Designed as thematic units around Wright Company Big Books, the lessons in this guide demonstrate ways that Big Books can be used in a whole language first grade program. Each lesson indicates skill focus, needed materials, procedures, and additional thoughts or suggestions about the lesson. Units consist of: "Bedtime" (five lessons); "Monsters and Giants" (five lessons); "Valentine's Day" (one lesson); "Houses" (two lessons); "Our Town" (four lessons); "Our Family" (four lessons); "Me" (one lesson); "Me (Feelings)" (three lessons); and "Me (Helping)" (one lesson). A discussion about using African folk tales in the classroom, and a list of African tales are provided. The following information is included in the appendix: a list of themes and Wright Books used; a thematic listing of poems/songs and their authors; a list of nursery rhymes for use in whole language activities; a thematic listing of trade books and their authors; possible big book material; a whole language and writing bibliography; and a teacher resource bibliography. (MM)