This social studies curriculum integrates the study of geographic, economic, historic, political and social features of nations in the Western Hemisphere with the development of key concepts and skills. While this curriculum focuses on the geographic and economic features of countries in the Western Hemisphere, it gives equal weight to the history and culture of each region studied. The curriculum is designed to help students understand that the environment influences but does not determine culture. Human beings make choices about what to do with their environment and these choices are influenced as much by history as by geography. This curriculum also emphasizes the interdependencies that have linked and continued to link people in the Western Hemisphere. Through the process of cultural diffusion, ideas, values, and products have been exchanged between societies, and changes have resulted from these cross-cultural contacts. An appreciation of the connectedness as well as the diversity of the various nations in the Western Hemisphere will promote an understanding in students of the links between nations today. This bulletin contains teaching strategies, springboard activities, and worksheets. (BZ)