The resource book contains essays and ethnic vignettes to help teachers and teacher educators understand the diverse lifestyles, backgrounds, and attitudes of students and families in American society. The book provides background information for elementary and junior high activity units contained in SO 010 213. Part one contains four chapters which discuss multiculturalism, dangers of stereotyping, areas of possible conflict, and implications for the schools. The nine ethnic vignettes in part two explore each group's contributions to American culture and problems encountered by each minority group. Lifestyles and children's learning styles in different cultures are also described in order to help teachers work more effectively with minority group students. The nine groups are Black Americans, Chinese Americans, East European Americans, American Indians, Italian Americans, Japanese Americans, Jewish Americans, Mexican Americans, and Puerto Ricans. Part three, a concluding chapter, explains the teacher's role in achieving multicultural understanding. (Author/AV)