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Year 1 - Geography

Mapping the world: locating the continents

Continents and oceans: what can we find out about the world?

Unit Summary

This unit uses globes, maps and satellite images to explore the world's continents, oceans, rivers and mountains. Pupils locate key features and landmarks and begin to understand the UK's position in the wider world.

Lesson Summary

You will learn to understand that a map is a 2D model of the world and you know what continents and oceans are.

Key Notes

  • It is hard to make a 2D map of a 3D world and so maps of the world can look quite different from each other.
  • We call large blocks of land continents and there are seven of these on Earth.
  • There are seven continents: Europe, Africa, North America, South America, Asia, Oceania and Antarctica.
  • Some continents, such as North and South America, are connected and some, such as Oceania, include lots of islands.

Vocabulary To Learn

  • 2D: A two-dimensional (2D) object is flat - its dimensions are height (top to bottom) and width (side to side).
  • 3D: A three-dimensional (3D) object is solid - its dimensions are height (top to bottom), width (side to side) and depth (front to back).
  • continent: A continent is a large land mass on Earth and there are seven: Africa, Antarctica, Asia, Europe, North America, South America, Oceania.
  • ocean: An ocean is a very big area of salt water between the continents.

Common Mistakes To Avoid

  • Africa is country.

3 Quick Questions (With Answers)

1. Explain this geography topic using two clear key points.

It is hard to make a 2D map of a 3D world and so maps of the world can look quite different from each other. We call large blocks of land continents and there are seven of these on Earth.

2. Define this geography term and use it in an example. '2D'

A two-dimensional (2D) object is flat - its dimensions are height (top to bottom) and width (side to side).

3. Correct this common geography misunderstanding.

Mistake: Africa is country. Correction: The continent of Africa contains 54 countries.

More Lessons In This Unit

Browse all guides in the Year 1 Geography guide library.