Countries of the World
Equipment list
A laminated map of a continent with names of countries and numbers (see the attachment).
Laminated pupils’ sheets for each team with maps of continents with number (but not names) and the possibility to write on the back.
One laminated answer-key with a map of the continent, name, number and answer-key on the back for the teacher, or one for each team.
Whiteboard markers.
Explanation
Pupils form teams of 2 to 4. They can write the names of the countries they know before they start, and then run one by one to an A3 sheet showing a continent with the countries and reference numbers. They can stay there 15 seconds before running back and writing the names of the countries they remember at the back of the pupil’s sheet. The next pupil runs. After a while, the teacher checks how far they have come and decides when there are 5 minutes left. The teams get together around the teacher who reads from the answer-key. One point for a correct answer. The teams may also get an answer-key each and correct each other.
Variation/progression
As an extra, the pupils can remove what they had written and re-write – without any support. The pupils can run to a box and pick up a country and then get the laminated A3 sheet and find where the land is before running back and writing the country in the right spot. Every group needs its own box. If the pupil manages to throw a ball in a basket (or a snowball on a tree), he or she can pick two countries instead of one.
Participants’ feedback on activity
Pupils think it is a nice activity and they see the benefit of knowing the countries. I have personally tested this activity only at lower secondary level (8th to 10th grade).
Downloads
ASK ID 2024-02-28-018-E