Grades 3–5
The Great Lakes
Read 5 facts about the Great Lakes (HOMES, Lake Superior, the only all-American lake, the 8 lake states and Niagara Falls) and answer 6 questions.
Social studies worksheet · U.S. states and capitals
Tricky Capitals
12 states where the capital is not the biggest city, from Albany (not New York City) to Sacramento (not Los Angeles): pick the real capital.
- Grade level
- Grades 3–5
- Time
- About 15 minutes
- Answer key
- Yes, page 2 of the PDF
- Kids practice
- U.S. states and capitals, Regions, Map reading
What kids do
“In these states, the biggest city is NOT the capital! Circle or write the real capital.”
Printed on the sheet:
- 1. New York: Albany or New York
- 2. California: Los Angeles or
- 4. Florida: Tallahassee or
- 6. Pennsylvania: Harrisburg or
- 10. Missouri: Jefferson City or Kansas
- 11. Louisiana: New Orleans or Baton
- What is the capital of your state? Is it the biggest city?
Teacher tip
Ask kids why they think the capital is not the biggest city.
How to use it
- Use a song or a chant for the states and capitals.
- Let kids check answers with a labeled map.
- Use finished sheets for a quick gallery walk or a partner share.
Watch for
Kids who mix up capitals and big cities. Point out tricky ones like New York and Albany.
Talk about it
- Which state would you like to visit?
- What question would you ask an expert on this topic?
Take it further
Write to a pen pal class in another state.
US Letter, prints well in black and white. Free for home and classroom use: print as many copies as you need.
More u.s. states and capitals worksheets
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Match 8 national parks, from Yellowstone (the first one, in 1872) and Yosemite to the Everglades, Acadia and Denali, to their states.
Grades 3–5
Plan a Road Trip
Kids plan a road trip through 4 neighboring states: draw the route on a labeled U.S. map and list each state’s capital and something to see there.
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