.Tales of Oklahoma is a educational project brought to you by the Sonic Corporation, the Oklahoma Council on Economic Education and the UCO Center for Economic Education. This project is comprised of a series of lessons designed to help students gain a better understanding of the roles economics and entrepreneurship have played in shaping Oklahoma’s unique history. Entrepreneurs, like Troy Smith, have been important economic forces and their legacies continue to impact our economy. These lessons were developed by educators for educators, and are available free of charge to all Oklahoma teachers. All lessons meet select state standards. To download these lessons in PDF format, click on the lesson title.

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

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 residents.

  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

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.

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

No Man’s Land – Declaring a Territory

Settlers consider scarce land, cost
and benefits, and long term consequences of economic
decisions.

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 Immigration: New and Old

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.

Sonic Boom: An Oklahoma Entreprenuer and Innovator.

The Story of Sonic Drive Ins and Entrepreneur and Innovator Troy Smith

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