1. Social Studies Window to the World: Lesson 1: Continents and Oceans
Materials needed:
-Window to the World packet
-radio read script (slide show notes correspond
to script for 25 students – adjust as needed)
-microphone (optional)
-Ticket out the Door

2. How can I identify my location on the Earth?
Today, we are ready to start our new unit.
Remember that in our unit we’ll be learning about how to identify locations on the Earth.
Here is our first big question…

3. What are the continents and oceans on the Earth?
The BIG Question:
What are the continents and oceans on the Earth?
(volunteer reads)
Since you learned about this topic in previous years, many of the things we talk about today should be a review for you.
Open to page 3 in your packet…

4. Earth 7 The United States is found on planet ___________.
Millions of years ago, the Earth had just one large area of land called Pangaea. Over
millions of years, the land areas drifted apart to form ________ continents. 7
(volunteers read and fill in * *)
Here * you can see how scientists believe Pangaea split apart over millions of years.
(Pangaea animation:

5. South America Antarctica Africa Australia Asia Europe North America
They are:
1. _______________________ ______________________
2. _______________________ ______________________
3. _______________________ ______________________
4. _______________________
South America
Antarctica
Africa
Australia
Asia
Europe
North America
In past years, you have learned about the seven continents. Turn and talk to your partner. See if you can name all seven continents.
When you are finished, raise your hand.
(call on volunteers to name each continent, fill in answers * * * * * * *)
Now let’s go back to our big question…

6. What are the continents and oceans on the Earth?
The BIG Question:
What are the continents and oceans on the Earth?
We know the main continents on the Earth, but remember our big question also asked about the oceans on the Earth.
Turn and talk to your partner. See if you can name the oceans on the Earth.
Raise your hand when you are finished.

7. Atlantic Ocean Arctic Ocean Pacific Ocean Indian Ocean Southern Ocean
We’ll label the oceans of the world on our map.
Can someone name the ocean that is found to the east * of North and South America? *
Can someone name the ocean that is found * around the north pole? *
What ocean is found off the * west coast of North and South America? *
Let’s include an arrow on the other side * also.
What ocean is found south of * Asia? *
Before the year 2000, these were the four oceans on the Earth. In that year, a fifth ocean was added around Antarctica, * up to 60° South.
Does anyone know the name of this ocean? *
Indian
Ocean
Southern Ocean
The largest continent is _____________, and the smallest continent
is ________________. The United States is located on the
continent of ___________________________.

8. A Radio Reading of Interesting Facts
The Seven Continents
To learn more about the seven continents, we are going to do a radio reading. Each person will be assigned one part of the radio show.
I am going to give you some time to practice your part. Make sure you can pronounce all of your words correctly and can read at a good speed.
(students practice)
We are now ready to perform our show. When you hear the music, that means the next group of people should come to the microphone. When the music stops, you should begin talking. Feel free to sing along with the song.
Click on speaker for MUSIC.
A Radio Reading of
Interesting Facts

9. 1. Asia #1:
Asia, which is joined to Europe, is the largest continent on the Earth, and it covers one-third of the world’s land.

10. Mt. Everest
2. Asia #2:
The world’s tallest mountain, Mt. Everest, is found here. It is 29,035 feet above sea level.

11. The Taj Mahal in India 3. Asia #3:
In Asia, you can visit the Taj Mahal, which is located in India. It is a beautiful marble tomb.

12. (next group comes up while music plays)

13. Africa #1:
Africa is the second largest continent on Earth.
It is the only continent that does not have a long
mountain range.

14. Africa #2:
The world’s largest desert is found in Africa. It is
named the Sahara Desert…

15. The Sahara Desert
and it covers an area that is about the size of the United States.

16. The Nile River Africa #3:
The world’s longest river is also found in Africa.
It is more than 4,000 miles long and is named
the Nile.

17. 10-12 feet tall 10,000-12,000 pounds Run at speeds up to
Africa #4:
Many interesting animals are found in Africa.
The African elephant is the world’s largest land
animal, and the cheetah is the fastest land
animal.
Run at speeds up to
70 miles per hour

18. The Sphinx guards the pyramids.
8. Africa #5:
The African country of Egypt is the location of the ancient pyramids.

19. (next group comes up while music plays)

20. 9. Europe #1:
Europe is the third largest continent on the Earth. It is made up of 47 different countries.

