Academic Vocabulary Social Studies, 5-8 (adapted from Building Academic Vocabulary by Robert Marzano.) Provide a student-friendly description, explanation, or example of the term. 7 Continents of the World AFRICAN CONTINENT The 2nd largest continent and the second most-populous continent (after Asia) with just over 14% of the world population. It includes 53 individual countries. Students restate in their own words in writing. 2 nd largest continent & 2 nd in population located south of Europe & southwest of Asia (east of North and South America) Students construct a picture, symbol, or graphic representation of the term. Students discuss terms with one another-comparing pictures, descriptions and make additions revisions to notebook entries. NORTH AMERICAN CONTINENT 3rd largest continent, includes 23 countries & contains all the Caribbean and Central American countries, Canada, Mexico, the United States & Greenland. 3 rd largest continent that includes U.S., Canada, Mexico, Central America Atlantic Ocean to the east, Pacific to the west, Arctic Ocean to the north & Caribbean & Gulf of Mexico to south.
Located in the northern & western hemispheres, it's bordered in the north by the Arctic Ocean, in the east by the Atlantic Ocean, in the southeast by the Caribbean Sea and Gulf of Mexico, and in the west by the Pacific Ocean. SOUTH AMERICAN CONTINENT 4th largest continent, includes 12 independent countries and 3 major territories: the Falkland Islands, Galapagos Islands and French Guiana. It s located south of Central America (North American continent) 4 th largest continent with 12 countries located south of Central America
EUROPEAN CONTINENT 6th largest continent, includes 47 countries and assorted dependencies, islands and territories. (Not really a continent but part of the peninsula of Euroasia which includes all of Europe and Asia. However, it's still widely referred to as an individual continent.) Part of Eurasia --includes 47 countries (6 th largest in size) ASIAN CONTINENT Largest continent-- Asia covers about 30 percent of the world's landmass and includes 44 countries and assorted islands and/or dependencies. This continent includes the world's most populated countries-- China and India. 3 important political divisions are Middle East, Southeast Asia, & North Asia. Largest continent (44 countries) with most populated countries-- China & India
AUSTRALIAN CONTINENT The smallest continent-- Many geography experts now call the continent Australia/ Oceania. It includes Australia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, as well as the thousands of coral atolls and volcanic islands in the South Pacific Ocean. It s located in the South Pacific & nicknamed Down Under. Smallest continent located in the South Pacific (nicknamed Down Under ) ANTARCTICA Almost 98% solid ice--today it has active territorial claims submitted by Argentina, Antarctica is the coldest and windiest spot on Earth. Located in the area around the South Mostly an unpopulated continent of ice located in area around South Pole AUSTRALIA
Pole & largely unpopulated Engage students periodically in games and activities that help them add to their knowledge of the terms. Many examples can be found in chapter 4 of Building Academic Vocabulary by Robert Marzano.