With this book as a guide, elementary school teachers can build classroom themes that offer students substantive encounters with knowledge, literature, and language. The book discusses a rationale for theme teaching; an explanation of the different kinds of themes; a variety of ways in which themes can be treated in the classroom; a detailed description of the various stages of assembling and carrying out a theme; and examples of themes in action in K-6 classrooms. The book begins with a comprehensive review of the existing literature on themes ("Theory and Practice of Teaching through Themes" by Sean A. Walmsley). Chapters in the book are: (1) "Insects: A Kindergarten Theme" (Bonnie Brown Walmsley and Anne-Marie Camp); (2) "Fish Hatchery: A First Grade Theme" (Debby Fabian and others); (3) "Indian Land: A Second Grade Theme" (Colleen McNall); (4) "Human Body: A Third Grade Theme" (Pam Brumbaugh); (5) "Architecture of Kinderhook, New York: A Third and Fourth Grade Theme" (Janice Fingar and Donna Beaudry); (6) "Whales: A Fourth and Fifth Grade Theme" (Mary Capobianco); (7) "Westward Movement: A Fifth Grade Theme" (Joanne Kelly Paulson); and (8) "Egyptian Mummies: A Sixth Grade Theme" (Tanya Willcox-Schnabl). (RS)