Ideas for an elementary level interdisciplinary teaching unit which were generated from a drive taken in the plains country of eastern New Mexico are presented. The purpose is to show what could be included in a unit on the immediate environment. In social studies classes, students can read a map of the area of the drive. An interest in history can be created by describing picturesque places visited or the history of some of the small towns. A map of the area traveled through can also be applied to arithmetic. For example, miles per gallon, as well as miles per hour, could be computed between points, or an imaginary tour of the area could include budgeting for food and lodging, plus estimated times of departure and arrival. With regard to art education, artists from the local area can speak to the class or students can visit the exhibits of local artists. Unit teaching and language arts are natural partners. For example, listening skills can be improved as students listen to the teacher and their peers as the unit is discussed. Speaking is also involved as students interact with their fellow classmates and the teacher. In science classes, students can discuss the water cycle of the arid New Mexico region. Windmills, which are in abundance in the Southwest, farming, and fossils found near the small town of Portales are additional topics of interest to science students. The ideas from this unit of study can be adapted to teaching about other parts of the country. A road map of New Mexico and a 17-item reference list are appended. (RM)