National Geographic Learning U.S. History: American Stories
HARNESS THE POWER OF EXPLORATION AND STORYTELLING TO INSPIRE CURIOSITY WITH NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC LEARNING U.S. HISTORY: AMERICAN STORIES
About This Program
National Geographic Learning U.S. History: American Stories* brings history to life through powerful photography, engaging National Geographic articles, and the unique “American Stories” feature that highlights diverse voices and experiences. Designed to foster inquiry and critical thinking, this program includes primary sources, Document-Based Questions (DBQs), and project-based learning opportunities. Students explore key events and themes in U.S. history through hands-on inquiry projects and rich visual storytelling. Also available in a split edition: U.S. History: American Stories—Beginnings to 1877
*Print and digital student editions available in Spanish.
National Geographic Learning U.S. History: American Stories
- Unit 1: Early Encounters (Beginnings to 1650)
- Unit 2: English Settlement (1585–1763)
- Unit 3: A New Nation (1763–1791)
- Unit 4: The Early Republic (1789–1844)
- Unit 5: Pushing National Boundaries (1821–1860)
- Unit 6: Civil War and Reconstruction (1846–1877)
- Unit 7: America On the Move (1860–1920)
- Unit 8: Twentieth-Century Crises (1914–1945)
- Unit 9: Postwar America (1945–1973)
- Unit 10: America in a Changing World (1969–Present)
National Geographic Learning U.S. History: American Stories—Beginnings to 1877
- Unit 1: Early Encounters (Beginnings to 1650)
- Unit 2: English Settlement (1585–1763)
- Unit 3: A New Nation (1763–1791)
- Unit 4: The Early Republic (1789–1844)
- Unit 5: Pushing National Boundaries (1821–1860)
- Unit 6: Civil War and Reconstruction (1846–1877)
Student Edition and Digital Learning Path
- College and Career Readiness Activities+
- Project-Based Learning+
- Collaborative Projects+
- Unit Inquiry Projects+
- National Geographic Photography
- Unit Time Lines+
- Essential Questions and Main Ideas+
- American Stories+
- National Geographic Explorer Articles+
- Geography in History+
- Material Culture+
- National Geographic MapMaker*
- National Geographic Video Library*
- Special Features to the Edition Include:
- Celebrating 250 Years+
- The Story of a Continent+
- Civil War Photo Essay+
- Native American Confederacies & Nations+
- Native Americans: The First Conservationists+
- Modified Text (presents the same content at two grade levels below the targeted grade)*
- ReadSpeaker (an audio version of the text)*
Reinforcement and Practice Options
- Exploration Notebook+
- Vocabulary Practice+
- Reading & Note-Taking Practice+
- Document-Based Questions (DBQ) Templates+
- Chapter and Unit Reviews+
Extra Materials
- American Stories Library*+
- Exploration Notebook+
- National Geographic Atlas*
- Primary Source Collection+
- Student Handbooks (Citizenship, Geography & Environment, Middle School U.S. History Skills, Economics & Government, World Religions, 50 States, U.S. Presidents, Supreme Court Cases, and Financial Literacy)*+
*Digital only.
+Available in Spanish (print and digital for U.S. History: American Stories only).
Teacher Editions and Digital Features
- Professional Development Articles
- Course Customization
- Lesson, Chapter, and Unit Plans; Guided Discussions; Graphic Organizers; and Grading Rubrics
- Editable PowerPoints*
- Differentiated Instruction
- Active Learning Options
- National Geographic Video Library*
- National Geographic MapMaker*
- Differentiation Suggestions and Reading Strategies
- Suggested Student Responses
- Reporting and Analytics*
- C3 Framework Labeling Within the Teacher’s Edition
- Depth of Knowledge (DOK) Labeling on All Historical Thinking Questions
Assessment and Practice
- Grading Assignments and Assessments with Gradebook*
- Test Bank*
- Assignable eAssessments*
- Customizable and Printable Formative and Summative Assessments*
Extra Materials
- Graphic Organizer Library*
- English and Spanish Glossaries
- Primary Source Collection
- Student Handbooks (Citizenship, Geography & Environment, Middle School U.S. History Skills, Economics & Government, World Religions, 50 States, U.S. Presidents, Supreme Court Cases, and Financial Literacy)*
- Handbook Answer Keys*
*Digital only.
