This language arts unit of study for high-ability junior-high students looks at the historical events and social issues of the 1940s through the literature of the decade, including novels, short stories, poetry, essays, letters, and newspapers. Numerous opportunities for reading, writing, listening, and speaking are incorporated into the unit. Each student poses a hypothesis, conducts research concerning some issue of significance that arises out of the literature that is studied, and makes both a written and oral presentation of the research. The unit is rich in materials that highlight the concept of change, such as John Hersey's "Hiroshima,""The Diary of Anne Frank," and Carson McCuller's "Member of the Wedding." This guide provides goals and outcomes, an assessment model, a list of musicians and artists whose works are suggested for use with the unit, a paper analyzing the concept of change, teaching models, 25 lesson plans, assessment forms, a list of 39 works used in the unit, a list of 41 resource materials and 10 videos, an annotated bibliography of 15 items on the concept of change, and a list of 31 computer software resources. (JDD)