Second Grade · History · week 16

California cities hunt

Locate major California cities on a state map, including the state capital.

California is a big state with many cities. Some are huge, like Los Angeles, and some are smaller. Every state also has one city that is its capital -- the city where the state's government works. California's capital is Sacramento.

A capital city is not always the biggest city in a state -- it is just the one chosen to be the government's home base. In California, Los Angeles is the biggest city, but Sacramento is the capital.

📋 For the teacher
Teach it (10–15 min):
  • Look at a California map together and find Sacramento (the capital) and Los Angeles (the biggest city) -- point out they are different cities.
  • Find your own town or city on the map, and figure out roughly which direction the capital is from you.
  • Use a grid or map key if your map has one, applying skills from earlier weeks.
  • Talk about one thing that makes each city you find special or well-known.
Talk about it:
  • What is the capital of California?
  • Is the capital the same as the biggest city? Why or why not?
  • Which California city would you most like to visit?

Mastery looks like: They can locate Sacramento as the state capital and several other major California cities on a map.

Common stumbles: Assuming the capital must be the biggest city, or confusing a big city's name with the capital's name.

Homework for this lessonType it, write it with a stylus, or print it for pencil & paper.open →
Records attendance + 15 min of History for this learner.
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