Exploring Our World: Local and Global Connections · 2nd Year · Planet Earth and Beyond · Summer Term

Earth: The Blue Planet

Using globes and world maps to identify the distribution of land and water on Earth.

• NCCA Curriculum Specifications
• NCCA: Primary - Planet Earth in space
• NCCA: Primary - Maps, globes and graphical skills

About This Topic

The Blue Planet introduces students to the Earth as a whole. In the NCCA Geography curriculum, this topic uses globes and world maps to help students understand the distribution of land and water. They learn that the Earth is mostly covered by oceans, which is why it looks blue from space. Students identify the seven continents and five oceans, beginning to build a mental map of the world.

This topic also explores the difference between a globe (a 3D model) and a map (a 2D representation). Students learn that while maps are easier to carry, globes are more accurate shapes of our planet. This foundational knowledge is essential for understanding global connections and our place in the universe. This topic particularly benefits from hands-on exploration where students can 'travel' across a globe and use physical models to understand the Earth's scale.

Key Questions

1. Explain why Earth is often called the Blue Planet.
2. Differentiate between a continent and a country.
3. Compare how a globe represents the Earth better than a flat map.

Learning Objectives

• Identify the locations of continents and oceans on a globe and world map.
• Compare the visual representation of Earth's land and water distribution on a globe versus a flat map.
• Explain why Earth is commonly referred to as the 'Blue Planet' by referencing the proportion of water coverage.
• Differentiate between the definitions and scales of a continent and a country.

Before You Start

Introduction to Maps and Symbols

Why: Students need basic familiarity with map elements like land, water, and symbols before comparing representations.

Shapes and Sizes

Why: Understanding basic geometric shapes and relative size comparisons is necessary to differentiate between a globe and a flat map representation.

Key Vocabulary

Continent	A large, continuous mass of land on Earth's surface. There are seven continents: Asia, Africa, North America, South America, Antarctica, Europe, and Australia.
Ocean	A very large expanse of sea, in particular, each of the main areas into which the sea is divided geographically. The five major oceans are the Pacific, Atlantic, Indian, Southern (Antarctic), and Arctic.
Globe	A spherical model of the Earth, showing its landmasses and bodies of water. It accurately represents the Earth's shape and the relative sizes and distances of continents and oceans.
World Map	A flat, two-dimensional representation of the Earth's surface, which can distort the true shapes, sizes, and distances of landmasses and oceans.

Watch Out for These Misconceptions

Common Misconception

Thinking that the Earth is a perfect circle like a dinner plate.

What to Teach Instead

Use a globe to show it is a sphere (like a ball). The 'paper wrap' activity helps students understand that you can't make a flat map perfectly match a round Earth, which is a key concept in geography.

Common Misconception

Believing that there is more land than water on Earth.

What to Teach Instead

A 'water vs. land' tally using a globe toss game quickly shows that thumbs land on blue much more often than on land, proving that Earth is mostly water.

Active Learning Ideas

Simulation Game: Globe vs. Map

In small groups, students try to wrap a flat piece of paper around a ball without wrinkling it. They then discuss why maps have to be a little bit 'wrong' and why a globe is a better model of the Earth's shape.

30 min·Small Groups

Inquiry Circle: The Continent Hunt

Using an inflatable globe, students sit in a circle and toss the globe to each other. When they catch it, they must name the continent or ocean their right thumb is touching.

20 min·Whole Class

Gallery Walk: Earth from Space

Display satellite images of Earth. Students move in pairs to identify the 'blue' parts (water), 'green/brown' parts (land), and 'white' parts (clouds or ice), recording their findings on a simple tally sheet.

25 min·Pairs

Real-World Connections

• Cartographers use globes and maps to plan shipping routes, considering the vastness of oceans and the locations of continents to calculate distances and potential hazards.
• Geographers and urban planners use world maps to study population distribution and resource availability across continents, informing decisions about where to build new infrastructure or provide aid.

Assessment Ideas

Exit Ticket

Give students a blank world map outline. Ask them to label the seven continents and five oceans. On the back, have them write one sentence explaining why Earth is called the Blue Planet.

Quick Check

Display a globe and a flat world map side-by-side. Ask students to point to the largest continent on each and then explain one way the globe represents Earth more accurately than the map.

Discussion Prompt

Pose the question: 'If you were planning a trip to visit three different continents, how would you use a globe and a map to help you plan?' Encourage students to discuss the advantages of each tool for different planning stages.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is the Earth blue?

The Earth looks blue from space because about 70% of its surface is covered by water. The sunlight reflects off the oceans, giving our planet its famous 'Blue Marble' look.

How can active learning help students understand the globe?

Active learning, like the 'Globe Toss' or the 'Paper Wrap' experiment, makes the scale and shape of the Earth tangible. Instead of just looking at a map on a wall, students are physically interacting with a 3D model. This helps them internalize the spherical nature of the planet and the vastness of the oceans in a way that a 2D image cannot.

What is a continent?

A continent is one of the seven very large areas of land on Earth. They are: Africa, Antarctica, Asia, Australia, Europe, North America, and South America. Ireland is part of the continent of Europe.

Is the North Pole a continent?

No, the North Pole is actually just ice floating on the Arctic Ocean. The South Pole, however, is on a continent called Antarctica, which has land (and mountains!) under all that ice.