Using maps to locate countries in North and South America
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can locate selected countries in North and South America on a map, identify lines of latitude and longitude, and start to appreciate the size of these continents.
Key learning points
- A continent is usually defined as a group of countries on a continuous landmass with associated islands.
- North and South America are huge continents, joined by central America.
- North and South America are huge and have a diverse range of environments; they are popular travel destinations.
- Paper and digital atlases and maps can be used to investigate the location of North and South America.
Keywords
Continent - A continent is a large landmass on Earth and there are seven: Africa, Antarctica, Asia, Europe, North America, South America, Oceania.
Location - A location is the particular position of something on Earth.
Equator - The Equator is an imaginary line encircling Earth at 0° latitude and is an equal distance from the North Pole and the South Pole.
Northern hemisphere - The northern hemisphere is the half of Earth located north of the Equator.
Southern hemisphere - The southern hemisphere is the half of Earth located south of the Equator.
Common misconception
North America is the same as USA.
Use maps to identify the different countries that make up the continent of North America.
Teacher tip
Digital mapping tools could be used to investigate the locations of different countries of North and South America.
Equipment
Atlases
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Which continent is the UK in?
Q2.The UK is in the hemisphere.
Q3.What is the name of the imaginary line that divides the Earth into the northern and southern hemispheres?
Q4.Which of these is not a continent?
Q5.Match the countries to their continents.
Q6.How many continents are there?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Which of these oceans would you cross to get to North America from the UK?
Q2.Which of these countries is not in South America?
Q3.Which of these countries is not in North America?
Q4.Order these countries from north to south.
Q5.What is the line of longitude at 0 degrees called?
Q6.Order the five major lines of latitude from north to south.
To help you plan your 5 geography lesson on: Using maps to locate countries in North and South America, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 5 geography lesson on: Using maps to locate countries in North and South America, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 2 geography lessons from the North and South America: how diverse are their places and landscapes? unit, dive into the full primary geography curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.