21. The smallest country in the world, the Vatican, is located here.
0.17 square miles

22. The Eiffel Tower Europe #2:
The world’s first skyscraper was built in Europe
in Paris, France. It is named the Eiffel Tower.

23. Europe #3:
There are many famous cities and museums to
visit in Europe. The country of Holland is
famous for its tulips and windmills.

24. (next group comes up while music plays)

25. 12. North America #1:
North America includes the…

26. United States, Canada, Mexico, Central America, and offshore islands
United States, Canada, Mexico, Central America, and offshore islands. One of those islands is Greenland, which is the largest island in the world.

27. West Coast East Coast 13. North America #2:
North America has the largest total coastline of any continent, and mountains line both the east and west coasts.

28. Eagle Bald North America #3:
North America is the only place in the world
where the bald eagle can be found. The bald
eagle is the national bird of the United States of
America.

29. (next group comes up while music plays)

30. 15. South America #1:
South America is made up of twelve countries. The largest country…

31. Brazil, is the fifth largest country in the world.

32. Angel Falls 16. South America #2:
Angel Falls, found in the South American country of Venezuela, is the highest waterfall in the world. The water falls from a height of 3,212 feet, which is 15 times higher than Niagara Falls.

33. 17. South America #3:
The Andes Mountains run along the west coast of South America. The Andes make up the world’s longest mountain range on land.

34. 18. South America #4:
The world’s largest tropical rainforest covers about two-fifths of South America. It is called the Amazon rainforest, and it covers 2.7 million square miles.

35. (next group comes up while music plays)

36. 19. Antarctica #1:
Antarctica is the coldest continent on the Earth. It is also the windiest place on Earth.

37. 20. Antarctica #2:
Ninety-eight percent of the continent is covered by ice and snow. The ice there might be three miles thick in some places!

38. Emperor Penguins 21. Antarctica #3:
Antarctica is famous for it flightless penguins. Emperor penguins, which are the largest of all penguins, live here.

39. (next group comes up while music plays)

40. 22. Australia #1:
Australia is the smallest continent on the Earth and is the only continent that is also a country. It is often called “the land down under” because it is south of the Equator.

41. Kangaroo Koala Dingo 23. Australia #2:
Australia is home to many unique animals, like the koala bear, the kangaroo, and the dingo, which is a kind of dog.
Dingo

42. The Sydney Opera House 24. Australia #3:
People who visit Australia often stop in Sydney to see the Opera House, which is famous for its design.

43. Ayers Rock
25. Australia #4
Visitors can also see Ayers (AY-ers) Rock, which is the largest exposed rock in the world.

44. (last group goes back to their seats while music plays)

45. Atlantic Ocean Arctic Ocean Pacific Ocean Indian Ocean Southern Ocean
Now let’s fill in the facts on the bottom of our page.
(volunteers read and fill in answers * * *)
Put your packet back in your yellow social studies folder.
Asia
The largest continent is _____________, and the smallest continent
is ________________. The United States is located on the
continent of ___________________________.
Australia
North America

46. Sum it up! What did you learn?
Now, let’s sum up what we learned today.
Here was our big question for today…
What did
you learn?

47. What are the continents and oceans on the Earth?
The BIG Question:
What are the continents and oceans on the Earth?
Can someone remind us?
To show what you learned, I am going to give you a…

48. Ticket Out the Door …Ticket out the Door.
Oceans:
Pacific Ocean ___
Southern Ocean ___
Indian Ocean ___
Atlantic Ocean ___
Arctic Ocean ___
…Ticket out the Door.
Your job is to correctly name the 7 continents and the 5 oceans.
Write the correct number from the map behind the name of each continent and ocean.
When finished, on the back, write any other interesting facts you learned today.
Continents:
North America ___ Europe ___ Australia ___ Asia ___
South America ___ Africa ___ Antarctica ___