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

Will You be the Next Spymaster?

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Description: Participants will enter the shadowy world of spy agents and covert missions while learning process and literacy skills, map skills, and key details of the Revolutionary War. They will read for understanding, analyze primary source documents and maps, and make inferences about the Revolutionary time period, while at the same time trying to outwit and out-spy their opponents.

Grade level(s): Elementary
Standards: GFL, C3
Produced By: Teresa Potter

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

Resources and Population Patterns: What's the Connection? - Updated 2025

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Description: Students will analyze data including a variety of special purpose maps of Oklahoma to determine the reason for population growth and decline in specific areas. The Giant Traveling Map of Oklahoma is used to help students understand the changing population distribution across Oklahoma.

Grade level(s): Elementary, Middle School
Standards: OAS, GFL
Produced By: Heather Braucher

Loaded Language: The Smoking Gun of Bias

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Description: The purpose of this lesson is to provide students with the opportunity to explore the language used by various media to sway public opinion.

Grade level(s): Elementary, Middle School, High School                    Standards: OAS
Produced By: Brian Davis

I Have Heard of a Land: Using Oklahoma’s Giant Traveling Map, with Historical Maps, to Tell a Complete Story - Updated 2025

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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

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Description: A technology tool kit for teachers to utilize in their classroom.

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

When Maps Lie

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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

The Parrot Says: Save the Rainforest

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Description: Students will understand how human settlement and deforestation drove the Puerto Rican Parrot to the brink of extinction.

Grade level(s): Upper Elementary, Middle, High School              Standards: OAS, GFL              Produced By: Lee Ann Harrelson