Ten riddles about state capitals fill page 1 of this 3-page 4th grade social studies sheet, each solved with a name from a 10-word bank such as Juneau, Boston and Phoenix. The clues use the Boston Tea Party, Denver sitting about a mile above sea level, and Alaska's capital being reachable only by boat or plane. On page 2, students write two riddles of their own in a pair of frames, with room for two clues each. Page 3 has the answers and a note for checking student riddles.
“Use clues about a state's history or geography to identify its capital.”
Riddles 1 to 10 each give the state and one fact.
“Write accurate clues about a capital city.”
Page 2 asks for two clues per riddle.
A word bank of ten capitals runs above numbered riddles that each end with a short blank. Every clue names the state and adds one fact, such as the island of Oahu for Honolulu or the 16th president for Lincoln. Each capital is used once.
Two boxes, each with an opening line (I am the capital of), two clue lines and a blank for the answer. Students trade with a classmate to solve them.
The ten answers, then a note that student riddles will vary and that the state, clues and capital should match.
Cover the word bank
Hide the word bank on the first read and see how many students answer from memory. Then show it to everyone else. The gap shows who needs more practice.
Los Angeles riddle
Riddle 6 deals with a common mix-up. Ask who guessed Los Angeles, then ask why the largest city is not always the capital.
Riddle swap
Pair students for page 2 and have each pair solve the other's riddles. A riddle with no clue beyond the state name needs one more fact before it is fair.
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