We concretely explored each continent through the Montessori culture activities and puzzles, and other supporting materials to ensure understanding. Children can successfully name each continent, and some can identify them accurately on a map and globe. We also learned about what animals we can find on each continent! Of course, as we go along in the school year, we make references to units we learned about since the beginning of our school year. For example, we review of our land, air and water unit by connecting the continents to land, the water to the oceans of the World and air all is all around us. We do this during outside play and on walks also. It is the same way when we learned about trees in the Fall. Each opportunity we get to allow the children to touch and point to the parts of the tree reinforces lessons learned in the classroom. That is the beautiful thing about Montessori. We believe in real experiences and using nature to learn whenever possible. There is so much opportunity around us to encourage and review everything we learn and relate it to the real World – we just need to be aware and put effort into making such connections with our children. 

By the end of the continents and Canada units, children understand that we live in Ontario, a province in Canada, which is a country in North America! Through further analyzing maps, discussions and fun songs about Canada, North America and the World, Children receive a strong foundation in understanding that we are just a small part of this big world around us.