Get ready to see the whole world from the comfort of your couch! I am thrilled to introduce you to The Seven Continents Family Unit Study where you will learn about the continents through hands-on FUN!
Did you know that the continents used to be all together in a supercontinent known as Pangaea? Or that while there are five oceans on Earth, they are all connected and are really one large mass of water? How about that while 90% of the world’s ice is found in Antarctica, it is the driest continent in the world and meets the criteria for being a desert!
And that is just the tip of the iceberg! Get ready to learn all about our seven continents.
What is a Family Unit Study?
But first… what exactly is a Family Unit Study?
This unit study, like all of our ever-growing library of unit studies, takes one big topic—the Seven Continents—and breaks it down into ten manageable, bite-sized learning topics. This format gives you the freedom to dive into learning at a pace that works for your family.
Perhaps you do one area per day, perhaps one per week. Whatever suits your fancy! You can learn and explore from start to finish in about one hour per bite-sized learning topic.
Each of the ten topics included with a unit study contains everything you need for that topic, including:
- a curated YouTube video,
- suggested information to read,
- a “what’s happening” section,
- an interesting fact,
- a discussion question,
- literacy and math extension questions,
- and an ultimate-can’t-be-beat hands-on activity!
Dive in and watch the sparks of wonder ignite. Watch the child-led learning take off. Watch what happens when children are engaged in what they are learning!
Get a FREE Family Unit Study Sample
Want to see what our unit studies are like? You can download a sample from the Stars and Constellations Family Unit Study right here:
Learn About the Continents
Here are some of the hands-on learning activities you and your little ones will be enjoying in this unit study all about the seven continents:
Topic One: Pangaea
While no one can know for sure, a lot of research and science supports the idea that hundreds of millions of years ago, Earth did not have seven continents. Instead, it was one huge supercontinent called Pangaea. This massive supercontinent was surrounded by one single ocean called Panthalassa.
Hands-on Activity: The hands-on activity we use to support learning this big topic is all about plate tectonics. Using towels is a wonderful way to show children plate tectonics in action!
Topic Two: The Seven Continents
Currently, most people recognize Earth as being divided into seven continents: Asia, Africa, North America, South America, Antarctica, Europe, and Australia. Each continent has some similarities to one another, as well as unique features. In this section, we learn about the continents with an overview of each.
Hands-on Activity: Make a seven continents puzzle! The handy printable in this unit study is used to help children understand how all of the continents fit together and where they are located in the world.
Topic Three: Mapping
Our Earth is a huge place! When we are talking about locations or measurements of continents and countries, we often refer to their latitudinal and longitudinal positions. Lines of longitude run north to south, and lines of latitude run east to west. If you have ever played a game of Battleship, you already know how to read a map!
Hands-on Activity: We use salt dough to create the seven continents and determine where they are located on the lines of latitude and longitude!
Topic Four: Asia
In the continent of Asia, there are more than 2,000 languages spoken. The official standard language of China and Taiwan—and the most popular language in the entire content of Asia—is Mandarin.
Hands-on Activity: Write a Mandarin message! For the hands-on activity in this topic of our Seven Continents unit study, we use some Mandarin symbols and create our very own notes and messages.
Topic Five: Africa
Africa is a continent with lots of amazing animals! If you live in North America, the only time you will see many of these animals is in a zoo or through a screen. Learning about these unique animals is incredible!
Hands-on Activity: After some research on all of the amazing animals that can be found on the continent of Africa, it is time to play Animal Pictionary to consolidate that learning!
Topic Six: North America
North America, like most continents, is exceptionally varied in its climate. Some areas of North America never get snow, while other areas are almost always covered in snow!
Hands-on Activity: Make a Niagara Falls waterwheel! Use a paper cup, paper plate, and pencil to create your very own water wheel.
Topic Seven: South America
South America is known for many things, one of which is the Amazon Rainforest. This rainforest is the largest in the entire world and is home to millions of unique species of plants, trees, and animals.
Hands-on Activity: Make your very own rainforest terrarium! All you need is a glass jar, some small rocks, soil, and some tropical plants!
Topic Eight: Antarctica
Antarctica is located at the South Pole and is an ice- and snow-covered place. While many scientists and travelers visit Antarctica, no one lives there permanently.
Hands-on Activity: Make a penguin suncatcher! Using your penguin printable from the unit study or sketching a penguin silhouette, you will then add blue tissue paper to make an adorable penguin suncatcher to remind you of learning about Antarctica.
Topic Nine: Europe
Europe is a continent that is home to many amazing buildings and landmarks. The beautiful architecture of Europe is noted worldwide.
Hands-on Activity: Use marshmallows and toothpicks to recreate the amazing buildings found in Europe! Images and printables are included in your unit study to help with your creations.
Topic Ten: Australia
Australia is the only continent that is made up of only one country. Can you guess what that country’s name is? Yep, Australia! Australia is another continent that has some amazing and unique animals, as well as musical instruments.
Hands-on Activity: Using a cardboard tube and a balloon, you can make your very own didgeridoo!
And there you have it, the 10 bite-sized learning topics that make up our great big Seven Continents Unit Study! I hope you will pop on over to check it out and consider purchasing it for you and yours.
The Seven Continents Family Unit Study
https://shop.tstest18.techsurgeons.com/products/family-unit-study-the-seven-continents
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Thank you so much for reading, sweet friend!
xo
Sarah