National Geographic Learning U.S. History: American Stories Unit 1: Early Encounters (Beginnings to 1650) Unit 2: English Settlement (1585–1763) Unit 3: A New Nation (1763–1791) Unit 4: The Early Republic (1789–1844) Unit 5: Pushing National Boundaries (1821–1860) Unit 6: Civil War and Reconstruction (1846–1877) Unit 7: America On the Move (1860–1920) Unit 8: Twentieth-Century Crises (1914–1945) Unit 9: Postwar America (1945–1973) Unit 10: America in a Changing World (1969–Present) National Geographic Learning U.S. History: American Stories—Beginnings to 1877 Unit 1: Early Encounters (Beginnings to 1650) Unit 2: English Settlement (1585–1763) Unit 3: A New Nation (1763–1791) Unit 4: The Early Republic (1789–1844) Unit 5: Pushing National Boundaries (1821–1860) Unit 6: Civil War and Reconstruction (1846–1877)
Student Edition and Digital Learning Path College and Career Readiness Activities+ Project-Based Learning+ Collaborative Projects+ Unit Inquiry Projects+ National Geographic Photography Unit Time Lines+ Essential Questions and Main Ideas+ American Stories+ National Geographic Explorer Articles+ Geography in History+ Material Culture+ National Geographic MapMaker* National Geographic Video Library* Special Features to the Edition Include: Celebrating 250 Years+ The Story of a Continent+ Civil War Photo Essay+ Native American Confederacies & Nations+ Native Americans: The First Conservationists+ Modified Text (presents the same content at two grade levels below the targeted grade)* ReadSpeaker (an audio version of the text)* Reinforcement and Practice Options Exploration Notebook+ Vocabulary Practice+ Reading & Note-Taking Practice+ Document-Based Questions (DBQ) Templates+ Chapter and Unit Reviews+ Extra Materials American Stories Library*+ Exploration Notebook+ National Geographic Atlas* Primary Source Collection+ Student Handbooks (Citizenship, Geography & Environment, Middle School U.S. History Skills, Economics & Government, World Religions, 50 States, U.S. Presidents, Supreme Court Cases, and Financial Literacy)*+ *Digital only. +Available in Spanish (print and digital for U.S. History: American Stories only).
Teacher Editions and Digital Features Professional Development Articles Course Customization Lesson, Chapter, and Unit Plans; Guided Discussions; Graphic Organizers; and Grading Rubrics Editable PowerPoints* Differentiated Instruction Active Learning Options National Geographic Video Library* National Geographic MapMaker* Differentiation Suggestions and Reading Strategies Suggested Student Responses Reporting and Analytics* C3 Framework Labeling Within the Teacher’s Edition Depth of Knowledge (DOK) Labeling on All Historical Thinking Questions Assessment and Practice Grading Assignments and Assessments with Gradebook* Test Bank* Assignable eAssessments* Customizable and Printable Formative and Summative Assessments* Extra Materials Graphic Organizer Library* English and Spanish Glossaries Primary Source Collection Student Handbooks (Citizenship, Geography & Environment, Middle School U.S. History Skills, Economics & Government, World Religions, 50 States, U.S. Presidents, Supreme Court Cases, and Financial Literacy)* Handbook Answer Keys* *Digital only.
Learn Like an Explorer!
National Geographic Learning U.S. History: American Stories includes:
- Alignment to the College, Career, and Civic Life (C3) Framework approach with labeling for the educator, including hands-on activities and project-based learning modules that promote student inquiry and critical thinking
- Effective pedagogy through classroom dialogue and questioning
- Individual, small group, and whole class activities with guided learning and structured group projects
- Critical thinking skills, engaging American stories, and access to primary and secondary sources with DBQs
- Embedded lesson plans with hands-on mapping activities with Esri® StoryMaps and National Geographic MapMaker
- Empowering educator resources including lesson plans, discussion questions, Depth of Knowledge (DOK) labeling for Historical Thinking questions, formative assessments to check student understanding, and more
Engaging Stories and Activities
With the captivating approach of National Geographic Learning, students explore a curriculum that vividly brings American history to life. Immersive stories and interactive activities help students gain a hands-on, practical understanding of key historical events and themes.
Collaborative and Inclusive Learning Strategies
Foster collaboration using National Geographic resources designed to engage all learners through a variety of instructional approaches. These resources support the development of critical thinking, research skills, map and data literacy, and document-based questioning—ensuring every student has the opportunity to connect with content in meaningful ways.
Empower Educators to Support Students
Easy-to-use, customizable materials encourage flexibility. The Teacher’s Edition includes ready-to-use resources such as Project-Based Learning, Active Learning options, and flexible and editable PowerPoint presentations, which provide multiple activity opportunities for students.
