High School

The Geo Reader II

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Description: The Geo Reader booklet is designed to help students increase their geographic knowledge and awareness through (1) books and activities that convey geographic concepts, (2) resources that provide information on the teaching of geography, and (3) incentive items that tie into the geography theme. The booklet contains a description of each book listed and an accompanying activity. Although the primary purpose of the activity is to increase students’ geographic knowledge and awareness, the activity is also designed to enhance students’ enjoyment of the book and stimulate their interest in reading. All suggested activities have been classroom-tested, and all books listed were found in school or public libraries at the time of the booklet’s publication in 1993.

Grade level(s): Elementary, Middle, High School
Standards: GFL
Produced By: Jim Goodman, Linda Greeson, Jeanie Sisson

The Geo Reader

Click on the image above to download the lesson.

Description: The Geo Reader booklet is designed to help students increase their geographic knowledge and awareness through (1) books and activities that convey geographic concepts, (2) resources that provide information on the teaching of geography, and (3) incentive items that tie into the geography theme. The booklet contains a description of each book listed and an accompanying activity. Although the primary purpose of the activity is to increase students’ geographic knowledge and awareness, the activity is also designed to enhance students’ enjoyment of the book and stimulate their interest in reading. All suggested activities have been classroom-tested, and all books listed were found in school or public libraries at the time of the booklet’s publication in 1992.

Grade level(s): Elementary, Middle, High School
Standards: GFL
Produced By: Jim Goodman, Linda Greeson, Jeanie Sisson

Fundamentals of Geographic Thinking and Spatial Intelligence

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Description: This presentation includes examples of how geographic thinking and spatial reasoning are used to understand our world. Concepts of geographic thinking include spatial significance, patterns and trends, interrelationships, and an interdisciplinary approach to problem-solving. Geographic thinking and the five themes of geography (location, place, human-environment interaction, movement, region) can be used to answer the following questions.

  • What makes places and landscapes different from one another and why is this important?

  • How has the Earth been transformed by human action?

  • How and why do sustainability and vulnerability change from place to place and over time?

  • What is where? | Why is it there? | Why care?

Grade level(s): Elementary, Middle, High School
Standards: GFL
Produced By: J. Scott Greene, Ph.D.

Exploring Careers in Public Service

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Description: Through this lesson and associated exercises, students will research specific public service careers to explore the role they play in their communities and governments, the benefits of working in public service, and how to pursue these careers.

Grade level(s): Upper Elementary, Middle, High
Standards: OAS, GFL
Produced By: Grace Gierach

Investigating Pollution and Establishing Environmental Stewardship

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Description: Embedded within the Oklahoma Academic Standards for Social Studies is an opportunity to engage students in real-world problem solving. In this lesson, students will utilize this opportunity by applying the Geo-Inquiry process to investigate the impact of trash pollution on their campus or another selected site. In follow-up activities, students will explore the meaning of environmental stewardship through recycling practices and career exploration. Any part of this lesson can be adapted to best fit students’ needs and this activity includes cross-curricular opportunities which meet standards in English Language Arts, Mathematics, and Science.

Grade level(s): Middle, High
Standards: OAS, GFL
Produced By: Allison Taylor-Kniffen

Exploring Conservation Careers in Oklahoma

Click on the image above to download the lesson. This lesson will open in a Google Drive folder instead of a zipped file.

Description: In this lesson, students will explore conservation careers, particularly those available in Oklahoma. Students will identify potential careers of interest, research the education and experience requirements, and will learn how to compose a resumé and cover letter.

Grade level(s): Middle, High
Standards: OAS, GFL
Produced By: Teresa Potter

Using the Asia Giant Map to Understand Light Pollution

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Description: This lesson is designed to use the Giant Traveling Map of Asia to help students contextualize effects of light pollution in current events and upon migratory birds. These lesson materials are developed in support of OKAGE’s Geo-Inquiry project efforts.

Grade level(s): Elementary, Middle School, High School
Standards: OAS, GFL
Produced By: Grace Gierach

Half the Park is After Dark: Exploring Dark Sky Parks Around the World

Click on the image above to download the lesson. This lesson will open in a Google Drive folder instead of a zipped file.

Description: This lesson is designed as a template for a project focused on exploring dark sky parks in America and around the world. This lesson may be used to enrich instruction in a variety of subjects including Science, Mathematics, English Language Arts, and Social  Studies. The content presented in this lesson was selected as an illustrative example of how all subjects are used to understand a particular issue that impacts communities differently around the world and in Oklahoma.

Grade level(s): Elementary, Middle School, High School
Standards: OAS, GFL
Produced By: Tristan Lloyd

Designing and Siting a Pollinator Garden

Click on the image above to download the lesson. This lesson will open in a Google Drive folder instead of a zipped file.

