Discovering Our World

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Curriculum Area: Geography

Key Stage 2 – Year 6
National Curriculum Link:
"Name and locate the world’s continents and major geographical features. Understand geographical similarities and differences through the study of human and physical geography."

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Learning Objectives

By the end of this lesson, students will:

1. Name and locate the seven continents of the world on a map.
2. Identify key physical features of each continent (e.g., mountains, rivers, deserts).
3. Understand unique characteristics of each continent (climate, animals, cultures).
4. Compare and contrast continents in terms of size, population, and diversity.

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Required Materials

• Large physical world map (wall map or interactive display).
• Individual A3-sized paper maps for students.
• Colouring pencils/markers.
• Postcards or laminated images from each continent (e.g., Great Wall of China, Amazon Rainforest).
• Fact cards about each continent (prepared before class).
• Globe for demonstration.
• Stopwatch or timer.

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Lesson Plan Outline

1. Starter Activity (10 minutes) – Continental Warm-Up!

• Begin the lesson by spinning a globe and asking individual students to place their finger on a continent when the globe stops.
• Ask quickfire questions such as:
  • "Which continent is the largest?"
  • "Which continent do we live on?"
• Use a large map to visually identify all seven continents as a group.
• Wow Factor: Present an interesting fact about each continent. Example: "Antarctica is the world's driest place—it’s actually a desert despite all the snow!"

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2. Main Activity: The Great Continental Race! (35 minutes)

Step 1: Group Research (15 minutes)

• Divide the 20 students into 7 small groups (some with 2, some with 3), assigning a continent to each group.
• Hand out fact cards specific to each continent along with postcard images and A3 paper maps.
• Ask groups to discuss and write down 5 key facts about their continent. Encourage them to focus on:
  • Physical features (e.g., largest rivers, mountains).
  • Climate (hot/cold, rain patterns).
  • Wildlife (unique animals or ecosystems).
  • Culture (landmarks, traditions).
• Teachers can circulate the room, giving specific hints like:
  • "Look at South America—does anyone recognise that big river?"
  • "What’s the name of the large desert in Africa?"

Step 2: Class Sharing (10 minutes)

• Bring the groups back together and allow each to present their assigned continent to the class.
• Stick their findings on a large world map displayed at the front of the classroom.
• As students share, prompt them to compare similarities and differences they might have noticed (e.g., size or landmarks).

Step 3: Visual Pop Quiz (10 minutes)

• Show postcards or images from each continent in random order and ask students to guess which continent they represent.
• Bonus questions: "Which continent is home to the tallest mountain in the world?" "Which continent has the smallest population?"

Wow Factor: Reference fun, unusual animal facts, e.g., "Australia is the only place with wild kangaroos!"

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3. Plenary/Reflection (10 minutes) – What Did We Learn?

• Hand out small slips of paper and ask each student to write down one thing they learned about a continent they didn’t research.
• Go round the room for everyone to share their discoveries.
• Ask reflective questions to consolidate learning:
  • "Was there a continent you hadn’t heard of before?"
  • "Which continent would you like to visit and why?"
• To close, remind students of the connections between continents, highlighting how they are all part of one shared world.

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Differentiation

• For Advanced Learners: Ask them to consider how continents were formed (introduce Pangaea briefly) and provide more complex landmark challenges.
• For Struggling Learners: Pair them with stronger peers or provide simpler fact cards and ask them to visualise the continents using pictures only.

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Homework/Extension Task

Students design a travel poster for any continent they’d like to visit. The poster should include key facts, landmarks, and fun elements from the lesson.

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Assessment Criteria

1. Participation in group research and discussions.
2. Contribution to the class map or quiz.
3. Understanding key differences and similarities between continents shared in reflection.

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Teacher Notes

1. Ensure individual support during group work to help any struggling students.
2. Engage with the students by sharing personal travel experiences of continents if applicable.
3. Incorporate additional resources like globes or songs about continents to enhance engagement.