This bulletin has been prepared to assist teachers and persons serving on curriculum committees in improving the quality of unit teaching and planning for elementary schools. The suggestions and illustrations grow out of a study made by the author of over 500 social studies units which were published during the last few years. They also result from school visitation and consultation in many parts of the Nation. Bulletin contents include: (1) Introduction to unit planning and teaching; (2) Varieties of unit plans and instruction--types of unit plans, kinds of subject matter treatment, and how units are developed; (3) Place of units in the curriculum; (4) Selection of units--committee selection, teacher selection, pupil-teacher selection, methods for pupil-teacher selection, guidelines for selection of units; (5) Preparation of resource units--nature and use, ingredients of a resource unit, criteria for resource units, design and format, pattern of unit organization, guidelines for improving the design of resource units, and sources of assistance; (6) Developing a unit with children--preparing for a unit, setting the stage, approaches, developing the unit, culminating or concluding activities, continuing activities, evaluation in the unit, and different ability levels; (7) Environment and materials--room and school environment, unit materials, and sources of materials; (8) Writing a descriptive unit; and (9) Illustrative resource unit. A bibliography is included. (Contains 50 footnotes.) [Best copy available has been provided.]