Oklahoma Academic Standard 2. The student will examine the physical geography and environments of the United States.  

Objective 2.1 Use maps and other geographic representations (such as globes and graphs), tools, and technologies to acquire, process, and report information from a spatial perspective.

A.  Use and describe various elements of maps, including keys/legends, scale, cardinal, and intermediate directions.

B.  Interpret aerial photographs, satellite images and thematic maps to locate and identify physical and human features of the United States and North America.

C.  Use latitude and longitude to identify the location of physical and human features of the United States.

In a Nutshell

When students use the tools of geography, such as representations of the Earth, they develop capabilities to interpret and draw conclusions about the world around them.  Students must be able to use these tools, as well as understand how they can provide information about the human and physical features of the United States.

Teacher Action 

Student Action 

• Ask students to answer geographic questions about the climate, economic resources, and physical differences of regions of the United States.

• Assist students in creating maps to explain spatial relationships of physical and human places.  

• Describe how regions of the United States are similar and different using maps, data graphs and charts, photographs, and other geographic representations.

• Explain how map tools help us interpret and draw conclusions from economic data on charts and graphs. 

Key Concepts 

Misconceptions 

• Geographic representations: political, physical and thematic maps, globes, graphs, diagrams, aerial photographs, satellite images

• Map tools: key/legend, scale, compass rose, cardinal/intermediate directions

• Absolute versus relative location; use of the system of parallels of latitude and meridians of longitude to identify absolute location

• As student use of map symbols develop from iconic symbols (ex: a pine tree representing a park) to abstract symbols (ex: colored dots), students will need more guidance in order to understand how specific symbols are used to represent geographic features on maps or globes.

• While the concept of absolute location using the latitude and longitude system is introduced in prior social studies coursework, continued and frequent practice is necessary through each regional study of the United States. 

Instructional Resources