Summary and Introduction
If You Were There When They Signed the Constitution, written by Elizabeth Levy and illustrated by Joan Holub is a great resource to use when teaching about the document. The book is broken into 50 sections which describe the key players during the time period, and the provisions of the Constitution in great detail. The book breaks a vast topic into smaller parts that students can easily digest. The author did an excellent job putting a confusing topic into terms that students will readily understand.
Curriculum Connections
This book would be a great resource to use when teaching about the weaknesses of the government established by the Articles of Confederation and the basic principles of the new government established by the Constitution and the Bill of Rights (VA SOL USI.7, a and b).
Additional Resources
- This page on Constitution Day lists a number of books and web sites useful for teachers and students.
- This webquest on the Articles of Confederation, Constitution, and Bill of Rights would be useful as an assessment activity.
- The Constitution for Kids website is a useful resource for additional information for students.
General Information:
Book: …If You Were There When They Signed the Constitution
Author: Elizabeth Levy
Illustrator: Joan Holub
Publisher: Scholastic Inc.
Publication Date: June 1992
Pages: 80
Grade Range: 4-6
ISBN: 0-590-45159-6