teaching kids the 7 continents using total physical response & music

Remember that song we used to sing in Children’s Church as kids?

He’s got the whole world in His hands,
He’s got the whole world in His hands,
He’s got the whole world in His hands,
He’s got the whole world in His hands!

Such a simple song with such a powerful meaning….God is in control.  Not me.

For a few years now, we have been using that simple kid’s song as the tune to our 7 continents poem, “I’ve Got The Whole World On My Body.”  The kids adore this song.  It’s a perfect Total Physical Response activity and in just a couple of short singings the kids can name all 7 continents {on their bodies, of course!}

We sing the 7 continents song during our Cinderella Around the World Unit in 3 different ways to keep the song fresh and because I just can’t pick a favorite way!

the 7 continents On Our Body

First, we sing the song by tapping the beat on each part of our body:

Africa >>> Head

North America >>> Shoulders

South America >>> Hips

Europe >>> Left Hand

Asia >>> Right Hand

Australia >>> Knees

Antarctica >>> Feet

With A Partner

The second way we sing the 7 continents song is with a partner.  Each kid faces a partner and they tap each other for each continent…

Head to head for Africa…

Foot to foot for Antarctica….

And so forth!  This version always includes lots of giggles! 🙂

Travel the Room

The last way we practice the song is traveling the room.  Since I have the continents hanging above our group tables in our room, we “travel around the world” and go to each continent table as we sing! Along with the Continental Drift, it’s one of their favorite brain breaks for this Cinderella Around the World Unit!

Once we are continental pros, we add the poem to our poetry folder.  

We highlighted the continent names in each stanza and they illustrated the continents to match our class’ world map.

You can find this poem and song in my Cinderella Around the World Unit.  I also love to use this song during our Me on the Map Unit!