Lesson Plan
Continents & Oceans Lesson Plan
Students will identify and describe key facts about the seven continents and five oceans, complete scaffolded notes, and demonstrate understanding through guided and independent activities.
Building geographic literacy in ninth graders enhances spatial reasoning, global awareness, and foundational skills for history, science, and critical thinking.
Audience
9th Grade (High School Students)
Time
90 minutes
Approach
Interactive maps, scaffolded notes, and formative checks.
Materials
Continent & Ocean Reference Map, Interactive Map Activity, Scaffolded Note-Taking Template, Formative Check Quiz, Student Reflection Sheet, Index Cards, and Pencils & Highlighters
Prep
Prepare Materials & Review Content
15 minutes
- Print or project the Continent & Ocean Reference Map.
- Print copies of the Scaffolded Note-Taking Template.
- Load the Interactive Map Activity on classroom device.
- Review key facts for each continent and ocean; note potential misconceptions.
- Preview the Formative Check Quiz and answer key.
- Organize index cards and highlighters; prepare any enlarged-font or audio supports for accommodations.
Step 1
Introduction & Pre-Assessment
5 minutes
- Display the Continent & Ocean Reference Map.
- Share the session objective with the student.
- Ask the student to name as many continents and oceans as they can; record responses to gauge prior knowledge.
Step 2
Guided Map Exploration
20 minutes
- Launch the Interactive Map Activity.
- Prompt the student to locate and label each continent and ocean on the digital map.
- Use think-aloud strategies to model geographic reasoning.
- Provide targeted hints or prompts if the student struggles.
Step 3
Scaffolded Note-Taking
20 minutes
- Distribute the Scaffolded Note-Taking Template.
- Instruct the student to fill in: location, relative size, major features for each continent and ocean.
- Offer sentence starters and one-on-one support for vocabulary or organization.
Step 4
Formative Check
10 minutes
- Hand out the Formative Check Quiz.
- Allow the student to complete independently, identifying any remaining gaps.
- Immediately review answers; clarify misconceptions and reinforce correct concepts.
Step 5
Independent Fact Card Creation
20 minutes
- Provide index cards and highlighters.
- Ask the student to write one key fact about each continent or ocean on separate cards.
- Encourage color-coding by category (e.g., population, climate, landforms).
- Circulate to offer feedback and scaffold phrasing as needed.
Step 6
Reflection & Closure
10 minutes
- Give the Student Reflection Sheet.
- Have the student reflect on what they learned, what was challenging, and areas they feel confident.
- Discuss their responses and outline next steps for reinforcement.
Step 7
Accommodations & Extensions
5 minutes
- Offer an extension: independent research on one continent using an online atlas.
- Provide audio recordings of key continent/ocean facts for auditory learners.
- For ELL or learning-disabled students, review vocabulary with a picture-word bank and provide enlarged-font sheets.
Slide Deck
World Explorer: Continents & Oceans
Tier 3 Individual Lesson • 90 minutes • 9th Grade
Welcome the student and introduce yourself as their guide for today’s journey around the globe. Emphasize this is a one-on-one session where they can ask questions at any time.
Learning Objectives
• Identify all seven continents and five oceans by name and location
• Describe one key fact for each continent and ocean
• Complete scaffolded notes to organize geographic information
• Reflect on learning and next steps
Read through the objectives out loud. Ask the student to paraphrase each one to check understanding.
Introduction & Pre-Assessment
- Open the Continent & Ocean Reference Map.
- Ask: “Name as many continents and oceans as you can.”
- Note responses to gauge prior knowledge.
Display the reference map and ask the student to point out continents and oceans they already know. Record responses on an index card.
Guided Map Exploration
- Launch the Interactive Map Activity.
- Have the student locate and label each continent and ocean.
- Provide hints and ask reasoning questions.
Guide the student through the interactive map. Model how to hover, click, and label. Use think-aloud (“I notice Asia spans the Eastern and Northern Hemispheres…”).
Scaffolded Note-Taking
• Distribute the Scaffolded Note-Taking Template.
