Nightjohn/Soldier's Heart
Nightjohn tells the story of one courageous slave’s desire to educate fellow slaves. Nightjohn educates fellow slave Sarny, making her promise never to reveal what she knows. After her master discovers her writing letters in the dirt, Nightjohn is punished for his actions by the removal of two of his toes. The story illustrates the protagonist’s struggles to overcome challenges. For Sarny and Nightjohn, education becomes more important than life.
Based on a true story, Soldier’s Heart depicts the Civil War from the perspective of a fifteen-year-old volunteer soldier. Charley Goddard enlists to fight so that he can have the adventure of a lifetime. Readers become aware of the nature of war, the consequences war brings, and the scars it leaves behind.
About the Series:
Novel/Drama curriculum units contain complete lesson plans with preliminary and follow-up work, teacher notes with plot summary, background, and rationale, ready-to-use worksheets, and suggested answers for student questions. These study guides encourage the development of thinking, reading, speaking, research, and writing skills as well as critical thinking skills such as analysis, synthesis, and evaluation.
Price: $19.95
Literary Form
American Novel
Student Activities
Students examine literary elements such as plot, imagery, theme, symbolism, conflict, characterization, and figurative language. They also investigate the concepts of freedom and slavery, gain an understanding of American slave codes, and discuss the values of perseverance, self-reliance, and overcoming adversity. Lessons stress active reading strategies such as predicting, questioning, connecting, clarifying, and evaluating. Extensive optional activities suggest additional research, writing, role-playing, and art projects. A final lesson asks students to compare and contrast Nightjohn and Soldier’s Heart.
Ethical Values
- Courage
- Diligence
- Initiative
- Self-actualization
- Self-discipline
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