The seven continents and five oceans
7 continents and 5 oceans, each in order of size, largest first. This is the seven-continent model taught in American schools; some countries teach six (joining Europe and Asia, or North and South America) or five. NOAA names five oceans, all parts of one connected global ocean; the Southern Ocean, around Antarctica, is the newest to be named.
The continents and oceans are the first map most children learn: the big pieces of land and the big bodies of water. Knowing them in order of size gives a sense of scale, and every later map lesson builds on it.
Twelve names is two small chunks: seven continents and five oceans. Learn each in order of size, biggest first, with a first-letter sentence: All Animals Need Some Antarctic Exercise Always, for Asia, Africa, North America, South America, Antarctica, Europe, Australia; and Polar Animals Imagine Snowy Adventures, for Pacific, Atlantic, Indian, Southern, Arctic. Then point to each one on a globe or a map as you say it: picture plus words. Recall with the map covered, and come back on day 1, 3, 7 and 21.
Encode make it vivid → Space bring it back on day 1, 3, 7, 21 → Retrieve pull it from your head. From the infographic Remember It on Purpose.
The seven continents and five oceans
| Continent or ocean | Size rank | Name |
|---|---|---|
| Continent | 1st (largest) | Asia |
| Continent | 2nd | Africa |
| Continent | 3rd | North America |
| Continent | 4th | South America |
| Continent | 5th | Antarctica |
| Continent | 6th | Europe |
| Continent | 7th (smallest) | Australia |
| Ocean | 1st (largest) | Pacific Ocean |
| Ocean | 2nd | Atlantic Ocean |
| Ocean | 3rd | Indian Ocean |
| Ocean | 4th | Southern Ocean |
| Ocean | 5th (smallest) | Arctic Ocean |
Twelve names is two small chunks: seven continents and five oceans. Learn each in order of size, biggest first, with a first-letter sentence: All Animals Need Some Antarctic Exercise Always, for Asia, Africa, North America, South America, Antarctica, Europe, Australia; and Polar Animals Imagine Snowy Adventures, for Pacific, Atlantic, Indian, Southern, Arctic. Then point to each one on a globe or a map as you say it: picture plus words. Recall with the map covered, and come back on day 1, 3, 7 and 21. · teddyrookbook.com/memory/challenges/continents-and-oceans/
Sources
- NOAA National Ocean Service: How many oceans are there?
- NOAA JetStream: The Ocean (the sizes of the major oceans)
- Grokipedia: Continent (areas and the different continent models)
- National Geographic Education: Continent
Checked October 31, 2026. Progress is kept on this device only (per learner). More lists: all memory challenges · memory games.