"I am so
pleased that
my book NOW
ONE FOOT,
NOW THE
OTHER is
featured in
the aMaze
project."
—Tomie
dePaula,
author and
illustrator
"Sharing
these
stories will
help all
kids belong,
succeed and
pursue their
dreams."
—Ann
Bancroft,
adventurer
and educator
"FAM
lessons...will
enrich your
children,
your
students and
yourself."
—Louise
Derman-Sparks,
Pacific Oaks
College,
author and
early
childhood
anti-bias
educator
" A
wonderful
way to teach
our
congregation's
children
about
diversity
and the
values of
love and
acceptance."
—Chris
Potter, RE
Director,
Mayflower
Church,
Minneapolis
"FAM builds
trust and
helps my
students
know that
their family
matters...and
it supports
reading
goals, too."
—Katie
Oberle,
elementary
teacher,
suburban
Twin Cities
“Though
skeptical of
the FAM Book
Project and
its
usefulness,
I now stand
corrected!
The Book
Project drew
out even my
most quiet
students. I
don't know
if it was
the time of
year, the
subject
matter, the
stories, or
the parents,
but whatever
it was
worked. My
kids
listened,
remembered,
shared
information
and ideas,
and really
looked
forward to
Families All
Matter days.
It was very
rewarding to
see my kids
respond so
positively.”
—A
second-grade
teacher at
Windom
School, FAM
BP pilot
site
Order FAM
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What is
the
Families
All
Matter
Book
Project?
The
Families
All
Matter
Book
Project
(FAM)
encourages
children
to
explore
diversity
issues
through
reading.
It began
in
Minneapolis
in 1996
and has
been
used in
hundreds
of
elementary
school
classrooms.
How does
it work?
Stories
about
families
are read
to
students
by
teachers,
parents,
or
volunteers.
Afterwards,
students
discuss
the
story,
participate
in
follow-up
activities,
and
write in
journals.
What
materials
are
needed?
You
will
need
the
Curriculum
Guide
and
the
Book
Box,
both
of
which
can
be
ordered
from
aMaze.
Who is
it for?
Any
organization
that
works
with
children
is
encouraged
to get
involved.
FAM is
adaptable
to meet
the
needs of
many
settings.
Teachers,
parents,
and
faith
communities
commend
FAM for
its
effective
work to
create
communities
where
all
children
and
families
experience
safety
and
belonging.
If you
would
like to
bring
FAM to
your
school,
organization,
or place
of
worship
contact
us.
We can
provide
on-site
Reader
Training
for your
staff/volunteers.
We also
regularly
sponsor
Reader
Trainings
in the
community
which
are open
to all.
Call or
email us
about
Reader
Training
or to
learn
about
volunteering
with
aMaze.
What
themes
are
covered
in the
Families
All
Matter
Book
Project?
Families
Are
Different
Race/Ethnicity
Divorce/Break-ups/Blending
Gay
and
Lesbian
Family
Members
Socioeconomics
Immigration
Adoption
Disability
Aging
Religion
Why does
the
Families
All
Matter
Book
Project
focus on
family?
We all
come
from
many
kinds of
households
and a
variety
of home
experiences.
In many
schools,
it is
common
for a
majority
of
students
to live
with
adult
caregivers
other
that
their
biological
parents.
Children
seek
reassurance
that
regardless
of
differences
in skin
color,
family
configurations,
language,
etc.,
they are
all
valued
members
of a
community.
Our
understanding
of
"family"
needs to
reflect
the
reality
of
today's
society.
A family
is
defined
as a
group of
persons
who live
together
to meet
basic
needs,
provide
love and
affection,
and
assist
each
other
with
social,
spiritual,
psychological
and
physical
existence.
What
happens
during
the
Families
All
Matter
Book
Project?
FAM
diversity
themes
are
introduced
in a
developmentally
appropriate
context
with a
focus on
family.
The
literature
reflects
and
discusses
the
diverse
family
structures
prevalent
in the
United
States
today.
An
environment
is
created
where
all
families
can feel
a sense
of
belonging,
acceptance
and
support.
Students
see
themselves
in one
or more
of the
stories;
they
feel
visible
and
empowered
when
they
hear
about
their
own
family's
experience.
What
will
children
take
away
from the
Families
All
Matter
Book
Project?
Children
hear the
experiences
of their
peers
and
their
families
and
begin to
learn
empathy
for
others.
They
talk to
each
other
about
differences,
interacting
about
their
lives in
an
environment
of
respect
and
openness.
They
start to
understand
that
biases
and
prejudices
can be
hurtful
and
harmful.
They
learn to
identify
and deal
with
misunderstandings.
They
make
connections
between
different
diversity
issues/experiences.
Skills
are
practiced
for
dealing
with
name-calling,
teasing,
putdowns,
and
other
hate
bullying
when
students
perceived
as
different
are
targeted.
How can
the
Families
All
Matter
Book
Project
improve
our
communities?
Community
is built
with a
deeper
understanding
of
others'
realities
and
talking
about
and
dealing
with
many
kinds of
differences.
The
overall
climate
within
schools
and
other
organizations
is
enhanced
as these
understandings
and
skills
are
cultivated.
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