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Grade 3: Social Studies Academic Standards

3.2.1 Examine Oklahoma's political and physical features.


A. Identify the state of Oklahoma using relative location, absolute location (latitude and longitude), direction, scale, size, and shape using physical and political maps.

Research Center Resources

Boundaries of Oklahoma (Oklahoma City: 1980)

Audio/Visual
Oklahoma State Map published by the Oklahoma Geological Survey, 1914 (Perrine.0001m Irving Perrine Collection, OHS)

Online Primary Sources

"Official Oklahoma state maps," Oklahoma Department of Tourism
Rodger E. Denison, "Geologic cross section from the Arbuckle Mountains to the Muenster Arch, southern Oklahoma and Texas, 1982"
Denison, "Geographical Publishing Co. Premier series map of Oklahoma and Indian Territory," Library of Congress

Additional Resources

Mapmaker Interactive, National Geographic




B. Interpret thematic maps of Oklahoma with the essential map elements of title, legend, scale, and directional indicators.

Research Center Resources

Audio/Visual

Online Primary Sources

United States Soil Conservation Service, and Compuroute Inc. Important Farmlands Map, State of Oklahoma. Fort Worth, Tex.: The Service, 1982. Map.

United States Army Engineer Topographic Laboratories. Automated Cartography Branch. Experimental Perspective Map, Cache, OK. Fort Belvoir, VA: USAETL, 1980. Map.

Additional Resources

"Rural America: A Story Map," US Census Bureau
"Census Data Mapper," US Census Bureau 




C. Identify Oklahoma's major landforms and bodies of water on a physical map.

The Encyclopedia of Oklahoma History and Culture

Nick Abbott and Richard A. Marston, "Ozark Plateau"
Brad Agnew, "Illinois River"

Kurtis W. Boucher and Richard A. Marston, "Great Salt Plains"
Shayne R. Cole and Richard A. Marston, "Winding Stair Mountains"
Shayne R. Cole and Richard A. Marston, "Ouachita Mountains"
Dianna Everett, "Canadian River"
Brooks Flippen, "Lake Texoma"
Gregory A. Gromadzki and Richard A. Marston, "Boston Mountains"
Bruce W. Hoagland, "Cross Timbers"
Dana Jackson, "Black Kettle National Grassland"
Tom Lewis and Sara Jane Richter, "Black Mesa"
Melanie L. McPhail and Richard A. Marston, "Osage Plains"
Christopher Neel and Richard A. Marston, "Quartz Mountains"
Larry O'Dell, "Arkansas River"
Larry O'Dell, "Cimarron River"
Larry O'Dell, "Lake Eufaula"
Jamie J. Patton and Richard A. Marston, "Great Plains"
Jamie J. Patton and Richard A. Marston, "Shawnee Hills"
Josh Pittman and Richard A. Marston, "Antelope Hills"
Josh Pittman and Richard A. Marston, "Coastal Plains"
Glen Roberson, "Red River"
Dale K. Splinter and Richard A. Marston, "Arbuckle Mountains"
Dale K. Splinter and Richard A. Marston, "Wichita Mountains"
Kevin J. Ware and Richard A. Marston, "Kiamichi Mountains"

Online Primary Sources

"Oklahoma Wetlands Reference Guide," Oklahoma Conservation Commission, 2000 

Additional Resources

Howard L. Johnson and Claude E. Duchon. The Atlas of Oklahoma Climate (Norman: University of Oklahoma Press, 1995)
Kenneth S. Johnson, "Mountains, Streams, and Lakes of Oklahoma," Oklahoma Geological Survey Informational Series No. 1 (Norman: Oklahoma Geological Survey, 1998)
"Agency maps," Oklahoma Digital Prairie
"OK Rocks: The Making of a Landscape Teacher Guide," Oklahoma Geological Survey, 2011




D. Identify Oklahoma's major metropolitan centers and cities on a political map.

The Encyclopedia of Oklahoma History and Culture

Paula Carmack Denson, "Ponca City"
Louise Boyd James, "Woodward"
Cynthia Savage, "Lawton"
Linda D. Wilson, "Oklahoma City"
Carl E. Gregory, "Tulsa"
Brenda Granger, "Edmond"
Earl Newsom, "Stillwater"
Billie Fathree Floyd and Alberta Johnson Blackburn, "Ada"
Beth Harrington, "Tahlequah"
Keith L. Milligan, "Durant"
Robert J. Barnard, "Shawnee"
Wallace F. Waits Jr., "Muskogee"

Research Center Resources

John W. Morris, Cities of Oklahoma (Oklahoma City: 1979) https://gateway.okhistory.org/ark:/67531/metadc862904
Historical Map of Oklahoma, Oklahoma Natural Gas Corporation, 1931 (Hismap.Hammett.0001, John P. Hammett Map Collection, OHS)

Online Primary Sources

"Map of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, 1933–1939," Federal Home Loan Bank Board. Home Owners' Loan Corporation, National Archives




E. Describe the climate and various natural vegetation zones found in Oklahoma.

The Encyclopedia of Oklahoma History and Culture

Howard L. Johnson, "Climate"

Research Center Resources

John W. Morris, Geography of Oklahoma (Oklahoma City: 1977)

Audio/Visual
Hunting and Fishing Map, Topographic Map for Oklahoma's Sportsman and Tourist, 1938 (Gemap.0045a/B, Oklahoma Historical Society Map Collection, OHS)
Agricultural Production, 1945 (Agrmap.Taft.0001, Taft Middle School Collection, OHS)

Additional Resources

"EnviroAtlas Interactive Map," United States Environmental Protection Agency
Geoff McGhee, "Visualizing A Wet, Hot (and Also Very Dry) American Summer." Interactive Maps of Drought and Precipitation, United States, 2015" National Geographic. 




F. Identify the six states bordering Oklahoma on a map.

Research Center Resources

"Index Map of Kansas and Oklahoma, Midcontinent Map Company," Tulsa, Oklahoma, 1953 (Petmap.Acc.0020, Austin Companies Collection, OHS)
"A Correct Map of the Oklahoma Country and Cherokee Outlet Reached Via the Missouri Pacific Railway And Iron Mountain Route," 1889 (Otmap.0005, Oklahoma Historical Society Map Collection, OHS)

Online Primary Sources

George Philip & Son, Central United States, map, 1902, University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History




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