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      The UK and its surrounding seas

      Lesson details

      Learning outcome

      I can locate the UK on a globe and world map and annotate a map with key information.

      Key learning points

      1. The United Kingdom, called the UK for short, is a country that is part of the continent of Europe.
      2. The UK consists of a large island, part of another island and many smaller islands.
      3. The UK is separated from Europe by the North Sea and English Channel, and from Ireland by the Irish Sea.

      Keywords

      • Country - A country is an area of land that has its own government and can be large or small.

      • Island - An island is a piece of land, smaller than a continent, that is surrounded by water.

      • Coastline - A coastline is the boundary between the land and the sea or ocean.

      • English Channel - The English Channel is a narrow part of the Atlantic Ocean that separates the south coast of England from France.

      Common misconception

      The Republic of Ireland is part of the United Kingdom.

      The Republic of Ireland is part of Europe.

      Teacher tip

      You can add a slide after slide 12 showing your local area.

      Licence

      This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2026), 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.
      What is an island?

      It is the same as a continent.
      It is a piece of land joined to other pieces of land.
      Correct answer: It is a piece of land that is surrounded by water.
      Correct answer: It is a piece of land that is smaller than a continent.

      Q2.
      Which of these statements correctly describe a country?

      It is a place where there are no people.
      Correct answer: It is an area of land that has its own government.
      Correct answer: It can be large or small.

      Q3.
      You can use a to find places in an area.

      Correct Answer: map, maps

      Q4.
      What would you use to help you read a map?

      a pencil
      a laptop
      a mirror
      Correct answer: a key

      Q5.
      What is an ocean?

      a lake
      Correct answer: a huge body of salt water
      a river

      Q6.
      What is a continent?

      Correct answer: a large piece of land containing many countries
      a country
      a city
      a town

      6 Questions

      Q1.
      What does the abbreviation 'the UK' stand for?

      Correct answer: the United Kingdom
      the United Kart
      the United Key
      the United Keystone

      Q2.
      What continent is the United Kingdom in?

      Africa
      Correct answer: Europe
      North America
      South America

      Q3.
      What is the name of the channel that is located to the south of England?

      The North Sea
      The Welsh Channel
      The Scottish Channel
      Correct answer: The English Channel

      Q4.
      What is the name of the sea that separates northern Europe from the United Kingdom?

      Correct answer: the North Sea
      the South Sea
      the East Sea
      the West Sea

      Q5.
      What is the name of the sea that lies in between Great Britain and Ireland?

      the Scottish Sea
      the English Channel
      the English Sea
      Correct answer: the Irish Sea

      Q6.
      What is a coastline?

      A coastline is the border between England and Wales.
      A coastline is the border between the UK and Europe.
      A coastline is the boundary between a river and the sea.
      Correct answer: A coastline is the boundary between land and the sea.

      To help you plan your 2 geography lesson on: The UK and its surrounding seas, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...