The 15 lessons in this step-by-step guide for grades 4-8 are intended to promote the development of thinking skills through the use of databases. These lesson plans, which include specific instructions for using Microsoft Works, constitute a complete unit on the states of the United States. A disk containing 16 files for use with the lessons is available separately as well as a set of worksheet and transparency masters. While this unit is designed for use in grades 4-8, the scripted lessons are aimed at grades 5-6, so some adjustment may be necessary to meet the needs and abilities of other grades. It is noted that some teachers will want to use the lesson plans and masters merely as guides; others may find that the materials meet their needs exactly. It is also noted that the lessons are designed to be adaptable to any database program and any curriculum area. Appended materials include instructions for copying data file and data disks; a list of files on the data disk; a 27-item bibliography; worksheet answers; a glossary; a list of the accompanying transparencies and worksheets; and reprints of 15 related articles from "The Computing Teacher": (1) "The Database: Getting to Know You" (Larry Hannah); (2) "Teaching Database Search Strategies" (Larry Hannah); (3) "Brontosaurus Meets the Computer" (Shirley Krueger); (4) "The Database as a Resource in the Earth Science Classroom" (Janet Woerner); (5) "The Student-Designed Database" (Rick Thomas); (6) "A Focus on History" (Rick Thomas); (7) "Problem Solving with Databases" (Beverly Hunter); (8) "The Computerized Database: Not a Simple Solution" (Don Rawitsch); (9) "Learning to Like Social Studies" (Betty Collis); (10) "Databases in the English Class: A Valuable Lesson" (Ruthie Blankenbaker); (11) "The 'Why' of Instructional Computing" (Suzanne Bailey); (12) "Making Sense of World Power" (Alice Jagger, Tom Layton, and Bob Veeck); (13) "Enhancing Learning through Debriefing" (Bob Gray); (14) "Database Activities in a One-Computer Classroom" (Jim Watson); and (15) "A Mineral Database" (Jacob M. Hirschfelt). (DB)