Lions, Tigers and Bears: The Dilemma of Ecotourism

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Description: The objective of the lesson is to investigate the role and effectiveness of wildlife preserves, utilizing a micro-case study from Kenya and making connections to a variety of ecosystems through an online global tour of significant wildlife preserves. Using the essential and supporting questions, students will analyze the advantages and disadvantages of current environmental protection efforts in order to make recommendations regarding a proposed wildlife preserve in Antarctica.

Grade level(s): Middle School, High School
Standards: OAS, GFL
Produced By: Pam Merrill

Rio Platano

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Description: The objective of the lesson is to provide an in-depth study of Central America’s most important biosphere - the Rio Platano Reserve and its necessity to the survival of both humans and wildlife. Using the essential and supporting questions, students will analyze the perspectives of major groups who seek to utilize the natural resources of the Rio Platano, followed by engagement in a simulated regional conference of stakeholders. A comparative micro-study of the impact of unsustainable use of the monarch butterfly’s habitat in Mexico provides an optional enrichment opportunity for students. In addition, an extension mini-lesson provides an overall understanding of why wildlife preserves are established, how government policies attempt to protect species, and how individuals can be responsible stewards of their environments.

Grade level(s): Middle School
Standards: OAS, GFL
Produced By: Pam Merrill

Water, water everywhere, but not a drop to drink

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Description: Students will understand the importance of water and gain an understanding of where their water comes from and ways of conserving water.

Grade level(s): Middle School Standards: OAS, GFL
Produced By: Jeff Woolsey

Saving the Mediterranean Sea

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Description: Students will understand how human activities have impacted the ecosystem in the Mediterranean Sea.

Grade level(s): Middle School Standards: GFL, OAS
Produced By: Angela Trent

Ecotourism: Are you a tacky tourist or an eco tourist?

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Description: Students will understand the role of tourists as responsible stewards of natural resources and the environment.

Grade level(s): Middle School Standards: GFL, OAS
Produced By: Angela Trent

Human Trafficking - I want my freedom!

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Description: Students will learn what human trafficking is.

Grade level(s): Middle School Standards: GFL, OAS
Produced By: Jeff Woolsey

Universal Rights of the Child to Remain with Their Parents

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Description: The ability to evaluate controversial issues is an important life skill of citizenship for all individuals. Using age appropriate lessons, teachers can help students learn how to use critical inquiry and higher levels of thinking to gain an understanding of sensitive issues, the stakes and stakeholders involved, and relevant viewpoints. In this lesson, students will learn about UNICEF’s Rights of the Child, focusing on the right of children to remain with their parents (with exceptions being in cases of abuse, neglect, or specific parental custody placement). Using examples from past history, as well as current events, students will gain an understanding of consequences when this right is violated, and respectfully participate in discussions with others when different viewpoints are expressed.

Grade level(s):  Elementary, Middle School
Standards: GFL, OAS
Produced By: Lynn Tilley

Lives on Hold: Teaching the Refugee Crisis

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Description: More people today have been forced to flee their homes by conflict and crisis than at any other time since World War II. Through this collaborative, hands-on lesson, students will simulate facets of involuntary migration and displacement. The resources provided allow students to engage with authentic situations experienced by asylum seekers, helping them to better empathize with and understand the plight of refugee families.

Grade level(s):  Middle School Standards: GFL, OAS
Produced By: Taylor Woodard

Developing Critical Literacy Skills While Examining Controversial Topics

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Description: Students will be exploring and showcasing an area of development taking place in their local area and how it is impacting their community.

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

The Deforestation Balancing Act

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Description: The objective of the lesson is to examine the evidence linking deforestation to the controversial topic of climate change. Using the essential question, students will demonstrate an understanding of the causes of deforestation, including its role in global climate changes of the present and future. Students will conclude their investigations in a simulated climate conference, during which they will utilize geographic information and facts to support their views toward this controversial topic.

