Need method for memorizing state and capitals in a co-op.

[Ferdie]

I am thinking about teaching state history in our co-op this year to 4th-6th graders. The majority of the hour long class would be focused on our state history but I would love to devote 5-10 minutes of each class to work on memorizing the states and their capitals. This is a 24 week class and we don't have access to a computer, though I would love some web links to pass on to the students' parents.

Does anyone have suggestions for methods of how to teach this? Any ideas for fun group games or competitions to make it more interesting? Anyone BTDT?

[AngieW in Texas]

http://www.mrsjonesroom.com/themes/usa.html

http://unknownprogrammer.home.comcast.net/~unknownprogrammer/states/sindex.htm
This one looks very good and you should be able to print out the pictures

[mcconnellboys]

Well, Geography Songs does do that, but there's some concern that learning things through songs isn't perhaps as good as learning them without music. And they'll always have to sing the song to remember in future, LOL..... We combine this approach with doing matching by sections of the country until we have them memorized. So, you could make up a list of the southeastern states in one column, with their capitals mixed up in another column. Allow them to study the capitals for those states, then let them try the matching to see how many they can remember on their own. Do similar things for the northeastern states, the Pacific states, mid-west, southwest, etc.

Regena

[Ferdie]

Angie - thanks for the great links. I love the song idea and the picture memory cards.

Regena - thanks for the suggestion of teaching by region. Great idea!

[Rosie_0801]

Jigsaw puzzles if you can find enough. That way they'll learn to remember where they are too.
:)
Rosie

[ELaurie]

Scrambled States (http://www.amazon.com/Gamewright-5505-Scrambled-States/dp/B0009XBY1W/ref=pd_bbs_sr_2?ie=UTF8&s=toys-and-games&qid=1205709818&sr=8-2) (book, game and card game)
and Sticker USA (http://www.rainbowresource.com/product/StickerUSA+Activity+Book+w-+CD/027966/1205709957-1155726)

Sticker USA comes with a CD that can be used to print posters, maps flash cards and more : )