The (not so) Great Pacific Garbage Patch Part 1
Lions, Tigers and Bears: The Dilemma of Ecotourism
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
Developing Critical Literacy Skills While Examining Controversial Topics
Geography 101 LiveBinder
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
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
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
Who? What? Where? Oklahomans Who Made a Difference - Updated 2025
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
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
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
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
Blown Away! Oklahoma's Wind Energy
Description: The purpose of this lesson is for students to learn the fundamental parts of a windmill, to use the scientific method to isolate and adjust variables when constructing a functional windmill that lifts weights, and to understand energy conversions/transfers and how a windmill converts moving air into usable mechanical energy. Students will understand that wind power is a choice we can make that reduces pollution and climate impacts.
Grade level(s): Middle School, High School
Standards: OAS, GFL
Produced By: Kylah McNabb; Teresa Potter
Examining Statistics: Oklahoma's Wind Energy
Description: The purpose of this lesson is for students to examine statistics and understand that as a society and as individuals, we can make choices to help reduce the climatic impact of electricity generation. Students will understand that generating power with the wind is a choice we can make that will reduce the severity of environmental issues.
Grade level(s): Middle School, High School
Standards: OAS, GFL
Produced By: Kylah McNabb; Teresa Potter
Water We Going To Do?
Description: In this lesson, students will explore how water behaves on various substrates (ground surfaces), what occurs during a flood, and the causes of flash floods. This lesson concludes with students designing and testing various floodplain models intended to mitigate the effects of flash floods.
Grade level(s): Middle School, High School
Standards: OAS, GFL Produced By: Danny Mattox
Immigration & Ethnic Settlement Patterns In Post-Reconstruction Oklahoma, 1865 - 1900 - Updated 2025
Description: In this lesson students will explore the different immigration and migration patterns of settlement in post-reconstruction Oklahoma, and develop an appreciation of our rich cultural and ethnic heritage.
Grade level(s): High School Standards: OAS, GFL Produced By: Lynn Tilley
Loaded Language: The Smoking Gun of Bias
Top Ten Most X-Treme Animals
I Have Heard of a Land: Using Oklahoma’s Giant Traveling Map, with Historical Maps, to Tell a Complete Story - Updated 2025
Description: Geography is the landscape on which History happens. In this lesson, students will use an award-winning historical fiction picture book, the Oklahoma Giant Traveling Map, and a series of Oklahoma historical maps, to gain a better understanding of why Blacks from the South, single women, and other pioneers came to participate in the land runs, as well as the impact on Native Americans already living in the areas. Students will gain an appreciation and understanding that history usually has more than one perspective to events happening.
Grade level(s): Elementary, Middle School, High School Standards: OAS, GFL
Produced By: Lynn Tilley
Geography Teacher Technology Tool Kit
When Maps Lie
Description: Students will understand the limitations and uses of different map projections, as well as becoming familiar with how maps can be used to accidentally or intentionally misrepresent facts
Grade level(s): Elementary, Middle School, High School
Standards: OAS, GFL
Produced By: Janet Hall