continent a continent (large landmasses).
Tell students that since they are now skilled at identifying the continents, you will need their help. Explain that your maps of the continents were accidentally torn, and you need the students to help you reassemble them. Tell them that they will be using the puzzler interactive to accomplish this. Arrange students in pairs and have them launch the Continent Assembler.
When students have solved all of the puzzles, reconvene as a group and explain that each of the continents has its own unique blend of geographic characteristics; such as mountains, rivers, landscape, climate, wildlife, etc.
Tell the students that you will be reading some stories to them and that each story takes place on a different continent. As they listen, have them identify geographic characteristics of the continent as described in the story. Choose several of the following stories to read. Write the students' responses on the board.
North America: Paul Bunyan Stories
Asia: The Story About Ping by Marjorie Flack
Europe: Grimm's Fairy Tales
Africa: Anansi Stories
South America: B is for Brazil by Maria De Fatima Campos
Oceania: Where the Forest Meets the Sea
Antarctica: The Penguin Family Book
[You can find additional folk tales from around the world on the Tales of Wonder website.]
As students listen to the stories, have them consider the following:
- What is the climate like?
- What is the landscape like?
- What is the wildlife like?
- What other geographic characteristics are there?
Explain that even though these stories describe some of the geography of these continents, there are still many more characteristics that are not included. Ask the students if they know of any other stories that describe one of the continents. Ask if the physical geography of the continent was different from the one read in class. Ask students to list geographic features not mentioned in the stories.
Closing:
Have students look at photographs from one of the continents found in the National Geographic Photo Gallery. Have each student select one photograph and print it. Then, have the students write a fictional story about something that happened in their selected picture.
Suggested Student Assessment:
Hang the selected photographs on a bulletin board. Then, have students read their stories to the class. As students listen to each other's stories, have them identify the geographic characteristics described in the story. Then, as a whole class, try to match the story with the photograph hanging on the bulletin board. Finally, arrange the photographs, and their accompanying stories, by continent.
Extending the Lesson:
Have students complete the GeoSpy continent identification game. If time allows, have students play until they have a perfect score. Related Links:
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