The Globe Game

Purpose: As a result of this activity, students will be able to identify the continents, oceans, and major

mountain ranges around the world.

Related

Standard &

Benchmarks:

Geography

Standard 2. Knows the location of places, geographic features, and patterns of the

environment

Level II [Grade 3-5]

Benchmark 3. Knows the approximate location of major continents,

mountain ranges, and bodies of water on Earth

Student

Product:

game of naming places on a globe

Material &

Resources:

1 large (about 12" diameter) ball drawn with markers to outline significant features of the

earth, but no labels that would identify these continents, mountain ranges, and bodies of

water.

Teacher's Note: This game can be used to introduce place names or reinforce a previous place name lesson.

The "easy" version of the game would allow students to consult an atlas before passing the

ball, a "difficult" version of the game would require students to recall the place name from

memory. Note: The instructor may have the students sit in a circle on the floor if he/she feels

that having students sit on their desks is potentially dangerous.

Activity

Students will begin the game by sitting on the floor in a circle. The teacher will make the first toss of the game by

calling out a student’s name and tossing the "globe" ball to that student. Once the student catches the ball, the

student must identify the continent, mountain range, or body of water under his or her right thumb. The teacher or

fellow classmates can confirm if the student is correct. If the student is right, he or she can toss the "globe" to

another student and stay in the game. If the student is not correct, he or she must pass the globe to the nearest

person and leave the circle. The student can no longer pass or catch the "globe"; however, the student can still

participate by confirming other players’ place name identifications. The game continues until all but one student

remains. *Be sure that students call out the name of the classmate to whom they are tossing the ball; it helps

keep the game moving smoothly. PLACE NAMES THAT CAN BE IDENTIFIED ON THE "GLOBE": Continents: North

America South America Africa Europe Asia Australia Antartica Bodies of water: Atlantic Ocean Pacific Ocean Arctic

Ocean Indian Ocean Gulf of Mexico Mediterranean Sea Red Sea Mountain Ranges: Rocky Mountains Andes

Mountains Appalachian Mountains Alps Ural Mountains Himalayas.