Discovering the Continents

Overview

• Age group: KS1 (Year 2, ages 6–7)
• Class size: 22 students
• Duration: 60 minutes
• Subject: Geography
• Learning Objective (LO):
  Locate the world’s seven continents on a map.
• Curriculum links:
  • National Curriculum for England: Geography – Locational Knowledge (Key Stage 1)
  • "Name and locate the world’s seven continents and five oceans"
  • Development Matters: Understanding the World (EYFS/KS1 interface)

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Learning Outcomes

By the end of this lesson, pupils will be able to:

• Identify and name all seven continents on a large world map.
• Understand the relative position of each continent.
• Begin to recognise key features or characteristics of some continents.
• Demonstrate physical movement or mnemonic strategies to help recall continents.

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Resources Required

• Large floor world map or interactive digital map (projected or on a smartboard)
• Colourful continent flashcards
• Playdough or coloured clay pots (one colour per continent)
• World continent song (audio playback device)
• Blank outline maps for each child (activity sheet)
• Sticky labels or post-it notes
• ‘Globe Trotter’ reward stickers
• Timer/ stopwatch

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Lesson Structure

1. Starter Activity (10 minutes)

“Spin the Globe” Engagement

• Begin with a brief interactive globe tour using a physical globe or digital 3D globe on the board.
• Invite one student to spin the globe and stop it, then name the continent closest to where their finger lands.
• Teacher briefly names and points to the continent, reinforcing pronunciation using a catchy alliteration or descriptive word (e.g., “Africa – lots of animals!”).
• Repeat 5 spins to warm up and build curiosity.

2. Introduction (10 minutes)

Meet the Seven Continents

• Display large world map with the continents highlighted in different colours.
• Teacher introduces each continent in turn: Africa, Antarctica, Asia, Australia, Europe, North America, South America.
• Use simple, vivid language and a mnemonic to remember all seven:
  Animal Adventures Abroad Are Exciting Nearly Simple (Africa, Asia, Antarctica, Australia, Europe, North America, South America).
• Play a short catchy world continent song (around 2 minutes) with clear names and repetition.

3. Main Activity (25 minutes)

Interactive Continent Treasure Hunt

• Pupils work in small groups (4-5 children per group) around the large floor map.
• Each group is given a set of coloured playdough pots matching the continents.
• Teacher calls out a continent; students run to the map and use the playdough to mark the continent’s location on the floor map.
• For each continent, teacher provides a fun fact (e.g., "Antarctica is covered in ice!") before students place their clay.
• Groups then label the continent with sticky notes, practising correct spelling.
• Rotate until all continents are covered.
• End this activity with a quick Q&A, allowing groups to share one fact about their assigned continent.

4. Consolidation (10 minutes)

Continents on Paper

• Hand out blank outline maps to each child showing only oceans.
• Pupils colour and label the seven continents using their memory from the lesson and reference flashcards.
• Teacher walks around offering hints or 1:1 support as needed.
• Use this as a quick formative assessment to gauge knowledge.

5. Plenary (5 minutes)

Continents Quiz with Movement

• Play a quick “Simon Says” style game:
  • “Simon says jump if you think Europe is east of Africa.”
  • “Simon says touch your head if South America is a continent.”
  • “Spin around if the continent is Antarctica.”
• Finish by asking students to name all seven continents aloud together.
• Award ‘Globe Trotter’ stickers for enthusiastic participation.

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Differentiation

• Support: Use continent flashcards with images for children who need visual prompts.
• Challenge: Ask higher-attaining pupils to name one country or animal from a continent after identifying it.
• Provide additional time or adult support for labelling sheets where needed.

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Assessment

• Throughout activities, teacher observes and notes pupils' ability to name and locate continents.
• Completed blank maps used for quick assessment of knowledge retention.
• Oral responses during plenary assessed for recall accuracy.

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Reflection & Next Steps

• Reflect on which continents were more challenging and plan to revisit these through stories, multimedia, or targeted games.
• Consider using the next lesson to explore the five oceans alongside continents to complement learning.
• Integrate cross-curricular links with literacy by writing a simple fact file about a continent.

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Additional Creative Ideas for WOW Factor

• Create a 3D continent model wall display using clay or papier-mâché later in the week.
• Use augmented reality apps (if available) to bring continents to life on tablets for home learning extension.
• Invite pupils to prepare a short presentation or “continent report” using photos or artefacts shared at home.

This multi-sensory and movement-based approach aligns with the UK’s emphasis on active learning and helps embed geographical location knowledge in engaging, memorable ways.