A constitutional crisis is gripping the U.S., and those who are paying attention know it. Teaching students to be responsible citizens is our duty as educators. Our daily words and actions matter, but these turbulent times demand more from us.
A sovereign country needs an educated populace that believes in the rule of law. To ensure a thriving USA, it’s crucial now more than ever for our children to understand their civic rights and responsibilities before becoming adults.
I discovered two books at my local free library that explain the US Constitution’s history and purposes.
We The People The Story Of Our Constitution
Author: Lynne Cheney
Illustrator: Greg Harin
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
Released: January 3, 2012
Format: Hard Cover, Paperback, Kindle (Amazon)
ISBN: 978-1-4169-5418-7
Age Range: 6-10 years
Grade Level: Kindergarten-4th
Reviewer: Ellwyn Autumn
Rating: 5 Lemon Drops
Hardcover and Paperback Available on Thrift Books
Book Summary:
We The People chronicles the tumultuous period before and during the creation of the United States Constitution.
It opens on October 19, 1781 with the ending of the Revolutionary War. Citizens of the emerging country were hopeful but this optimism was short-lived. The Articles of Confederation weren’t working.
The United States couldn’t pay its bills and other countries were taking advantage of the situation. At one point, farmers in Massachusetts, frustrated with their own debts, rose up against the government. Americans were getting killed.
In 1787, a convention was held in Philadelphia to prevent a government collapse. The attendees were charged with revising the Articles of Confederation. A distinguished list of patriots with differing opinions on how to revise the Articles of Confederation led to hot tempers and heated arguments.
After much debate and compromise the US Constitution was drafted. The process began on May 25, 1787; the US Constitution was approved on September 17, 1787.
Mini Review:
A wonderful and authentic history of the US Constitution’s conception. This book doesn’t understate what really happened. The men who gathered to revise the Articles of Confederation, argued and raged about topics like States’ rights, slavery and how representatives were chosen.
George Mason, a Delegate from Virginia is quoted, “Slaves bring the judgement of heaven on a country.”
There are many more quotes from prominent historical figures included throughout the book and anecdotes on aspects of their daily lives. The paintings are reminiscent of the time period they depict.
I highly recommend to anyone who wants to introduce their children to the history of the US Constitution.
I give it 5 Lemon Drops!
The Constitution Decoded
Author: Katie Kennedy
Illustrator: Ben Kirchner
Publisher: Workman Publishing Company
Released: September 1, 2020
Format: Paperback, Kindle (Amazon)
ISBN: 978-1523510443
Age Range: 8-11 years
Grade Level: 5th-9th
Reviewer: Ellwyn Autumn
Rating: Lemon Drops
Paperback available on Thriftbooks
Book Summary:
Book Blurb:
It’s hard to be a good citizen if you don’t know your rights and responsibilities. The Constitution Decoded helps us all understand where the ideas that formed our country came from, and what we need to know to shape our future.
Be an active citizen. Know your Constitution!
Ever wonder why the president has a Cabinet? Why there’s such thing as trial by jury? Why someday you’ll have to pay income tax, or why there are no Dukes, Duchesses, Counts, or Countesses in the United States? Because the Constitution says so––and so much more.
And now, in The Constitution Decoded, the ideas, concepts, and rules that make America are unpacked and explained in detail to help all of us, kids and parents too, become more informed citizens.
Written with impeccable clarity and illustrated in a style that brings America’s early days to life, this fascinating guide goes through the Constitution literally word by word, sentence by sentence, and idea by idea to give readers a true understanding of not only how the Framers envisioned the United States, but also why they made the choices they did.
Here’s why, for example, the United States has three branches of government—legislative, executive, and judicial. It explains how bills become laws, why we have the right to free speech, how we can change the Constitution as our country evolves, and so much more.
Packed with historical context and figures, vocabulary, anecdotes, and trivia, this book is an accessible yet richly layered work that belongs in every family library.
Mini Review:
The Constitution Decoded is a great tool to help educate young people in the U.S. about their country. The book’s large print and colorful illustrations draw the reader in as they learn about the origins of the document that founded the U.S. government. Diverse and inclusive illustrations present an accurate representation of the nation’s population.
From the preamble to the amendments, youngsters will gain a solid foundation of the Constitution and their rights as citizens of the United States of America.
Other topics presented in the book include:
*Influential figures who advanced our nation’s ethics and justice through their contributions. (George Washington, Frederick Douglas, Dred Scott, Sojourner Truth, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Richard Oakes, and many more!)
*An analysis of the division of powers among federal, state, and local governments.
*Key dates in national history, their impact on the nation, and the Constitution.
*Eligible Voters
*A chapter is dedicated to each Article. First, you’ll find the original article, then a kid-friendly version.
*Important words are on each page, with a glossary of key terms in the back.
*Another resource I highly recommend for a deeper dive into the study of our nation’s laws.
I give it 5 Lemon Drops!
Additional Books from the Free Library:
We The People The United States Constitution Explored And Explained
By: Aura Lewis $ Evan Sargent
National Geographic The Constitution
By: Paul Finkelman
Image by John Hain from Pixabay
Resources:
Youtube Videos About The Constitution
Teacher Pay Teachers Constitution Resources
https://www.civiced.org/images/stories/downloads/United_States_Constitution_for_Kids.pdf
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