Description
Times are uneasy for the Matthew Creighton family, tensions rising between the north and the south as war between the states approaches. When war finally does break out, two of the grown Creighton sons, and the town's young school teacher and friend of the family, join the fight. They are expecting an easy victory for the Union, but it quickly becomes clear that victory will neither come easy nor soon. Then the last grown son, Bill, also leaves; but he does not join the Union. When word gets out that he has joined the south, the Creighton family finds the war in their own home, and division and strife rise between them and their neighbors. Nine-year-old Jethro is now the only son still at home. Soon after, his father suffers a heart attack, and it is now up to Jethro—as the only remaining 'working man' in the family—to do the work of five or six grown men to support the women and children left behind. They live from letter to letter and for each newspaper with accounts of the fighting.
Young Jethro discovers that a man's good character can be stronger than a gun and lasts much longer than a war.
Across Five Aprils Digital Download Literature Study Guide
Formatted with your Middle School grade student in mind, Progeny Press language arts study guides divide the book into writing assignments and lessons that strengthen their reading comprehension, vocabulary, and refine their critical analysis and writing skills. Each Progeny Press novel study accomplishes all of this without busy work that can drain the fun out of reading and literature! Kids have loved using Progeny Press ELA curriculum in homeschool, co-ops, and private schools around the world for over 30 years!
What Progeny Press' Across Five Aprils Literature Curriculum Digital Study Guide provides your Middle School student:
ELA Built for Ages 10–15 • Grades 5–9
Our faith-based literature study guide helps students strengthen their reading and comprehension skills through engaging, age-appropriate activities.
About the Author: Learn about the life of Irene Hunt, the author behind Across Five Aprils.
Background Information: Read about the American Civil War era, giving additional context to the characters and storyline.
Vocabulary: Deepen your understanding of the novel's words through various activities that boost retention and growth.
Literary Techniques: Explore literary concepts and techniques like context, setting, similes, idioms, characterization, synonyms, personification, foreshadowing, mood, hyperbole, themes, metaphors, and more.
Moral Lessons and Character Values: Examine themes of compassion, peer pressure, setting aside revenge, hardships, growth, coming-of-age, authority, mercy, submission, forgiveness, peace, responsibility, and maturity.
Activities and Writing Assignments: Engage in map work, delve into slavery and Civil War battles, practice letter-writing and persuasive essays, study Bible passages, explore the Gettysburg Address, and going on enriching field trips and biographical research.
What Will You Need?
A Complete Language Arts Experience with Progeny Press
- A copy of Across Five Aprils
- A Bible (digital or physical)
- A dictionary (child-friendly or online)
This flexible homeschool resource includes open-ended discussions and optional writing activities that support foundational ELA skills without overwhelming growing learners.
Designed for YOU
- Homeschool families looking for Christian literature curriculum
- Schools looking for high quality ELA materials
- Parents wanting to build reading comprehension and character
- Co-ops and small group instruction
These guides work well on their own or alongside your preferred grammar and phonics program.
Features and Benefits FAQ - Progeny Press ELA PDF Study Guide:
Why Schools & Families Love Our Study Guides:
- Easy to follow and open-and-go
- Encourages family discussions and biblical connections
- Engaging activities that support reading comprehension
- Grows with your child’s ability and interest
- No busywork—just meaningful, faith-filled learning
Digital Format Details:
- Download instantly—no shipping required
- Works on Mac, PC, and most tablets
- Fillable form fields allow on-screen answers or easy printing
- No costly software purchases necessary. PDF files open in the FREE Adobe Reader program.
Note: Mobile devices may require an alternative app that supports and saves fillable form fields and interactive features. - Conveniently print what you need, when you need it
- Print the whole ELA study guide at once
- Print single literature lessons or pages as the student completes them
- Print multiple copies of the entire curriculum study guide for classroom sets
All of Progeny Press' language arts PDF download unit lessons are written from a Christian worldview!
