Continents

One of the goals in the first grade social studies curriculum is to introduce the students to the seven continents.  After learning about them, the students should be able to identify the location of each continent on a map, know what each continent looks like, and to be able to name the outlines of the continents correctly. There are many resources available to help the students learn about the continents and their names. As resources are chosen, make sure that the terminology in them matches your curriculum, as the ones below match ours. For example, Australia is sometimes referred to as Oceania.

Websites

Learning the Continents Through Songs & Poems: These songs cover each continent and the oceans.

World Continents & Oceans Games: Various stages to choose from. Click to learn about the continents, drag the continent to the correct place on the map, click the named continent, and start typing the name of the highlighted continent. 

Identify Seven Continents Game: Drag the label to the correct continent.

World Jigsaw Puzzle: Drag the label to the correct continent.

Quiz – Facts About the Continents: Click on the continent that matches the stated fact. There are ten questions that are always the same.

iPad Apps

Continents and Oceans: The “Learn” section provides a map which students can tap a continent to hear its name said out loud. Under “Game,” students are verbally told the name of a continent to tap on and then have one minute to answer as many of these questions as possible. “Test” provides an experience similar to the “Game” section, except it is not timed. In the settings the oceans can be turned off, otherwise they are included in all of the above sections. ($0.99)

Montessori Approach to Geography – Continents: In the various sections, learn the names of the continents, put a puzzle of the continents back together, and put the puzzle pieces back by continent name. ($2.99)

iWorldGeography Earth’s Continents: In this app, students will learn the names of continents, locate continents, put the continents back on the map, and label the continents. ($2.99)

SimpleSort – Continents: Sort the landmarks and features into the appropriate continent’s bucket. It also includes background information on each landmark or feature that is being sorted. ($0.99)