Oklahoma Social Studies AWH.C.5.3
The Standard
Describe the unification of the tribes of Israel under Kings Saul, David, and Solomon, including David’s founding of Jerusalem in 1000 BC and the building of the first temple by Solomon.
Oklahoma Academic Standards for Social Studies (2026)
Teacher's field guide
What This Standard Means
What Students Need to Do
- Students explain how the tribes of Israel came under one monarchy. They identify Saul as the first king, David as the king who made Jerusalem the capital around 1000 BCE, and Solomon as the king who built the first temple.
What Mastery Looks Like
- A student puts the three kings in order and names each king’s role. They explain how a shared capital and temple helped bring the tribes together.
Common Misconceptions
- Students may say Solomon made Jerusalem the capital or David built the first temple. Some assume Jerusalem was a new city when David made it his capital.
How to Assess It
- On an exit slip, have students put Saul, David, and Solomon in order. Ask them to name each king’s role and give the approximate date Jerusalem became the capital.
Lesson moves
Ways to Teach It
Give pairs a printed map of ancient Israel and markers to label tribal regions and Jerusalem, then ask why Jerusalem worked as a capital.
Ask students to write two sentences answering: How could a shared capital and temple help unite separate tribes?
Play an event-card sort: students place cards under Saul, David, or Solomon and explain one choice to a partner.
Show ancient and current maps of Jerusalem, then have students locate the old city and discuss why this place still matters.
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