Countries & Capitals Match-Ups

Countries & Capitals Match-Ups lesson plan

Quick, what’s the capital of Chile? Indonesia? Ghana? Create and play this game to remember countries, capitals, flags, and other facts.

  • 1.

    There’s nothing like a matching game to help you remember math facts, dates, and other information. Here’s a game to help you and a partner study country (or state or province) capitals, flags, or other information.

  • 2.

    Decorate a game box. With Crayola® Scissors, cut paper to cover a recycled box. Decorate it with Crayola Erasable Colored Pencils. They erase easily if you change your mind! Attach the paper to the box with Crayola School Glue. Air-dry the glue.

  • 3.

    Make your matching cards. Cut at least 36 cards from recycled file folders. Measure them so that they are all the same size. Color one side with the same design.

  • 4.

    Using the countries and capitals that you are studying, write the name, outline a map, list the capital city, or write a fact about the country. Make at least two cards for each country. Make at least 18 sets of cards so you can challenge your skills.

  • 5.

    Play! Place all cards face down. Take turns trying to find a match. When you’ve mastered all of the information, exchange cards with your classmates. Create new cards with different countries and capitals, too.

Standards

  • LA: Read with sufficient accuracy and fluency to support comprehension.
  • LA: Know and use various text features to locate key facts or information in a text efficiently.
  • LA: Present information, findings, and supporting evidence such that listeners can follow the line of reasoning and the organization, development, and style are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience.
  • SS: Use appropriate resources, data sources, and geographic tools to generate, manipulate, and interpret information.
  • VA: Use different media, techniques, and processes to communicate ideas, experiences, and stories.
  • VA: Use visual structures of art to communicate ideas.

Adaptations

  • In small groups, students determine additional information to include on their cards, such as population data, geographical facts, customs, historical landmarks, famous leaders, or rivers.
  • This game can be adapted for any subject, such as learning a World Language, or math concepts.