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      Earth view: using globes and satellite images

      Lesson details

      Learning outcome

      I can use globes, satellite images and geographical vocabulary to describe Earth.

      Key learning points

      1. The round Earth is covered with water and land, and above that is the atmosphere.
      2. We use models, called globes, and photographs taken from space to think about what the world is like.
      3. Most of the surface of the world (over 70%) is covered with water, which is why Earth is known as the Blue Planet.
      4. The colours on a globe or satellite image give us information, such as whether it’s land or ocean.

      Keywords

      • Ocean - An ocean is a very big area of salt water between the continents.

      • Land - Land is any part of Earth's surface that is not covered by water.

      • Atmosphere - The atmosphere is the layer of gases that surrounds Earth. It includes the oxygen we need to breathe, so it is essential for life on Earth.

      • Planet - A planet is a large round object that travels around a star in space.

      • Satellite - A satellite is an object in space that orbits or circles around a bigger object in space. These an be natural like the moon or artificial ones like the International Space Station.

      Common misconception

      Earth is flat and shaped like a circle.

      Earth is round and shaped like a sphere. It is 3D and not flat. Relate this to globes.

      Teacher tip

      When zooming into the satellite image, you can replace the local view with one of your own local area to make it more meaningful and personal to pupils.

      Equipment

      Globes, I-Pads or a satalitle map on the computer.

      Licence

      This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0
      except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions
      (Collection 2).

      Lesson video

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      Prior knowledge starter quiz

      6 Questions

      Q1.
      The planet we live on is called...

      Venus
      Mars
      Correct answer: Earth

      Q2.
      The conditions on Earth are just right to support...

      Correct answer: all life.
      no life.
      just humans.

      Q3.
      Earth's surface is covered with ...

      Correct Answer: land and water, land and oceans, land and water (called oceans)

      Q4.
      What colour is water shown as on a globe?

      green
      yellow
      Correct answer: blue

      Q5.
      What colour is land represented as on a globe?

      Correct answer: green
      blue
      purple
      pink

      Q6.
      What shape is planet earth?

      cube
      Correct answer: sphere
      triangle

      6 Questions

      Q1.
      This is a view of Earth from a ...

      An image in a quiz
      photograph
      spaceship
      Correct answer: satellite
      painting

      Q2.
      What is the invisible layer of gases surrounding earth called?

      Correct answer: atmosphere
      space
      air

      Q3.
      How much of the Earth's surface is covered with water?

      1/4
      1/2
      Correct answer: 3/4

      Q4.
      What can we use to think about what Earth looks like?

      maps of our local area
      Correct answer: models called globes
      Correct answer: photographs from satellites
      postcards

      Q5.
      Which colours represent land and oceans on a satellite image?

      Correct Answer:land,green

      green

      Correct Answer:oceans,blue

      blue

      Correct Answer:ice,white

      white

      Q6.
      Zooming into satellite images gives you...

      a global view
      Correct answer: a local view
      Correct answer: a country view

      To help you plan your 1 geography lesson on: Earth view: using globes and satellite images, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...