This curriculum guide presents materials for teaching about Central America and emphasizes the concepts of environment, culture, interdependence, and citizenship. The guide is designed to integrate the study of geographic, economic, historic, political, and social features of Central American nations. The major theme of the document deals with how Central American people have been affected by their environment as they have attempted to fulfill their basic needs. Subtheme A concerns the environment and culture. There are seven learning strategies to aid teachers in developing this theme. They include the use of maps, photographs, charts, and worksheets. Subtheme B deals with Central America's past and present. Nine teaching strategies are presented including investigations about U.S. policy in Central America, the Sandinista revolution in Nicaragua, and background about the Panama Canal. Subtheme C is a study of economic inequality among the peoples of Central America. There are five teaching strategies comparing the rich and poor of Central America, showing income distribution, and discussing U.S. aid to Central America. Subtheme D is a study of the diverse cultures of the region. Strategies are presented to study the music, arts, crafts, food, recreation, family life, and different religions of Central America. The curriculum guide also includes: (1) instructions on how to use the guide; (2) themes and time allotments for social studies; (3) guidelines on how to develop participation projects; (4) a content outline; (5) suggestions for integrating social studies with science; (6) vocabulary terms matched with subthemes and strategies; and (7) teacher strategies and student worksheets. (SM)