George Washington and the Story of the U.S. Constitution

From the Series History Speaks: Picture Books Plus Reader's Theater

  • Interest Level: Grade 2 - Grade 4
  • Reading Level: Grade 3

Late in the spring of 1787, fifty-five men gathered at the Pennsylvania State House. They came to write a new constitution for the United States. The leader of this Constitutional Convention was George Washington. The other men were delegates.

The men knew it would be hard for them all to agree on what the constitution should say. But they also knew that a new constitution was important. The young country was in trouble. It had no main leader. Instead, a lawmaking body—the U.S. Congress—ran the country. But Congress didn’t have enough power. Some delegates thought the national government needed to be stronger. Others did not. Would they be able to cooperate and write a constitution together?

In the back of the book, you’ll find a script and instructions for putting on a Reader’s Theater performance of this event. At our companion website—www.lerneresource.com—you can download additional copies of the script plus sound effects, background images, and more ideas that will help make your Reader’s Theater performance a success.

Format Your Price Add
978-0-7613-7257-8
$31.99
Available at all major wholesalers and distributors. Save 25% off list price on hardcovers and ebooks when you buy direct! Digital purchases will be accessed on Lerner Digital Bookshelf. An account will be created for you after purchase.
Interest Level Grade 2 - Grade 4
Reading Level Grade 3
Genre Picture Books, Social Studies
Publisher Lerner Publishing Group
Imprint Millbrook Press ™
Language English
Publication Date 2011-01-01
Reading Counts! Level 3.2
Text Type Fiction—Historical
BISACS JUV016120
Dewey 973.4
Graphics Full-color illustrations
Lexile 540
Guided Reading Level P
ATOS Reading Level 4.8
Accelerated Reader® Quiz 142468
Accelerated Reader® Points 1.0
Features Author/Illustrator note, Bibliography/further reading, Glossary, Original artwork, Pronunciation guide, Table of contents, Teaching Guides, and eSource

Author: Candice Ransom

Candice Ransom is the author of 150 books for children. She holds an MFA from Vermont College and an MA in children's literature from Hollins University. She currently teaches in Hollins University's graduate program in children's literature.

Illustrator: Jeni Reeves

Jeni Reeves is a painter and children's book illustrator with a background in communication and fine arts. Her illustrated picture books include authors' stories about world culture, history, biography, and folklore. Travel and study fuel Jeni's work, as does an abiding interest in history and language.

Lerner eSource™ offers free digital teaching and learning resources, including Common Core State Standards (CCSS) teaching guides. These guides, created by classroom teachers, offer short lessons and writing exercises that give students specific instruction and practice using Common Core skills and strategies. Lerner eSource also provides additional resources including online activities, downloadable/printable graphic organizers, and additional educational materials that would also support Common Core instruction. Download, share, pin, print, and save as many of these free resources as you like!

History Speaks: Picture Books Plus Reader's Theater

Bring to life important stories from U.S. history with the History Speaks: Picture Books Plus Reader’s Theater. These books bring together illustrated picture books with reader’s theater scripts for students to practice fluency. In the back of each book, you’ll… View available downloads →