This curriculum unit evolves from a 5-week study program to the Caribbean by cultural arts teachers from North Carolina. The program was designed: (1) to enhance educators' knowledge of the Caribbean influence on Western culture; (2) to understand the history of the Caribbean and its impact on the arts; and (3) to infuse this information into the current arts programs of public school and higher education. Fourteen participants, including classroom teachers and university arts professors, visited the island countries of Jamaica, the Republic of Trinidad, and Tobago. The unit offers 20 sample lesson plans that demonstrate the use of the cultural arts as a vehicle for promoting intercultural and global understanding, as well as a mechanism to enhance learning in other academic disciplines. The lessons are organized according to three themes that reflect collective impressions of the Caribbean arts. An overview lesson for the elementary level is "Introducing the Caribbean" (Susan M. Beall). The theme, "Caribbean Celebrations," includes the lessons: (1) "Carnival Characters" (middle, high school) (Susan Van Wyk; Michael Helton); (2) "Hosay Assemblage" (high school) (Susan Van Wyk); (3) "Jonkonnu Costumes and Musical Instruments" (grades 4-6) (Carole L. Hueslsberg); and (4) "Jonkonnu: The North Carolina Connection--Teaching the Jonkonnu Dances" (grades 3-8) (Meleah Hodges-Moss). The theme, "From Oppression to Expression," contains the lessons: (1) "An Introduction to the Caribbean Theatre and Literature" (elementary, middle, high school) (Linda Kerr Norflett); (2)"Building Plays Jamaican Style" (middle, high school) (Linda Kerr Norflett); (3) "Calabash Bags" (elementary and middle) (Julie Tester); (4) "Making Pop Music Connections" (middle and high school) (Jean Raabe); (5) "Masking Resistance" (middle and high school) (Roscoe McNair, Jr.); (6) "Religions of Jamaica" (elementary and middle) (Lee M. Beall); and (7) "Rastafarians" (middle and high school) (Lee M. Beall). The theme, "Rhythms," includes the lessons: (1) "Nora and the Ackee--A Caribbean Folktale" (elementary, middle, and high school) (Susan M. Beall); (2) "Storytelling, West Indian Folktales" (high school) (Doris Helton); (3) "Caribbean Folktales" (elementary) (Carole L. Huelsberg); (4) "Rhythms in Caribbean Arts" (high school) (Julie Tester); (5) "Reggae Rhythms" (high school) (Jean Raabe); (6) "Waiting in Vain, Musical Comparisons" (high school) (Lana Henderson); (7) "Kumina Dance" (high school) (Meleah Hodges-Moss); and (8) "Batik: Rhythms of Celebration" (high school) (Nila Chamberlain). An annotated bibliography is included. (EH)