Forging a Nation, a curriculum guide for teachers of grades 7 through 9 as they plan instructional programs in American Studies, is part of a total effort to revise curriculum to fit the quinmester administrative organization of schools. Primary emphasis is upon using the topic of the American Revolution as a basis for studying conflict and change. This course of study deals with events, personalities, ideas, and with examination of the differing American and British interpretations of the revolution. Course content includes outlined units on: the American Colonies and Colonial government; French and English rivalry in North America; change in British Colonial policy; reasons for declaring independence; factors which contributed to the winning of the war; and reasons for establishing a new nation. A learning activities section provides a picture of the main idea and specific behavioral objectives for a set of learning activities. A listing of class materials that includes texts, films, filmstrips and games is included. Related documents are: SO 002 708 through SO 002 718, and SO 002 768 through SO 002 792. (Author/SJM)