"Sahara Some Places in Africa You Need to Know!" Africa's Major Physical Features

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Description: Students will use the Giant Map of Africa to become familiar with locations and descriptions of the continent’s major physical features. Middle school is the first opportunity to examine the human and physical characteristics of Africa to any degree of detail. This lesson is designed to be used as an overview or introduction to the continent of Africa by examining its major physical features while also challenging students’ preconceived ideas about the continent.

Grade level(s): Middle School
Standards: OAS, GFL
Produced By: Cindy Petree

Feed the Need: Taking a Closer Look at Food Insecurity in Oklahoma

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Description: Students will gain an understanding of food insecurity and hunger in Oklahoma. Students will examine the worldwide humanitarian crisis and the humanitarian relief efforts by the United Nations to address hunger around the world. Learners will create and engage in a service project stemming from this lesson. This is a tiered lesson which may be adjusted for desired level of difficulty.

Grade level(s): Middle School, High School
Standards: OAS, GFL
Produced By: LeaAnn Wyrick

World Religions - In Search of the Light

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Description: Students will evaluate the impact of a region’s major religions, including geographic hearths, major beliefs, customs, and the significance of religion in contemporary societies, and explain how religion can both unify and divide people.

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

The Peoples Forum: What Does Sovereignty Mean for the World's Indigenous Peoples?

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Description: The objective of this lesson is to introduce students to the concept of sovereignty and its necessity to assure the survival of the Earth’s most unique, as well as threatened, cultures. Through a simulated conference among representatives of various indigenous groups, students will investigate eight case studies of conflict and cooperation between indigenous groups and governments whose exercise of authority endangers their lands, political rights, and social rights. A review of the goals of the United Nations’ Declaration of the Rights of Indigenous People serves as a catalyst for student-created resolutions to address the problems from these eight case studies through mock deliberation and debate.

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

Gridiron Geography - 2019

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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: Ginny Rohr, Jeff Woolsey, Janet Hall, Darren Purcell, Brenda Chapman, Courtney Moore, and LeaAnn Wyrick.

Climate Change

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Description: The students will understand the causes and effects of climate change. Students will also be able to apply adaptation strategies to real-world climate change scenarios.

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

The Global Homeless: An Overview of the International Refugee Crisis

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Description: The objective of the lesson is to introduce students to the concept of a refugee, as opposed to economic migrants, including an analysis of the primary causes of forced migration and the three basic responses to refugee crises around the world. Students will compare an historical example of forced migration, resulting in the refugee status of one of Oklahoma’s tribal people to the status of contemporary examples of refugees in both the western and eastern hemisphere. Students are encouraged to demonstrate their own independent inquiries into the international refugee crises through the creation of a Thinglink digital product, which can be shared online with fellow students.

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

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

Garbage: A Recycling Love Story

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Description: Students will gain an understanding about garbage and recycling.

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

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