Halifax Independent School is a small K-9 school where children learn in multi-age groups and in a setting where all the core subjects are integrated into the study of interesting themes such as Oceans, Nova Scotia, and Living Things. These themes last a whole year, involve the whole elementary school, and are designed to cover traditional subject areas such as language arts, social studies, and science. Teachers outline the broad areas of study each year, but students have a lot of say in the topics they delve into. This inquiry approach grew out of one of the principles of the whole language movement of the 70s: purposeful situations and authentic materials provide the best literacy learning. Children are motivated to learn to read and write when there is a real reason that makes sense to them to do so. This article describes a Theme Learning or inquiry classroom at Halifax Independent School, where a group of six- and seven-year-olds in a multi-age class studying the geology of Nova Scotia are divided into groups to study particular minerals (which they have chosen). The teaching methodology at Halifax Independent School has produced children who love to read, are excited about learning, and who continue to learn throughout their lives.