Description: This lesson was created as a template to design and site a pollinator garden and provide examples of how a pollinator garden may be used to enrich instruction in a variety of subjects including Science, Mathematics, English Language Arts, and Social  Studies. The content presented in this lesson was selected as an illustrative example of  how all subjects are used to understand a particular issue which impacts communities  differently around the world and in Oklahoma. These lesson materials were developed  in support of OKAGE’s Geo-Inquiry project efforts.

Grade level(s): Elementary, Middle School, High School
Standards: OAS, GFL
Produced By: Tristan Lloyd

Oklahoma Social Studies Framework

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Description: With the adoption of the Oklahoma Academic Standards for Social Studies (OAS-SS) in the spring of 2019, it has been the priority of the Oklahoma State Department of Education (OSDE) to ensure all Oklahoma educators are provided with the opportunity to deeply understand the intent of the standards, while supporting educators with a vision and resources that promote effective implementation of the standards.

For this Framework, a writing team of experienced Oklahoma educators have analyzed the standards' learning objectives and have provided guidance for focus, instructional tasks, and resource recommendations. For each objective in the new OAS-SS, the OKSocial Studies Framework provides an Objective Analysis, which includes a brief summary of the objective. In addition, each objective provides examples of Teacher Actions and Student Actions, which incorporate the Social Studies Practices with Social Studies Content, as required by each objective. The Framework's Key Concepts and Common Misunderstandings provide additional guidance for student mastery of each objective. Included in this Framework, the writing team has also provided samples of Lesson Ideas and Inquiry-Based Tasks, accompanied by recommended primary and secondary instructional resources to support ambitious teaching and learning in the social studies classroom. Such recommendations are not intended as an exhaustive listing of instructional resources, but merely represent suggestions from reliable sources in the field of social studies education.

Grade level(s): Elementary, Middle School, High School
Standards: OAS
Produced By: Brenda Beymer-Chapman and the Social Studies Framework Writers

The Social Studies Framework Writers are Oklahoma educators who were selected from a large pool of applicants. The process for application and selection included criteria related to knowledge of the content and practices of the Oklahoma Academic Standards for Social Studies, as well as classroom experience, professional leadership, and curriculum development. The process of selecting the very best social studies educators contributed to an effective and dedicated group of educators reflecting a diverse range of experience and expertise.

National Geography and Oklahoma Academic Standards Connections - Physical Education

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Description: This resource is designed to show how Geography can be used to supplement instruction in Physical Education. This packet includes a selection of each applicable Oklahoma Academic Standard for Physical Education and its alignment to the relevant National Geography Standard(s). The goal of the National Geography Standards is to enable students to become geographically informed through knowledge and mastery of three things: (1) factual knowledge; (2) mental maps and tools; (3) and ways of thinking. Contact us at okage@ou.edu to receive free resources and for more ideas about how to use Geography in your classroom.

This packet includes standards from the following revision:
Physical Education (2023)

Grade level(s): Elementary, Middle School, High School
Standards: OAS, GFL
Produced By: Becca Palczynsky and Grace Gierach

National Geography and Oklahoma Academic Standards Connections - Health and Safety

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Description: This resource is designed to show how Geography can be used to supplement instruction in Health and Safety. This packet includes a selection of each applicable Oklahoma Academic Standard for Health and Safety and its alignment to the relevant National Geography Standard(s). The goal of the National Geography Standards is to enable students to become geographically informed through knowledge and mastery of three things: (1) factual knowledge; (2) mental maps and tools; (3) and ways of thinking. Contact us at okage@ou.edu to receive free resources and for more ideas about how to use Geography in your classroom.

This packet includes standards from the following revision:
Health and Safety (2023)

Grade level(s): Elementary, Middle School, High School
Standards: OAS, GFL
Produced By: Becca Palczynsky and Grace Gierach

National Geography and Oklahoma Academic Standards Connections - World Languages

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Description: This resource is designed to show how Geography can be used to supplement instruction in World Languages. This packet includes a selection of each applicable Oklahoma Academic Standard for World Languages and its alignment to the relevant National Geography Standard(s). The goal of the National Geography Standards is to enable students to become geographically informed through knowledge and mastery of three things: (1) factual knowledge; (2) mental maps and tools; (3) and ways of thinking. Contact us at okage@ou.edu to receive free resources and for more ideas about how to use Geography in your classroom.

This packet includes standards from the following revision:
World Languages (2021)

Grade level(s): Elementary, Middle School, High School
Standards: OAS, GFL
Produced By: Becca Palczynsky and Grace Gierach

National Geography and Oklahoma Academic Standards Connections - Personal Financial Literacy

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Description: This resource is designed to show how Geography can be used to supplement instruction in Personal Financial Literacy. This packet includes a selection of each applicable Oklahoma Academic Standard for Personal Financial Literacy and its alignment to the relevant National Geography Standard(s). The goal of the National Geography Standards is to enable students to become geographically informed through knowledge and mastery of three things: (1) factual knowledge; (2) mental maps and tools; (3) and ways of thinking. Contact us at okage@ou.edu to receive free resources and for more ideas about how to use Geography in your classroom.

