Standard: SS1G3 the Student Will Locate Major Topographical Features of the Earth S Surface

Standard: SS1G3 The student will locate major topographical features of the earth’s surface. a. Locate all of the continents: North America, South America, Africa, Europe, Asia, Antarctica, and Australia.

Essential Question: Can you locate the 7 continents?

Activator: Teach the motions that go with the song below (don’t teach the words at this time). While making the motions, have students copy you.

Teacher Directed Mini Lesson: When students know the motions, begin the lesson by introducing the names of the continents. As you name each continent locate it on a map or globe. Sing the 7 Continents Song. Have students join you as you sing. After singing the song while doing the motions several times demonstrate how to use the words and motions to locate the continents.

Student Work: Have students identify the continents on a laminated desk map, small globe, or a paper copy of a map.

Summarizer: Sing the song with the students while doing the motions. Stop at different places during the song to have students point to the correct continent on a large classroom map.

Follow up: This lesson can be reviewed by playing games with the students.

 If you have a beach ball globe, toss the globe to a student. The student must identify the continent(s) that his hands are touching when he catches the ball.  Pin the Plane on the Continent: This is an adaptation of 'Pin the Tail on the Donkey'. Give each student a piece of paper in the shape of a plane. Let them write their names on the plane. Write the name of each continent on a piece of paper and place the 7 pieces of paper in a jar or bowl or bag. Let students come up one at a time and draw out a piece of paper. Blindfold them, spin them around and then lead them to the map and let them try to fly their plane to the continent they drew. 7 Continents Song

North America (Hold up left hand) South America (Touch left knee) Europe (Nose) Asia (Right hand) Africa (Middle- equator) Don’t forget Australia (Right knee) Don’t forget Antarctica (Feet) Tell me the continents (Raise hands over head) These are the continents (Bring hands down in a circular motion) Now find them if you can (Hold both hands at waist with palms up)

Teaching Tips:  Teach the motions first. While making the motions, have students copy the motions you are making.  When students know the order of the motions, begin the lesson by introducing the names of the continents.  Show each continent on a map.  Sing the 7 Continents Song. Have students join you as you sing.  When students know the song show them how easily they can find the continents by using the motions they learned.