This document consists of a series of worksheets and lesson plans created by social studies teachers for use in an eighth grade urban studies course. The worksheets are designed to help students to discover first themselves, then the school, the community and the work world beyond school. Some examples of worksheet topics are: a chronological list of events in the student's life, the creation of a personal coat of arms; the school-student relationship; neighborhood observations; and field trips to and follow up reports about other parts of the city. The lesson plans (paired with each worksheet) are intended to provide suggestions for teachers so that they can adjust the lessons and activities to their own students' interests and needs. Though many activities are presented in the context of New York City, they may be adapted to other settings. (Author/GC)