Teaching Materials
Gregory Howard's Story
by Carolyn Reeder

Before reading the book:

Print out the Historical Notes for background material that will help answer students' questions.

Show students the first three pictures of Gregory Howard's Alexandria (PowerPoint®). While showing the map, point out Alexandria (where the story takes place), Washington, DC (where the Union army is gathering), Manassas Junction (where two rail lines meet and the Confederate Army is gathering), Fairfax Court House (where the family's relatives live), and Bull Run (the area where the first major battle of the war will take place). Remind students that "Western Virginia," beyond the mountains, was Unionist and separated from Virginia to become the state of West Virginia.

After Chapter 4:

Show the last four pictures of Gregory Howard's Alexandria.

After finishing the book:

Class Activity:

Meeting in small groups, students will brainstorm a list of adjectives to describe each of the following characters: Gregory, Elizabeth, Lena, Miss Lily, Belle, Mr.Wilson, Andrews, Father, Aunt Millie, and the pawnbroker. Then members of each group will decide which three adjectives on their list are the most descriptive and can be supported with incidents from the story. (This activity could be continued in a whole-class session in which the group lists are combined and discussed.)

Discussion Questions:

1. How did Gregory justify Virginia's secession? Why is his father a Unionist?
2. How did the early weeks of the Civil War effect Alexandria? How did the occupation by Union forces affect the city?
3. Why do you think some soldiers treated Gregory and other Alexandria citizens with respect and others did not?
4. Give examples of ways friendship and neighborliness overcame political differences at this very emotional time.
5. Honor was important to Virginians. Give examples of how the concept of honor influenced various characters in this book.
6. Do you think Father was a good parent? Why/why not?
7. How do you know that Gregory simply accepted slavery without thinking much about it or about what it meant to be a slave?

Suggested Writing Assignments:

1. Write a character sketch for one of these: Gregory, Elizabeth, Father, Mother, Lena, or Uncle Matthew. (Page 2 of www.stemnet.nf.ca/CITE/twisters_character_sketch_help.pdf might be useful to students.)
2. Write a letter from Elizabeth describing life in wartime Alexandria to one of her friends who left the city when Virginia seceded.
3. Imagine what Father might have said in his letter to Martin. Write that letter.
4. The story ends shortly before the First Battle of Bull Run, or Manassas. Read about this battle and either 1) write an essay about the battle or 2) write a letter that Gregory's brother Martin might have sent to his family after it was over.