During your cemetery visit, ask your class to sketch some of the symobos and designs found on monuments. Next, have your students preserve the history, art and tradition they have uncovered on your cemetery visit by creating a gravestone rubbing. It is a wonderful way to learn about history. There are some basic rules you should follow and some tools you need to get started. If you plan on doing rubbings of your family or relatives then some of these won't apply.
Many cemeteries are private property.
Be sure and ask before you start rubbing tombstones. Trespassing fines are not cheap. Many do not understand what rubbing is or have ever heard of it. Treat each tombstone as if it were your own mother's. Somebody loves these people and old tombstones can be delicate.