The social studies guideline offers a plan for teaching about North America to fifth grade students. The objective of the unit is to teach about North America as a system rather than as two sub-sections of the land mass. A new comparative approach is offered involving the pairing of population centers both large and small from various sections of the land mass. Such comparisons show the sameness of people yet show different cultural heritages and living styles. Population centers and their comparative study also lend themselves to an interdisciplinary and conceptual approach in the social studies. The exemplary unit, open-ended so that additions can be made by individuals using it, specifically compares Detroit with Montreal. Outlines are included on major objectives, central concepts, knowledge and information, habits and skills to be achieved, values and appreciations of two cities, approach and introduction, content, selection of materials, important outcomes, culminating activities, and evaluation. The major portion of the document includes three appendices: A) Background information on Detroit containing history and a description as it is today; B) Current Bibliography of Children's Books and Trade Books on Canada and the United States; and C) A Description of Montreal. (Author)