Title: The Great States Race
Subject: Social Studies
Grade Level: 2, 3, 4, 5, 6

Overview: Children show their geography by naming states and capital city as they are shaded on a map of the United States.

Purpose: The children will learn and practice the location, shape and capital of all the fifty United States.

Resources and Materials: Grade level Social Studies books or a map of the United States

Computer Software: “The Great States Race” found in the Heartsoft folder on D123’s hard drive or
Internet Address: http://www.primarygames.com/states/start.htm

Activities:
*Younger children can reference a map of the United States to guess the shaded state and its corresponding capital city as a whole group, in partners, or individually. It is a great tool for introducing the 50 states!
* Older children can compete against themselves or a partner in a timed or untimed race to guess the shaded state and capital. This can be done during a Unit on the United States, at the end of one as an evaluation, or as a reinforcement throughout the year.

Evaluation: Scores are given at the end of the game for assessing each child’s success. The teacher can also informally watch a few rounds of each child’s game to assess their quick recall and knowledge of the states and capitals.