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South Dakota State Capitol
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Explore the South Dakota State Capitol and its recognizable dome with a coloring page and an informative reading passage about state government.
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Reading activity
Optional · Reading: Upper ElementaryAdd a reading worksheet
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Under the Capitol Dome
From the front lawn of the South Dakota State Capitol, a visitor can see a grand dome rising above the building in Pierre. A wide staircase leads to the entrance, while rows of windows and columns give the front a balanced appearance. The dome makes the capitol easy to recognize from a distance.
The capitol is more than a striking building. It is a place where state government does its work. South Dakota’s legislature meets there to consider and make state laws. The legislature has two groups, called the Senate and the House of Representatives. The governor also has an office in the building.
Construction of the capitol began in 1905, and the building was completed in 1910. Its design draws on classical architecture, a style inspired by ancient Greek and Roman buildings. Features such as columns and a large central dome give the capitol a formal appearance.
Inside, visitors can look up into the dome from the rotunda, a large circular space beneath it. Decorative details and colorful floor tiles add to the building’s character. The materials and artwork help tell the story of the people who built and cared for the capitol over time.
Pierre has been South Dakota’s capital since the state joined the United States in 1889. Today, the capitol remains both a working government building and a landmark. Its familiar dome stands above a place where decisions can affect people throughout the state.
Glossary
- dome: A rounded roof or structure shaped like part of a sphere.
- legislature: A group of people who consider and make laws.
- construction: The process of building something.
- architecture: The design and style of buildings.
- columns: Tall supports that can hold up or decorate a building.
Comprehension questions
What is the main idea of the passage, and which two details support it?
How does the dome help make the capitol recognizable?
How are the Senate and the House of Representatives alike?
What does the presence of the governor’s office and the legislature tell you about the capitol’s role?
How do the columns and dome connect the capitol to classical architecture?
What can visitors learn about the capitol’s history from its materials and artwork?
Why does the author begin by describing the view from the front lawn?
What does the word “landmark” mean as it is used in the passage?
How does the passage move from describing the outside of the capitol to explaining what happens there?
How is the capitol both a government building and a landmark?
Printables & worksheets
More ways to practice with this story — every sheet is built from the text itself, answer key included where it counts.
Get all 4 sheets as one workbook
One PDF with a cover, a contents page and every answer key at the back — color the page in, then keep going on paper.
vocabulary
Match the passage words to their meanings, then fill the missing words back into real sentences.
writing prompts
Two writing tasks that build on the passage, with plenty of lines to write on.
Explore the South Dakota State Capitol
Download this free coloring page for a closer look at the capitol’s dome, columns, and front entrance. It’s a printable coloring page for upper elementary students learning about places and state government.
The coloring page comes with the reading passage “Under the Capitol Dome,” comprehension questions, and a glossary. Use these resources together to practice reading and discuss how state government works.
Print the page for classroom lessons or at-home learning. Browse more free coloring pages to explore other places and topics.