Social Studies Worksheet · Grades 4–6
US States and Capitals Worksheet
A printable social studies worksheet for grades 4-6 that builds the skill of matching U.S. states to their capital cities. Students write the capital for 8 major states in Section A and answer 6 short questions about state and national capitals in Section B. A complete answer key is included.
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Subject
Social Studies
Grades
Grades 4–6
Skill Focus
US States and Capitals, geography
Lesson Length
15 minutes
Lesson Overview
About this worksheet
The United States is made up of 50 STATES, and each state has its own CAPITAL CITY where state lawmakers meet, the governor works, and the state’s highest court sits. The country as a whole has a capital too – WASHINGTON, D.C. – but it is not part of any state. Helping students learn major state capitals (and notice that the capital is often NOT the state’s largest city) builds the foundation for any further state-history or civics work.
Section A gives students 8 major states and asks for the capital of each: California (Sacramento), Texas (Austin), Florida (Tallahassee), New York (Albany), Illinois (Springfield), Ohio (Columbus), Georgia (Atlanta), and Washington (Olympia). The set is intentionally mixed across regions and includes several states where the capital is NOT the biggest city – a fact worth pointing out in class discussion.
Section B raises the difficulty: students answer 6 short questions in their own words – what the U.S. capital is, the difference between a state and a state capital, why each state needs a capital, what buildings might be in a state capital city, why Washington, D.C. is not part of any state, and why lawmakers might have chosen a particular city as the capital. The reference box at the top of page 1 introduces the concept; page 3 is the answer key.
How to Use This Lesson
Read the reference box aloud and locate Washington, D.C. on a wall map (between Maryland and Virginia) so students see why it is its own federal district.
Work Section A independently. Encourage students to whisper-test the city name before writing it – ‘Springfield, not Chicago’ helps anchor that the capital is not always the biggest city.
Before Section B, model item 9 (‘What is the capital of the United States?’) aloud so students see the expected answer format.
Use the answer key on page 3 for self-check or aide spot-check; Section B answers are sample responses, not the only correct ones.
Pair with the Continents and Oceans Worksheet, the Map Skills Worksheet, or the Cardinal and Intermediate Directions Worksheet to build a short U.S. geography mini-unit.
Need a different set of states? The states and capitals worksheet generator builds a fresh worksheet from the states you pick, with the answer key.
Printable Resource
A classroom-ready PDF with everything in one printable resource.
Full Member Resource · Printable PDF · 3 pages · Answer Key
US States and Capitals Worksheet
A printable social studies worksheet for grades 4-6 that builds the skill of matching U.S. states to their capital cities. Students write the capital for 8 major states in Section A and answer 6 short questions about state and national capitals in Section B. A complete answer key is included.
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