This book presents an approach to learning that builds on trust and personal regard. It is based on the experiences of a second grade teacher and relates anecdotal experiences. Chapter I discusses beginning the transference of power, pre-planning for the school year, and creating an environment. Chapter II discusses building trust, focusing on making the learners ready to learn, getting to know them, listening, learning to make choices, and problem solving. Chapter III discusses sharing feelings and presents a day-by-day account of a week-long event that affected and inspired a whole class. Chapter IV discusses discovering interests and developing the theme. This chapter focuses on recognizing interests, brainstorming, refining interests, developing projects, identifying resources, and choosing the theme. Chapter V focuses on tying together the thinking skills, including naming and developing thinking skills through theme activities. Chapter VI describes covering the curriculum as it relates to the theme and relating the projects to specific curriculum areas. Chapter VII discusses becoming a lifetime learner. An appendix presents a yearly guide for using helpful ideas with a class. It follows a chronological sequence, beginning with what to do during the summer, moving through the first week of school, within the first few weeks of school, as the year continues, and ending with the closing weeks of school. Sample charts for recordkeeping are included. (ABL)