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

National Geography and Oklahoma Academic Standards Connections

Click on the image above to download the packet.

Description: This resource is designed to show how Geography can be used to supplement instruction in each subject area included in the Oklahoma Academic Standards. This resource includes a selection of each applicable Oklahoma Academic Standard 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 revisions:
Computer Science (2023)
English Language Arts (2021)
Mathematics (2022)
Science (2020)
Social Studies (2019)
Fine Arts (2023)
Personal Financial Literacy (2019)
World Languages (2021)
Health and Safety (2023)
Physical Education (2023)

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

Using the Oklahoma Giant Map to Understand the Heavy Consequences of Light Pollution

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

Description: This lesson is designed as a template to introduce the Giant Traveling Map of Oklahoma and provide examples of how this map 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. To sign up to participate in a dark sky Geo-Inquiry project with OKAGE, visit http://okageweb.org/event-registration-1 or contact us at okage@ou.edu.

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

Exploring Oklahoma’s Cities on the Giant Map

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Description: This activity is designed to help students identify some of Oklahoma’s major cities on the map. Students will be introduced to coordinates and will use them to identify these locations. By exploring on the Giant Map, students will also become more familiar with cities across Oklahoma while growing their perspective of the world around them.

Grade level(s): Elementary
Standards: OAS, GFL
Produced By: Cheryl Ivester

Stability in our Ecosystems: A Closer Look at the Impacts of Preservation and Conservation

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Description: This unit is designed to allow students to take a closer look at a local ecosystem and compare and contrast the benefits of preservation and conservation. Students will be able to define conservation and preservation and explain the impacts of each on their local ecosystem of choice. Our hope is to empower learners to understand the distinct impacts of conservation and preservation. 

Furthermore, students can interact with a local environment, complete a hands-on learning experience, then compare what they have learned to other environments at the regional or global scale. 

Students will develop their own preservation and/or conservation plan for this local ecosystem while focusing on the ecological, economic, and political impact of this plan.

Grade level(s): Elementary School, Middle School
Standards: OAS, GFL
Produced By: Amber DeWinter

Geography in Novel Studies

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Description: Which works of literature have you shared with students that you believe had a powerful effect on their thinking on a social studies issue? The materials included here are designed to provide ideas about the ways in which geography can be used to help understand the place-specific context of elementary-level novels and works of literature.

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

Canada Scavenger Hunt on the North America Giant Map

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Description: This activity is designed to help students identify some of Canada’s physical features, cultural areas, major cities etc. on the map.

Grade level(s): Elementary School, Middle School
Standards: OAS, GFL
Produced By: Angela DeLong & Kim Richter

Using Geography to Understand Math and Statistics in the Modern World

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Description: Explore complex geographic topics and concepts such as population distribution, economic geography, and public health on an elementary level using the Oklahoma Academic Standards for English Language Arts and the Oklahoma Academic Standards for Mathematics. Students will read the book, “If the World Were 100 People” by Jackie McCann and will use statistical literacy skills to research global statistics independently or with a group to create their own book including the information they found, visual representations of the information, and illustrations.

Grade level(s): Elementary School
Standards: OAS, GFL
Produced By: J. Scott Greene & Becca Palczynsky

Using Science, Math, Social Studies, English Language Arts, and Geography to Understand What Really Happened to the Grid During the Last Snowstorm

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Description: Join the Oklahoma Alliance for Geographic Education and the State Department of Education for a professional development session titled “Using Science, Math, Social Studies, English Language Arts, and Geography to Understand What Really Happened to the Grid During the Last Snowstorm!”

We know the snowstorm of February 2021 exposed the sensitivities of the grid systems. What happened in Texas can and does happen elsewhere, for various reasons. The public view and the industry view differ. So, the question for us is: "What really happened?" During this presentation, we will highlight how elements from all subject areas can be used to explain the causes of this incident as well as understand implications for future service interruptions due to extreme weather events.

Kylah McNabb is a renewable energy specialist, policy advisor, and educator. She currently is the Principal of Vesta Strategic Solutions, LLC, in OKC. Prior to that, Kylah served as a Renewable Energy Specialist, Oklahoma Department of Commerce, 2008-2017, and as an Energy Policy Advisor, Oklahoma Secretary of Energy & Environment, 2016-2017. Kylah will share her unique insights and data regarding the recent events. Her perspective will not only include what did happen but also, what did not happen!

Watch the recording of the session here.

Grade level(s): Elementary, Middle School, High School
Standards: OAS
Produced By: Kylah McNabb

Tulsa Race Massacre Session 2: Processing the Tulsa Race Massacre Through Literacy

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Description: Join the Oklahoma Alliance for Geographic Education and National Geographic Certified Educator, Taylor Woodard, for a session on helping students process the Tulsa Race Massacre through literacy. The content presented in this session is for upper elementary and middle school educators. This material is aligned with the Oklahoma Academic Standards for Social Studies, the Oklahoma Academic Standards for English Language Arts, and the National Geography Standards.

Watch the recording of this session here.

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

Gridiron Geography - 2020

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Description: Using the Big 12 Football schedule as a guide, your students will learn about the geographical and historical significance surrounding the participating teams' campuses, home cities or towns, home states, mascots, players, and more!

Grade level(s): Upper Elementary, Middle School, High School
Standards: GFL
Produced By: Dr. Steve Stadler, Brenda Chapman, Deji Duggar, Jeff Woolsey, Johnnie Keel, Ann Kennedy, Pam Merrill, Clayton Canon, Becca Palczynsky, and Taylor Woodard.

Online PD Session 2: Climate Change - 2020 Update

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Description: Students will understand the causes and effects of climate change. They will also be able to determine the difference between mitigation and adaptation strategies for climate change. In this lesson, students will apply adaptation strategies to real-world climate change scenarios.

Watch the recording of this session here.

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

Gridiron Geography - 2019

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

Description: Using the Big 12 Football schedule as a guide, your students will learn about the geographical and historical significance surrounding the participating teams' campuses, home cities or towns, home states, mascots, players, and more!

Grade level(s): Upper Elementary, Middle School, High School
Standards: GFL
Produced By: Ginny Rohr, Jeff Woolsey, Janet Hall, Darren Purcell, Brenda Chapman, Courtney Moore, and LeaAnn Wyrick.

Oklahomans on the Move

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Description: Students will use the Giant Traveling Map of Oklahoma to explore the state’s population distribution—past and present.

Grade level(s): Upper Elementary, Middle School, High School
Standards: OAS
Produced By: Clayton Canon

The (not so) Great Pacific Garbage Patch Part 2

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Description: The students will analyze causes and possible solution to ocean debris with an emphasis on plastics.

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

The (not so) Great Pacific Garbage Patch Part 1

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Description: The students will analyze causes and possible solution to ocean debris with an emphasis on plastics.

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

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

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

Gridiron Geography - 2018

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

Description: Using the Big 12 Football schedule as a guide, your students will learn about the geographical and historical significance surrounding the participating teams' campuses, home cities or towns, home states, mascots, players, and more!

Grade level(s): Upper Elementary, Middle School, High School
Standards: GFL
Produced By: Ginny Rohr, Jeff Woolsey, Pam Merril, Janet Hall, Jeffery Widener, LeaAnn Wyrick, Jacob Rosecrants, and Brenda Chapman.