Civil War 150: Across Five Aprils
To celebrate the sesquincentennial of the Civil War, Past Tracker bring you lessons covering Irene Hunt's award winning novel Across Five Aprils. The story chronicles the time of the Civil War through the eyes of Jethro Creighton, a young boy working on his family farm in Southern Illinois. With family members joining both the Union and Confederate armies, Jethro struggles with the rift created not just in the country, but also in his own home. The book also chronicles Jethro's rise to manhood as he becomes head of the household when his father suffers a heart attack. Across Five Aprils spotlights the hardships of war interlaced with its effect on a family.
While this book is a work of fiction, Across Five Aprils is rooted in fact. The main character, Jethro Creighton, was the author's grandfather and Irene Hunt used her grandfather's stories as a basis to write her novel. The book was published in 1964 and received various awards including the Charles W. Follett Award and the Newberry Honor.
Keep tuned in to Past Tracker as lessons and activities that incorporate Across Five Aprils are posted.
Across Five Aprils Lesson Plan (Word)
Across Five Aprils Lesson Plan (PDF)
This lesson was developed by Victoria Funneman, Jerry Payne, Andy Mace, and Corey MacWilliams as part of Dr. Charles Titus' Spring 2011 SOS 3400 Social Science Teaching Methods Course.
Across Five Aprils Lesson Plan 2 (Word)
Across Five Aprils Lesson Plan 2 (PDF)
This lesson plan was developed by Mark Hansen, Ben Mapes, Mitch Maxedon and Travis Wilkinson in Dr. Charles Titus’ Spring semester 2011 Social Science 3400 Social Science Teaching Methods Course.
