Colonial America & the Early Years of the Republic

America was built upon the writings, thoughts, and genius of her founders, and learning about the founding documents is a critical part of any American History course.

Find primary documents and curriculum, workbooks, and other homeschool resources on the Declaration of Independence (1776), Federalist Papers (1787-1788), Constitution (1787), Bill of Rights (1791), Common Sense (1776), & Rights of Man (1791) in our Founding Documents Shop.

This Classical Conversations original anthology in the Copper Lodge Library series proves that “it’s time to celebrate heroes again!”  This one-volume collection of history stories, carefully researched and compiled by Classical Conversations staff, will whisk readers back to the years of the American colonies and the young United States of America.  Black & white vintage images and photographs introduce and illustrate biographical excerpts of the most famous figures in American history, balancing their flaws and imperfections with the bravery, hard work, perseverance, and innovation that it took to build a new country. These easy-to-read tales explore the lives of men and women like George Washington, Dolly Madison, Harriet Tubman, and Martin Luther King, Jr., and include personal quotes and informative footnotes. 328 pages, softcover. Grade 8.

John Hancock liked to be liked. He liked to hear the "huzzahs" of the people around him. He liked to be at the head of the parade. Jean Fritz brings history alive again with her account of John Hancock's life as a child, businessman, and Massachusetts representative. 47 pages, softcover.

Poet, Pilgrim, Rebel by Katie Munday Williams, and illustrated by Tania Rex, is the true story of Anne Bradstreet, a Puritan woman who overcame the obstacles facing women of her era to become the first published American poet---and one of the most famous poets in history. Late at night, with her children tucked into bed and her husband away on business, Anne Dudley Bradstreet composed poems by candlelight. She let her thoughts from the day tumble out, memorizing each poem line by line before daring to shape the words onto scraps of scarce parchment. Puritan women in the 1600s weren't allowed to be writers. But when the world learned about Anne's poetry, even she was astonished by what happened next. Recommended for ages 5 to 8 years.