“Essential” Standards
for Social Studies
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Examine and determine main purpose of Oklahoma’s state government and identify representative leaders of the state and 3 branches of government (3.SS.CS.1.2) 
Map Symbols and Elements: Distinguish among map symbols and identify relative location, direction, scale, size, and shape using physical and political maps of Oklahoma including the use of latitude and longitude (3.SS.CS.3.1.A) Interpret thematic maps of Oklahoma with the essential map elements of title, legend, scale, and directional indicators (3.SS.CS.3.1.B) Describe the many Native American cultures that have inhabited present day Oklahoma including the Spiro Mound Builders, The Five Tribes, and the Plains Indians (3.SS.CS.4.3) 
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Describe early expeditions in Oklahoma including those of Coronado, Washiington Irving, and George Catlin (3.SS.CS.4.4) 
Understand and describe the relationship between historic events and chronology through the creation of basic timelines (3.SS.CS.4.1) 
Physical Features and Locations in OK: Identify Oklahoma’s major landforms and bodies of water on a physical map including Arbuckle Mountains, Ozark Plateau, Wichita Mountains, Kiamichi Mountains, Black Mesa, Red River, Canadian River, Arkansas River, Lake Texoma, Lake Eufala, Lake Tenkiller, Grand Lake, and the Great Salt Plains (3.SS.CS.3.1.C) Identify Oklaoma’s major metropolitan centers and cities on a political map including OKC, Tulsa, Lawton, Stillwater, Norman, Ponca City, Muskogee, Woodward, and McAlister (3.SS.CS.3.1.D) Describe the migration and settlements by Native Americans including the Trail of Tears (3.SS.CS.4.5) 
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Explain the opening of the Unassigned Lands and distinguish between the points of view off both Native Americans and Settlers (3.SS.CS. 4.7) 
Commemorate Statehood Day and the joining of Indian and Oklahoma Territories (3.SS.CS.4.8) 
Summarize how the weather and environment have impacted the economy of Oklahoma in events like the Dust Bowl (3.SS.CS.4.9) 
Summarize how scarcity and surplus require people to make choices about producing and consuming goods and services (3.SS.CS.2.1) 
Examine how the development of Oklahoma’s major economic activities have contributed to the growth of the state including the oil and natural gas industry, agriculture and livestock, aviation, tourism, and military installments (3.SS.CS.2.3)