Researching the Continents

I really felt that my students would benefit from doing a research project on the continents. Many of them had no idea where the continents were in relation to the oceans and other continents. I also thought that it was important to know at least three countries on each continent. I put students into groups and assigned each group a different continent. Each student was given an outline map of their continent and a research study sheet to record their data. The research sheet listed the things they should be looking for such as: Oceans and other continents near by, animals, countries, landmarks, and landforms. Students used the Internet, maps and books to do their research. When their research sheet was completed they were given a large piece of construction paper cut into the shape of their continent. They decorated their continent with photos and facts from their research. Finally, each student was required to write two sentences about their continent and present their poster as a group to the rest of the class. They were so excited about what they had learned that many students wrote much more than two sentences. Many students were surprised to learn that certain countries they had heard of were on their continent. Best of all they did a great job presenting their posters and discussing their continents with the rest of the class.