Grade level(s): Elementary, Middle School
Standards: OAS, GFL             
Produced By: Pam Merrill

Geography 101 LiveBinder

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Description: This LiveBinder provides a crash course in teaching Geography. Topics include the Five Themes of Geography, using data and maps, population, GIS resources, and more!

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

Teach a Man to Fish - Controversies Surrounding Foreign Aid

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Description: Students will analyze the major controversies surrounding the rationale and impact of foreign aid to developing regions in order to formulate informed opinions and effectively engage in deliberations regarding financial assistance to growing economies.

Grade level(s): Middle School, High School
Standards: GFL, OAS             
Produced By: Pam Merrill

Rich or Poor: Barriers and Paths to Development

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Description: Students will examine basic reasons why some nations and regions develop while other do not, including analysis of the factors used by geographers to measure human development and two opposing models toward development, historically and currently utilized by developing nations’ leadership toward reaching economic progress. Use of real-world families from selected developed and developing regions serve as the catalyst for student investigations.

Grade level(s): Middle School, High School
Standards: GFL, OAS             
Produced By: Pam Merrill

Dust to Dust: The Changing Face of a Desert

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Description: The study of geography, history, and the social studies in general, provide ample opportunities for students to evaluate the positive and negative consequences of human modification the Earth’s surface through the use of limited and non-renewable resources. This lesson focuses on the ways imported technology rapidly transformed the arid environment of the Arabian Peninsula, only to be transformed again by human mismanagement of fossil aquifers just a few decades later. 

Grade level(s): Middle School               Standards: OAS, GFL         
Produced By: Pam Merrill

Urbanization in India: Push and Pull Factors

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Description: This lesson focuses on the causes and challenges of India’s rapid rural-to-urban migration. 

Grade level(s): Middle School             Standards: OAS, GFL             
Produced By: Janet Hall

Who? What? Where? Oklahomans Who Made a Difference - Updated 2025

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Description: In this lesson, students will use the Oklahoma Giant Traveling Map to identify and gain a better understanding of notable historic and present day Oklahomans who made significant contributions to the state.

Grade level(s): Elementary (Adaptable to 8th & 10th grade American History)
Standards: OAS, GFL
Produced By: Lynn Tilley

The World at Your Fingertips: Technology Tools for Geography Education

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Description: This resource includes information on a variety of technology tools that can be used for teaching Geography and World Studies. The resources outlined in this overview are free to use, compatible with any device, include interaction with maps and geographic data, provide opportunities for student inquiry and research, and offer online publication of student digital products.

Grade level(s): Elementary, Middle School, High School
Standards: N/A
Produced By: Pam Merrill

It Happened in Oklahoma! Historically Significant State and Local Landmarks - Updated 2025

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Description: In this lesson, students will use the Oklahoma Giant Traveling Map to identify and locate important state and local landmarks, as well as gain a better understanding of their historical significance.

Grade level(s): Elementary (Adaptable to 8th & 10th grade American History)
Standards: OAS, GFL
Produced By: Lynn Tilley

Geography as a Thinking Tool

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Description: The purpose of this lesson is to show teachers different ways to interject thinking activities into their daily lesson plans. Geography is an excellent subject for this type of activity because at the center of all geographic issues is the question of “why?” A list of thinking activities is provided in this session, most of which will use authentic and inquiry methodology. Teachers may adapt these activities and ideas to their particular classroom environment.

Grade level(s): Elementary, Middle School, High School
Standards: N/A
Produced By: Teresa Begley

Cruising Through the Atlas

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Description: The purpose of this lesson is to help students understand the abundance of information available to them in a desk atlas. By walking or “cruising” through the atlas, students will learn about the multitude of graphs, the many symbols, and how they are used. Students will examine legends, map scales, diagrams, charts, the compass rose, and thematic maps. Students will also learn the difference between political and physical maps.

Grade level(s): Middle School
Standards: GFL
Produced By: Teresa Begley