Noting that developing a strong relationship between the elementary or middle school and the family can help prevent students feelings of alienation and problems in learning, this guidebook provides a resource to help K-8 educators involve the entire family in the educational experience. Chapter 1 of the book outlines the vision for parent involvement at the elementary and middle school level and provides background material relating parent participation and student achievement. Chapter 2 expresses the necessity and presents strategies for building trust with families, as the basis for the remainder of the family involvement strategies. Chapter 3 deals with communicating in positive ways with families, and provides examples of how elementary and middle school teachers invite participation through their communication. Chapter 4 deals with the implementation of family workshops. Chapter 5 concerns family visits, detailing how trust is built through the visits and exploring the academic benefits from this practice. Chapter 6 focuses on instructional practices, illustrating how classroom instruction can be contextualized in the lives of the students and how this pedagogy illustrates professional teaching and student learning standards. Chapter 7 provides examples of innovative homework ideas involving families. In concluding, the book asserts that only by reaching out and connecting with families can teachers have the knowledge needed to maximize student learning. Two appendices list books of interest for elementary and for middle school students and their families. (Contains 68 references.) (KB)