Throughout history humans have dreamed of a better life. This concept of utopia can be used as a central focus for thematic and interdisciplinary instruction. This approach has three key advantages. First, students recognize that certain themes are consistent across time and place and that realization can lead students to explore their own dreams…

As a focal point for their unit on Anglo-Saxon England, the reading of "Beowulf" led fourth and fifth graders into a variety of learning projects: creating monsters, writing sagas, tracing the tale's geography, and role playing Saxon life and customs. (SJL)

This survey course is one of the several quinmester courses for grades 10-12 clustering around world studies. Emphasis is upon the social change taking place during the 14-17th centuries with students analyzing the impact of the Renaissance and Reformation on Western society. Although the content focuses on history, other social science…