🌍 Social StudiesLevel 1Lesson 21
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Maps and Globes

Lesson preview: the Mini Lesson and Vocabulary are open to everyone. Guided practice, exercises, the parent checklist and the printable PDF worksheet come with full access (free 7-day trial or membership).

Learning Objectives

  • 1Explain the difference between a map and a globe
  • 2Name the seven continents
  • 3Locate them on a globe diagram
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Mini Lesson

To find out where countries are in the world, we use two amazing tools — maps and globes. Both show the same Earth, but in different ways!

What is a map?

  • A map is a flat drawing that shows the Earth or part of it from above.
  • Maps can show the whole world on one flat page — but because the Earth is round, maps stretch some areas to fit the flat surface.
  • Example: A world map shows all seven continents and all four oceans at once on a flat sheet.

What is a globe?

  • A globe is a round, three-dimensional model of the Earth — it is shaped just like our planet.
  • A globe shows the true shape and size of continents and oceans more accurately than a flat map.
  • You can spin a globe to see any part of the world.

The seven continents

  • The Earth's land is divided into seven large areas called continents.
  • North America — home of the USA, Canada, and Mexico.
  • South America — home of Brazil, Argentina, and more.
  • Europe — home of France, Germany, Italy, and others.
  • Africa — the second-largest continent; home of many diverse nations.
  • Asia — the largest continent; home of China, India, Japan, and more.
  • Australia — also called Oceania; the smallest continent.
  • Antarctica — the icy continent at the South Pole.
Map versus globe comparisonTwo side-by-side illustrations: on the left a flat rectangular world map with green continent shapes, on the right a round globe with the same green shapesMapFlat surfaceEasy to carryStretches shapesGlobeRound shapeTrue to real EarthCan be spun
Side-by-side comparison — a flat world map (left) versus a round globe on a stand (right), with key differences listed below each
The seven continents listed with their location descriptionsA numbered list of the seven continents with a color-coded badge and a brief location note for eachThe 7 Continents1North AmericaUSA, Canada, Mexico2South AmericaBrazil, Argentina3EuropeFrance, Germany, Italy4AfricaNigeria, Kenya, Egypt5AsiaChina, India, Japan6AustraliaSmallest continent7AntarcticaIce at the South PoleThere are 7 continents on Earth!
A numbered list of all seven continents with color-coded badges and one example country or fact for each
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Ask yourself: "Which continent do I live on? Can I name one other continent and a country that is found there?

Vocabulary
Map
A flat drawing that shows the Earth or part of it from abovee.g. I look at a world map.
Globe
A round model of the Earthe.g. The globe spins on its stand.
Continent
One of seven very large areas of land on Earthe.g. Africa is a continent.
Earth
The planet we live one.g. The Earth is round.
World
All the lands and oceans on Earthe.g. The world has seven continents.
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