Tales of Oklahoma

Uprising in Pickens County;  Economic Development in a New Land – Intruders and the Chickasaw Nation work together to create a stable economic system in early Oklahoma

The Oklahoma Debate over Economic Systems – Socialism versus Capitalism, and the Influence of the Populist Movement in Oklahoma

From Guthrie to Oklahoma City: Capitol and Capital Moves – Students will research and analyze the economic motivations for relocating the capitol.

W. G. Edwards: African American Entrepreneurial Pioneer of Oklahoma City – Among Oklahoma City’s most prominent African American entrepreneurs and real estate developers in the early 20th century was Walter J. Edwards. In racially segregated Oklahoma City, African Americans created a cohesive community of businesses, residential areas, entertainment venues, and social institutions paralleling those of the city’s white resident.

The Great Oklahoma Gold Rush of 1895 – Gold seekers, Native Americans, and the US Calvary at Fort Sill interact in the search for gold in the 1895 Gold Rush.

Enterprising Oklahoma Teachers: Subscription Schools – Students read and discuss a first-hand account of how an entrepreneurial teacher began her own schools to satisfy the need for education in early Oklahoma.

Mapping Oklahoma’s Economic Development – Students will research innovations and technological achievements
made in Oklahoma over the course of its history, and create a cartouche map of Oklahoma’s economic development.

No Man’s Land – Declaring a Territory – Settlers consider scarce land, cost and benefits, and long term consequences of economic decisions.

Sonic Boom: An Oklahoma Entrepreneur and Innovator – The Story of Sonic Drive Ins and Entrepreneur and Innovator Troy Smith.

What Shall We Take to the Land Run? – Students decide what resources, natural, human, and capital resources they will need to make the land run, then use play dough to model their choices

Oklahoma City’s Hooverville: The Effects of the Great Depression in the Sooner State – A power point slide presentation of families living along the Canadian River in the 1930’s.

Why Don’t Cowboys Ever Ride into the Sunset? – Choice, benefits, costs, and incentives. Students listen to a
Gene Autry tune, read and discuss a primary source description about cowboy life.

Oklahoma Immigration: New and Old – Russian/Germans in the 19^th century, and Vietnamese in the 20^thcentury use cost/benefit analysis to make decisions about immigration to Oklahoma.