American History Second Semester Curriculum Package (Young Adult Edition): A Hands-On Journey Through the Birth and Growth of a Nation

Take your high school students on a powerful, immersive exploration of early American history with the Young Adult American History Second Semester Curriculum Package. This thoughtfully designed program invites students to grapple with the complexities, triumphs, and tragedies that shaped the United States, offering mature discussion topics, advanced resources, and hands-on projects that bring history to life.

This complete, stand-alone package includes six themed boxes with extended lesson plans, reading lists, and educator resources that encourage critical thinking and creativity. Perfect for homeschool families, independent study, or classrooms earning high school credit, this curriculum helps students see American history through a nuanced, inclusive, and engaging lens.

What’s Inside?

This Young Adult edition includes six themed boxes, each focused on a pivotal chapter in early American history. Each box offers hands-on activities, deeper context, and expanded educator prompts designed for learners ages 16 and up:

1. The French & Indian War:  Before he fought in the American Revolution, before he accepted the presidency, George Washington did something else: he started a world war! Discover what life looked like for soldiers, natives, colonists, and children during this time of conflict.
2. Revolution: Don’t just learn about the Revolution, experience it with all of your senses! Drink liberty tea while learning about the Boston Tea Party. Read about Paul Revere’s ride by the light of a tin punch lantern. Deepen your understanding of the Constitution and then try your hand with quill and ink.
3. Missions: On the west coast of America, the Spanish soldiers and missionaries were a very active part of colonial America. Explore the ways of native life and how things changed as people from two continents came together.
4. Lewis & Clark: Explore North America with the adventurous Corps of Discovery as they catalog animal and plant life, meet new indigenous tribes, and bring colonial ideas to new parts of the country.
5. Going West: The trickle of movement westward became a flood as gold, land, and forced relocation pushed people from all walks of life further west. This box covers the Gold Rush, the Oregon Trail, and the Trail of Tears in a relatable, memorable way.
6. Civil War: See how difficulties starting at the very beginning of colonial America came to a boiling point in the 1800’s as the nation struggled for survival. Meet Harriet Tubman and learn about the real Underground Railroad. Read Abraham Lincoln’s writing and learn about the state-of-the-art communication method he used during war time: Morse Code. Find out about the forgotten soldiers of the Civil War and discover how natives, immigrants, women, and both enslaved and free Black individuals changed history.

Each box is designed to challenge students to think beyond dates and battles, exploring how ordinary and extraordinary people alike shaped the American story.

Why Choose the Young Adult American History Curriculum?

This secular, high school-level curriculum goes beyond memorization to foster real understanding and thoughtful discussion. With creative projects, advanced readings, and critical analysis, students explore multiple perspectives and develop a more complete view of America’s past.

Perfect for students earning high school history credit, enriching their humanities education, or pursuing independent study, this curriculum helps learners connect with history in meaningful, memorable ways.

Product Details

• Includes six themed boxes with extended lesson plans, advanced reading lists, and educator resources

• Covers a full semester of high school-level early American history

• Designed for students ages 16+ / grades 10–12

• Secular, inclusive, and adaptable for homeschool, classroom, or independent learning

• Welcome Boxes with introductory materials and high school history guides are available separately

• Please see our FAQs for additional information

Help your students understand America’s early history with depth and insight. Order the Young Adult American History Second Semester Curriculum Package today and bring the story of a nation to life.