This volume presents a framework for teaching eighth grade U.S. history up to 1830 using an integrated humanities perspective that includes art, architecture, literature, religion, music, and dance as applied to everyday colonial life. The 28 activities are presented in standard format, including a brief introduction, list of objectives, time required, necessary materials, and step-by-step procedure. Black-line handout masters are also included. A master chart lists activity titles, historical topics, time periods covered, and an activity description. The first activity presents a cultural universals chart which helps students identify lifestyle differences among the colonies. The second activity, a research project on family life in the early 1800s, includes a two-page question guide. Other activities used include discussion, hypothesizing, inferring, writing, simulation, brainstorming, map interpretation, diary reading, timelines, singing, and local community study. Some of the 28 titles include "Skulls and Angels: Gravestones and Epitaphs in New England Church Yards"; "The Boston Massacre: Recognizing Bias in Primary Sources"; "Dear Diary: New England Daily Life in the 1820s"; "Classical Influence on American Culture"; and "Using Folk Songs to Teach about Slavery." Primary source material is used throughout many of the activities. Two bibliographies are included. The framework provided by this guide can be applied to other historical eras. (CBC)