Each lesson plan invites teachers and students to explore places in their own community that relate to the lesson's theme. The lessons are suitable for students at different grade levels with different interests and abilities. Other materials soon to be published include education kits that provide longer curriculum units. The kits use a number of places listed on the National Register of Historic Places to create a structured group of lessons. Each kit's theme is explored from various perspectives in lessons on different places.
Students learn how cultural, geographic, social, and economic diversity influence history.
A curriculum guide and other aids link individual lessons to each kit's theme. The lessons can be used to form a complete curriculum unit, or they can be interspersed with other units throughout the school year. Training emphasizes the importance of partnerships between communities and their schools for successful programs. Participants learn to identify and select evidence that will help them interpret the history and culture of their community or site. This program is a model for involving young people in researching, interpreting, and taking care of their community environment.