The Textbooks

The We the People textbooks are designed for a wide range of student abilities and may be used as a supplemental text for a full semester of study. There are three versions available intended for upper elementary, middle, and high school students. A classroom set includes 30 student textbooks, a teacher's guide, and materials for performance assessment.

Upper Elementary Text

We the People Upper Elementary Textbook

This textbook is intended for Grades 4-6 and incorporates the following units:

• Unit 1: What Basic Ideas About Government Did the Founders Have?
• Unit 2: How Did the Framers Write our Constitution?
• Unit 3: How Does the Constitution Organize our Government?
• Unit 4: How Does the Constitution Protect our Basic Rights?
• Unit 5: What are the Responsibilities of Citizens?

Upper Elementary Sample Lesson Plans

Sample lesson plans for the upper elementary level include:

New We the People Level 2 Book

New We the People Level 2 Book

This book includes the following units:

• Unit 1: What were the Founders' Basic Ideas about Government?
• Unit 2: What Experience Shaped the Founders' Thinking about Government?

An Abobe Reader file on these units can be downloaded here: Unit 1 & 2 (12.0 Mb file).

Form information on the Virginia SoL at Level 2:

High School Text

This textbook is intended for Grades 10-12 and incorporates the following units:

• Unit 1: What are the Philosophical and Historical Foundations of the American Political System?
• Unit 2: How Did the Framers Create the Constitution?
• Unit 3: How Did the Values and Principles Embodied in the Constitution Shape American Institutions and Practices?
• Unit 4: How Have the Protections of the Bill of Rights Been Developed and Expanded?
• Unit 5: What Rights Does the Bill of Rights Protect?
• Unit 6: What Are the Role of the Citizens in American Democracy?

High School Sample Lesson Plans

Form information on the Virginia SoL at Level 3:

How to Obtain Textbooks

If you would like more information on how to obtain a set of textbooks, please contact the Virginia We the People State Coordinator, Andrew Washburn, on (540) 672-2728 x202, or fax (540) 672-0411. Alternatively use our contact form to email Andrew Washburn using the "We the People" contact option.

For We the People correlations to state standards outside of Virginia and how to obtain textbooks, please visit the Center for Civic Education website and selection your state.