• Fill in for each continent/ocean:
– Location
– Relative size
– Major features
Hand out the note-taking template. Encourage the student to use sentence starters like “_____ is located in…”, “Its major features include….”
Formative Check
- Complete the Formative Check Quiz independently.
- Review answers immediately; clarify any misconceptions.
Observe quietly as the student completes the quiz. If they pause, prompt with “What do you remember about Africa’s size compared to South America?”
Independent Fact Card Creation
• Provide index cards and highlighters.
• Write one key fact per continent/ocean on separate cards.
• Color-code by category.
Circulate and support card creation. Encourage color-coding by category: climate (blue), population (green), landforms (orange), etc.
Reflection & Closure
- Hand out the Student Reflection Sheet.
- Reflect on what was learned, challenges, and confidence areas.
Use guided questioning: “Which part of today’s lesson was most challenging?” “How will you use these fact cards in the future?”
Accommodations & Extensions
• Extension: Research one continent using an online atlas.
• Audio recordings of key facts for auditory learners.
• Picture-word bank and enlarged fonts for ELL/learning-disabled students.
Review accommodations: show the picture-word bank for ELLs or play the audio recording for auditory learners.
Next Steps & Resources
• Review fact cards daily.
• Explore: National Geographic Atlas, Google Earth.
• Prepare one question about your favorite continent for next time.
Encourage the student to review their fact cards before the next session. Provide links to free online atlases and globe-viewer tools.
Worksheet
Interactive Map Activity
Use the digital world map to complete the following. Label all continents and oceans, then answer the questions.
Part A: Label the Continents
Use the interactive map to locate and label each continent. Write the continent name on the line.
- ___________________________
- ___________________________
- ___________________________
- ___________________________
- ___________________________
- ___________________________
- ___________________________
Part B: Label the Oceans
Label the five oceans on the map. Write each ocean name below.
- ___________________________
- ___________________________
- ___________________________
- ___________________________
- ___________________________
Part C: Hemisphere & Position
Answer the following using the map.
- In which hemispheres (Northern, Southern, Eastern, Western) does Africa lie? Explain.
- Which continent spans both the Northern and Eastern Hemispheres? Explain how you know.
- Which ocean is located between South America and Africa? Describe its approximate size relative to the other oceans.
Part D: Analytical Questions
- Which continent covers the largest land area? Provide one key fact to support your answer.
- Which ocean is the deepest? What is one unique characteristic of this ocean? Provide details from the interactive map.
If you need a static reference, review the Continent & Ocean Reference Map to confirm locations and relative sizes.
Worksheet
Scaffolded Note-Taking Template
Use this template to record key information about each continent and ocean. For each item, fill in its location, relative size, and major features.
Continents
1. Africa
Location:
Relative Size:
Major Features:
2. Antarctica
Location:
Relative Size:
Major Features:
3. Asia
Location:
Relative Size:
Major Features:
4. Europe
Location:
Relative Size:
Major Features:
5. North America
Location:
Relative Size:
Major Features:
6. South America
Location:
Relative Size:
Major Features:
7. Australia (Oceania)
Location:
Relative Size:
Major Features:
Oceans
1. Pacific Ocean
Location:
Relative Size:
Major Features:
2. Atlantic Ocean
Location:
Relative Size:
Major Features:
3. Indian Ocean
Location:
Relative Size:
Major Features:
4. Southern (Antarctic) Ocean
Location:
Relative Size:
Major Features:
5. Arctic Ocean
Location:
Relative Size:
Major Features:
After completing your notes, use your fact cards to review and quiz yourself on these key details.
Quiz
Formative Check Quiz
Worksheet
Student Reflection Sheet
Confidence Rating
Rate your confidence on naming all seven continents and five oceans (circle one):
1 (Not confident) 1___ 2___ 3___ 4___ 5___ (Very confident)
Reflection Prompts
- What is one new thing you learned today?
- What was the most challenging part of today’s lesson? How did you address it or what support would help?
- Which continent or ocean are you most confident about? Explain why.
- How will you use your independent fact cards to review and study for future lessons?
- What questions do you still have, or what would you like to explore next about continents and oceans?
Thank you for reflecting on your learning. Your responses will help guide our next session!