This U.S. history curriculum guide, based upon historical essays written by Richard B. Bernstein, is part of the 'Crossroads' curriculum project. The elementary school component of the 'Crossroads' curriculum introduces students to the important things about the world they live in, the nation that they are a part of, the connection between the lives they lead and roots to the past, and the historical structure of chronology. The guide is intended for students in grades K-5 and is divided into three parts. Part 1 contains eight units and is a series of lessons for grades K-2 organized around national holidays and other events often included in primary level instruction. The main emphasis is on integrating historical study with language arts. The lessons are aimed at telling historically accurate stories. Part 2 contains six units and is a series of lessons for grades 3-4 that introduce students to a chronological study of U.S. history by examining the Civil War and Reconstruction through nonfiction literary sources and library research. Part 3 contains six units for students in grade 5, and examines the United States after the Civil War to the present. Emphasis is placed on research and nonfiction sources of information. Each unit is comprised of the content to be covered, a teacher's rationale, a table of contents, and detailed lessons and activities. (LB)