Geography – Continents & Oceans

This material is part of the Montessori geography curriculum for the elementary level. In the primary level, children begin with the concrete presentation of constructed land and water forms, depicting in concrete form the concept of land and water. This concept is followed by a relationship between a continent and an ocean; later, the children learn the names of the continents and the oceans. Thus the children progress from the concrete representation of land and water to the abstract names of continents and oceans on a map. The passage from a three dimensional representation of the continents and oceans to a two-dimensional representation can be achieved through the use of nomenclature cards. At this age, geography must be given in a scientifically accurate way, adapted to the age of the child. Continents and Oceans consists of 14 sets of three-part nomenclature cards that contain a description, a label, and a picture card for matching purposes. There are two wallcharts representing all the parts together. The two booklets serve as control for error for the nomenclature matching work.