Exploring Our World

Curriculum Area

Key Stage 1 – Geography
National Curriculum (England) – Locational Knowledge

• Name and locate the world’s seven continents and five oceans

Lesson Objectives

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

1. Recall and name all seven continents
2. Recall and name all five oceans
3. Identify the location of each continent and ocean on a world map

Lesson Duration

45 minutes

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Lesson Outline

1. Introduction – 10 minutes

Engaging Starter Activity: 'Mystery Object'

• Teacher holds up a globe and asks the class:
  "What do you think this object represents?"
• Encourage pupils to share their thoughts (e.g. "It’s the world!", "It’s a map!").
• Explain that today’s lesson will be a global adventure, where they will become explorers, discovering the continents and oceans of the world.

Quick Recap (Question & Answer)

• Ask pupils:
  1. "Who remembers how many continents there are?" (Seven)
  2. "Can you name any?" (Encourage answers: Europe, Asia, Antarctica, etc.)
  3. "How many oceans do we have?" (Five)
  4. "Can you name any of the oceans?" (Encourage responses)

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2. Exploration Task – 15 minutes

Interactive Activity: 'Continents & Oceans Hunt'

• Display a large world map on the board/wall.
• Hand out mini world maps to each pupil.
• Give pupils a list of riddles to identify continents (Example: "I am the biggest continent and have the Great Wall – who am I?" → Asia).
• As each riddle is solved, a pupil sticks a label on the right continent on the large map.
• Repeat this for the five oceans with different riddles (Example: "I touch the UK and am the second-largest ocean – who am I?" → Atlantic Ocean).

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3. Active Learning – 10 minutes

Game: 'Seven Continents, Five Oceans Action Game'

• The teacher calls out either a continent or an ocean.
• Pupils must do a specific action:
  • Jump if it’s a continent.
  • Spin if it’s an ocean.
  • Example: Teacher says "Pacific Ocean!" → Pupils spin.
• Gradually increase speed to make it exciting!

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4. Reflection & Plenary – 10 minutes

Partner Quiz: 'Continent & Ocean Buddies'

• Pupils pair up and take turns asking each other:
  1. "Name three continents."
  2. "Which ocean is the biggest?"
  3. "Where do we live?" (Ensure they answer "Europe, in the UK").
• Teacher brings class together:
  • Summarises key points.
  • Asks a final question:
    "What’s one new thing you learned today?"

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Resources Needed

• A globe
• Large world map
• Mini world maps for each pupil
• Label stickers
• Continent and ocean riddle cards

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Assessment Opportunities

• Observing pupil participation in the map activity.
• Checking understanding through the partner quiz.
• Monitoring engagement during the active game.

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Differentiation

• Support: Pair struggling pupils with a "continent expert" buddy.
• Challenge: Ask more advanced pupils additional continent facts (e.g. "Which continent has the Amazon Rainforest?").

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Teacher’s Note

This lesson keeps pupils active and engaged while reinforcing key locational knowledge. Using movement-based learning and mystery-style riddles makes the content memorable.

📍 Next Lesson: Exploring the United Kingdom’s Countries and Seas!