In May 1960, Mrs. Mudford introduces a new class project, "All About Me," including a family tree activity.
A child named Mad is initially uneasy about the project.
Mrs. Mudford experiences frustration as the children humorously guess the project's focus, guessing various fictional characters to be the "very important person" related to the family tree.
Mad insists that people are animals, creating conflict with Mrs. Mudford's beliefs, leading to classroom chaos with the kids imitating animals.
After restoring order, Mrs. Mudford confirms that the person of interest is each child themselves.
Children are instructed to have their family tree information filled out by their mothers.
Mad's mother, Harriet, critiques and questions the purpose of family trees upon receiving Mad's assignment.
Harriet recalls snooping in Mad's father Calvin's house, learning about his past, including his scientific career and troubled childhood.
Harriet and Mad discuss the existence of godmothers and spirituality in a broader sense.
Harriet reveals her conservative views on religion and marriage, while displaying a desire for a strong concept of hell.
Harriet clearly does not share the same progressive mindset as Mad's mother Elizabeth regarding reading materials and intellectual stimulation.
Mad reads advanced books, and Harriet is concerned about her unconventional interests compared to other children.
Harriet questions whether traits can be passed on genetically as she notices Mad's resemblance to her father.
Mad continues to question the nature of people, asking if they taste good after seeing an illustration in a book about cannibals.
Harriet shares her struggles with accepting that Elizabeth's feminist television cooking show might not be renewed.
Elizabeth believes in challenging stereotypes and cultural norms about gender roles and refuses to condescend to her audience or simplify her content.
Mad suggests adding a "godfather" to her family tree, but Harriet dismisses the idea, emphasizing secrecy and privacy.
Harriet suggests filling in the family tree haphazardly as the teacher won't know the difference, indicating a low regard for the assignment's educational value.
In the end, Mad must also bring a family photograph to class, which prompts discussion on who should be included in the image of the "whole family."