Unit 1. Geography and Early History of Oklahoma 

OAS Standard OKH 1. The student will describe the state’s geography and the historic foundations laid by American Indian, European, and American cultures.

Suggested Instructional Time: 2 weeks 

Driving Question:

Essential Questions:

Supporting Questions:

• How did the state’s geography impact American Indian, European, and American cultures?        

• How do people use their environment to meet their needs?

• To what extent does culture influence history? 

• How can political, social, and economic factors  contribute to conflict? 

• How can geographic tools be used to understand the physical and human features of our state and region?

• How have the natural resources of the state determined economic activities and growth?

• In what ways did American Indian cultures thrive prior to European contact?

• To what extent did early exploration, including American, French and Spanish, impact indigenous people living in the region?

• What differences between American Indians and European Americans led to misunderstandings and conflict?

Unit 2. Early Economics and Migration 

OAS Standard OKH 2. The student will evaluate the major political and economic events that transformed the land and its people from early contact through Indian Removal and its aftermath.

Suggested Instructional Time: 3 weeks 

Driving Question:

Essential Questions:

Supporting Questions:

• How did early political and economic decisions impact the land, its people, and their cultures?        

• Where does power and authority lie? 

• To what extent does power impact individuals and society?

• How does conflict influence decisions and actions?

• Why do people move? 

• To what extent did access to natural resources influence early trade and settlement patterns?

• What role did the military play in early interactions among Americans and indigenous people?

• What motivated changes in federal Indian policy regarding tribal rights and sovereignty?

• How did tactics used in the removal of the Five Nations influence additional Indian removals?

• To what extent did the relocation of the Five Nations increase tension with tribal groups living in the region? 

Unit 3. Growth and the Road to Statehood 

OAS Standard OKH 3. The student will evaluate the major political and economic events that transformed the land and its people from the outbreak of the Civil War through allotment and land openings.

Suggested Instructional Time: 3 weeks 

Driving Question:

Essential Questions:

Supporting Questions:

• What political and economic factors influenced rapid change and development prior to statehood?      

• What, if anything, is worth fighting for?

• What is self-determination and why is it important? 

• How does culture affect perspectives and actions?

• What does it mean to be a citizen? 

• To what extent did the Civil War and Reconstruction Treaties impact American Indians and their tribal sovereignty?

• What was the intent and result of the reservation system? 

• How did early industries expand economic opportunities in Indian Territory?

• What were the goals and consequences of Manifest Destiny?

• How did efforts of assimilation impact the future of Indian nations? 

Unit 4. Constitution and Government of Oklahoma 

OAS Standard OKH 4. The student will analyze the formation of constitutional government in Oklahoma.

Suggested Instructional Time: 2-3 weeks 

Driving Question:

Essential Questions:

Supporting Questions:

• How does constitutional government work in the state of Oklahoma to meet the needs of citizens?         

• Why are constitutions necessary? 

• What is government’s duty to the individual and society?

• Where does authority and power lie?

• What does sovereignty mean? 

• Who protects individual liberty? 

• How did past tribal experiences influence leaders to propose the State of Sequoyah?

• Why did many African American citizens feel an all-black state was necessary? 

• How was the process of statehood different for Oklahoma?

• To what extent did the Progressive era influence aspects of Oklahoma’s Constitution?

• How does the principle of tribal sovereignty impact the relationship of Indian tribes to the state of Oklahoma? 

• How does the structure of the state government reflect that of the national government? 

• Why are the principles of separated powers, checks and balances, and term limits important to limited government?

• How do citizens influence their local and state governments? 

• What services does the state government provide citizens? 

Unit 5. Progress of the Early 20th Century 

OAS Standard OKH 5. The student will examine the Oklahoma’s political, social, cultural, and economic transformation during the early decades following statehood.

Suggested Instructional Time: 4 weeks 

Driving Question:

Essential Questions:

Supporting Questions:

• How and why did Oklahoma change politically, socially, culturally, and economically following statehood?        

• How do humans adapt to and modify their environments to meet their needs? 

• How do individuals and groups impact society?

• How does conflict influence decisions and actions?

• What is the role of government to protect the rights of minorities? 

• What economic factors contribute to development and growth? 

• How did federal policies influence American Indian identity and culture?

• How did discrimination contribute to economic and social changes?

• To what extent does the development of natural resources affect major economic sectors of the state?

• How have periods of economic boom and bust affected growth?

• How is conservation of natural resources a result of experiences during the Dust Bowl and Great Depression? 

• What are the legacies of individuals who contributed to the development of their communities? 

Unit 6. Oklahoma in the Modern Era 

OAS Standard OKH 6. The student will investigate how post-war social, political, and economic events continued to transform the state of Oklahoma from the 1950s through the present.

Suggested Instructional Time: 3 weeks 

Driving Question:

Essential Questions:

Supporting Questions:

• How has the state and its people politically, socially, and economically changed in recent eras?

• What causes change?

• How do people modify their environments to meet their needs? 

• How do economies grow? 

• What responsibility do governments have toward citizens' rights?

• How is civic participation vital to a democracy? 

• Why is cultural diversity an asset to communities? 

• What is civil disobedience and how did it contribute to change during the Civil Rights movement in Oklahoma?

• What were patterns of economic growth in major industries of the state?  

• How do the region's natural resources continue to support economic development? 

• How and why have relations between state and tribal governments continued to evolve? 

• How did response to the terrorist attack on the Murrah Federal Building reflect the "Oklahoma Standard?"

• How have the achievements of Oklahomans in various fields impacted people’s perception of the state and its people? 

• How has the migration of diverse ethnic and racial groups contributed to Oklahoma's cultural landscape?