The focus of Ontario's educational reform is literacy and numeracy, and there is a move to teach literacy in all subject areas. Teachers are also to include character education and environmental awareness in instructional planning. Curriculum guidelines direct teachers to teach cross-disciplinary core concepts--Big Ideas such as change, systems, and interdependence--and higher-order thinking skills such as research, communication, design, problem solving, and critical literacy. Bluewater School District in southwestern Ontario embarked on a journey to meet these requirements using a cross-disciplinary approach. The results have been an increase in student engagement, curriculum that is relevant to students' lives, and an ability to reach students at all levels of achievement. Formal planning sessions have provided teachers with an opportunity to collaborate and revitalize their practice. (Contains 1 figure and 1 endnote.)