Considering that the lower ability student in the seventh and eighth grades faces problems of emotion, identity, and self-motivation, there is a need for a more activity-based, exploratory curriculum that gives students responsibility for their learning and living. An interdisciplinary local studies approach was adopted for this six-week unit called "Our Town: Terre Haute," which allows time for current geography and map study of governmental and volunteer services, and for student discovery and discussion about the community today. The plan of study includes field trips, guest speakers, interviews, and projects. The report discusses the conceptualization and the planning of the unit's content, schedule, activities, projects, and objectives. Anecdotes of students' experiences and an annotated bibliography are included. (KWL)