The main idea of this unit--that many different kinds of families live in the United States and are alike in some ways but different in others--is shaped through an examination of families in three cultural and physical settings. This teaching guide for the unit provides highly detailed suggestions for learning experiences and multimedia instructional materials, as well as bibliographic references for the teacher. Through a dominant use of children's stories and highly varied learning activities, the life styles of a Chinese-American family in a coastal environment, an Appalachian family, and a Navajo family living on the desert are investigated and compared. Correlated with the social studies content are suggested science activities focusing on the physical environments of these three families. A bibliography is included of the learning materials cited in the guide. An appendix consists of stories about the three families which may be illustrated with items from a curriculum kit available for use as a part of this unit. Related documents are SO 000 585 through SO 000 591. (JLB)