American Leaders & Innovators: Colonial Times to the Reconstruction provides biographical sketches that help students identify American leaders and innovators of the past as real people. The biographies deal briefly and concisely with people who helped make the republic great. Each lesson includes a reading selection with background information on the person being profiled, as well as a recalling key details page and an activity page. Activities are focused on using the informational text to develop reading comprehension skills. Profiles include Benjamin Franklin, Tecumseh, Harriet Beecher Stowe, and Blanche Kelso Bruce. Activities include: - Graphic organizers - Timelines - Discussion questions - Map analysis - Creative writing - Artistic projects - Research opportunities Correlated to current national and state standards