This packet includes standards from the following revision:
Personal Financial Literacy (2019)

Grade level(s): Elementary, Middle School, High School
Standards: OAS, GFL
Produced By: Becca Palczynsky and Grace Gierach

National Geography and Oklahoma Academic Standards Connections - Fine Arts

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Description: This resource is designed to show how Geography can be used to supplement instruction in Fine Arts. This packet includes a selection of each applicable Oklahoma Academic Standard for Fine Arts and its alignment to the relevant National Geography Standard(s). The goal of the National Geography Standards is to enable students to become geographically informed through knowledge and mastery of three things: (1) factual knowledge; (2) mental maps and tools; (3) and ways of thinking. Contact us at okage@ou.edu to receive free resources and for more ideas about how to use Geography in your classroom.

This packet includes standards from the following revision:
Fine Arts (2023)

Grade level(s): Elementary, Middle School, High School
Standards: OAS, GFL
Produced By: Becca Palczynsky and Grace Gierach

National Geography and Oklahoma Academic Standards Connections - Social Studies

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Description: This resource is designed to show how Geography can be used to supplement instruction in Social Studies. This packet includes a selection of each applicable Oklahoma Academic Standard for Social Studies and its alignment to the relevant National Geography Standard(s). The goal of the National Geography Standards is to enable students to become geographically informed through knowledge and mastery of three things: (1) factual knowledge; (2) mental maps and tools; (3) and ways of thinking. Contact us at okage@ou.edu to receive free resources and for more ideas about how to use Geography in your classroom.

This packet includes standards from the following revision:
Social Studies (2019)

Grade level(s): Elementary, Middle School, High School
Standards: OAS, GFL
Produced By: Becca Palczynsky and Grace Gierach

National Geography and Oklahoma Academic Standards Connections - Science

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Description: This resource is designed to show how Geography can be used to supplement instruction in Science. This packet includes a selection of each applicable Oklahoma Academic Standard for Science and its alignment to the relevant National Geography Standard(s). The goal of the National Geography Standards is to enable students to become geographically informed through knowledge and mastery of three things: (1) factual knowledge; (2) mental maps and tools; (3) and ways of thinking. Contact us at okage@ou.edu to receive free resources and for more ideas about how to use Geography in your classroom.

This packet includes standards from the following revision:
Science (2020)

Grade level(s): Elementary, Middle School, High School
Standards: OAS, GFL
Produced By: Becca Palczynsky and Grace Gierach

National Geography and Oklahoma Academic Standards Connections - Mathematics

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Description: This resource is designed to show how Geography can be used to supplement instruction in Mathematics. This packet includes a selection of each applicable Oklahoma Academic Standard for Mathematics and its alignment to the relevant National Geography Standard(s). The goal of the National Geography Standards is to enable students to become geographically informed through knowledge and mastery of three things: (1) factual knowledge; (2) mental maps and tools; (3) and ways of thinking. Contact us at okage@ou.edu to receive free resources and for more ideas about how to use Geography in your classroom.

This packet includes standards from the following revision:
Mathematics (2022)

Grade level(s): Elementary, Middle School, High School
Standards: OAS, GFL
Produced By: Becca Palczynsky and Grace Gierach

National Geography and Oklahoma Academic Standards Connections - English Language Arts

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Description: This resource is designed to show how Geography can be used to supplement instruction in English Language Arts. This packet includes a selection of each applicable Oklahoma Academic Standard for English Language Arts and its alignment to the relevant National Geography Standard(s). The goal of the National Geography Standards is to enable students to become geographically informed through knowledge and mastery of three things: (1) factual knowledge; (2) mental maps and tools; (3) and ways of thinking. Contact us at okage@ou.edu to receive free resources and for more ideas about how to use Geography in your classroom.

This packet includes standards from the following revision:
English Language Arts (2021)

Grade level(s): Elementary, Middle School, High School
Standards: OAS, GFL
Produced By: Becca Palczynsky and Grace Gierach

National Geography and Oklahoma Academic Standards Connections - Computer Science

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Description: This resource is designed to show how Geography can be used to supplement instruction in Computer Science. This packet includes a selection of each applicable Oklahoma Academic Standard for Computer Science and its alignment to the relevant National Geography Standard(s). The goal of the National Geography Standards is to enable students to become geographically informed through knowledge and mastery of three things: (1) factual knowledge; (2) mental maps and tools; (3) and ways of thinking. Contact us at okage@ou.edu to receive free resources and for more ideas about how to use Geography in your classroom.

This packet includes standards from the following revision:
Computer Science (2023)

Grade level(s): Elementary, Middle School, High School
Standards: OAS, GFL
Produced By: Becca Palczynsky and Grace Gierach