Subject: Social Studies, 3rd grade

Daily Topic: Continents and Oceans

Objectives: Students will be able to identify and label all seven
continents and all four oceans. They will also be able to use cardinal
and relative directions to describe the locations of oceans and
continents in relation to each other.
Content Standards: Describe characteristics and uses of various maps
(G-1A-E1). Use a compass rose and cardinal directions to interpret a
map (G-1A-E2)
Materials: Smart board, copies of world map, computers or iPads,
Google Earth, PowerPoint
http://www.kidsmaps.com/geography/The+World/Topographical/Politica
l+and+Physical+Worldmap
Approximate Time Needed: 1 hour
Prerequisite Skills: Knowledge of the cardinal directions
Procedures:
Show a world map on the Smart board in front of the class. Quiz
students by pointing to a continent and asking who can name
the continent. If no one can name it, tell them. Once the name
of the continent is revealed, write it on the continent. Next, quiz
the students on the oceans and write the names in the same way
as the continents. Review the names of all the continents and
oceans.
Next, go to Google Earth and show it on the Smart board.
Virtually fly around and have the class try to name each ocean
by identifying what continents surround it. You may need to flip
back to the world map for help.
Have students break into groups of four. Give each group a
printed out world map without anything labeled and a word bank
including the names of the continents and oceans. Students
should work collaboratively to label all of the continents and
oceans correctly. Check each groups answers before moving on
to the next step.
Assign each group to one computer or iPad and have them
create a PowerPoint presentation in which they will demonstrate
the oceans relative locations to each other. One student may
pick an ocean to start in and make a slide saying so. Then, the
next student may make a slide saying the ocean on the opposite

side of Africa isand the next slide would have the answer. The
next slide could say the ocean north of this one isand the next
slide would answer. This should continue so that all oceans are
mentioned.
If students finish early, they can go to Google Earth and
interactively follow the directions they made on the globe.

Accommodations: Students work in groups of four so that students with

different levels of ability can help each other and collaborate. Students
can also help their non-native peers who may need assistance. In
addition, there are activities planned in case some students work more
quickly than others.
Assessment and Evaluation: PowerPoints made by students will be
evaluated using a rubric. Each student will receive a separate grade
because a portion of the evaluation is based on participation within the
group, but the whole group will receive the same amount of points for
the PowerPoint.

Following
Directions

Naming
Oceans
and
Continent
s

Giving
Directions

1 point

2 points

Include
d only
one
oceans
Correctl
y
named
1
contine
nt
and/or
ocean
No
given
directio
ns are
correct

Included
only two
oceans
Correctly
named a
2-4
continent
s and
oceans
1 given
direction
is correct

3 points

4 points

5 points

Included Included Included

only
only four
all five
three
oceans
oceans
oceans
Correctly Correctly Correctly
named
named
named
5-8
9-11
all
continent continent continent
s and
s and all s and
oceans
oceans
oceans
2 given
direction
s are
correct

3 given
direction
s are
correct

All 4
given
direction
s are
correct

Points
Award
ed

Appearan
ce

Participati
on

Does
Shows
not
some
show
organizati
sufficien
on and
t effort
effort

Organize
d and
shows
sufficient
effort

Neat,
organize
d, and
shows
effort

Did not
contribu
te to
the
group

Helped
with s
few tasks
or
contribut
ed one
idea

Helped
with
some
tasks or
contribut
ed ideas

Helped
with one
task

Creative,
neat,
organize
d, and
shows
effort
Contribut
ed ideas
and
helped
with
many
tasks