Bring history to life with this 163-page, literature-rich, hands-on Early American History Curriculum for grades 3–5! Students travel through America’s story—from the Native Peoples of North America to European exploration, colonization, revolution, westward expansion, and the Civil War—covering the years 1400–1877 A.D.
Designed for both homeschool families and classrooms, this flexible, family-style course is completely open-and-go, requiring minimal prep and only simple supplies. Every lesson is engaging, meaningful, and rooted in rich stories and interactive learning.
What Students Will Learn
✔️ Key events and influential figures from Native Peoples through Reconstruction
✔️ Geography, government, and culture through hands-on activities
✔️ Historical literacy through structured reading, journaling, and discussion
✔️ Critical thinking skills through comprehension questions and unit quizzes
✔️ Appreciation of history through living books, picture books, biographies, and historical fiction
Students will also complete creative projects such as maps, crafts, journals, and even a strategy game like Race to the New World!
What’s Included
This full-year course is divided into 8 thematic units:
- Native Peoples of North America
- Age of Exploration
- Colonial America
- Road to Revolution
- The American Revolution
- Forming a New Nation
- The New Republic & Westward Expansion
- Civil War & Reconstruction
You’ll also receive:
- Student-friendly Unit Introduction Cards
- Step-by-step How to Teach a Unit guide
- Picture book & chapter book reading lists
- Quizzes, crafts, games, and writing activities
- Full answer keys
Schedule & Format
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4–6 lessons per unit (32 weeks of instruction)
- 30–45 minutes per lesson
- Designed for ages 8–11 (Grades 3–5)
- Perfect for family-style learning
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Open-and-go with minimal supplies needed
Standards Alignment
This curriculum aligns with major national and state social studies standards for grades 3–5, including:
C3 Framework (Grades 3–5):
- Geography, History, Civics, and Economics inquiry
- Chronology, cause & effect, and multiple perspectives
State Standards Covered:
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3rd Grade: Geography, Native American cultures, community life, democracy, Constitution
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4th Grade: California and early U.S. settlement foundations
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5th Grade: Pre-Columbian settlements, exploration, colonial life, independence, Constitution, westward expansion, Civil War & Reconstruction
For full standards documentation, click here.
This is the Digital Download version. It includes over 160 pages of full-color. Both printer-friendly less color (no blue background), as well as a full-color (includes blue background) versions are included with the Digital Download.
For the printed version click here.
