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The effects of war on soldiers can be profound and long-lasting. In Mrs. Sanburg’s eighth-grade English/language arts class, students explored this theme through the book "Soldier's Heart," which tells the story of a young soldier from Minnesota during the Civil War.
The narrative follows Charley Goddard, who begins his journey as an eager young soldier anticipating the excitement of battle. However, as the story progresses, he confronts the harsh realities of war, witnessing its horrors and suffering severe injuries. This transformation leads him to question whether life is worth living. The book also depicts camp life, highlighting the unappealing daily rations of beans and salt-pork. To give students a taste of this experience, Mrs. Sandburg brought in some beans for them to try.
“I had one taker, and by his second big spoonful, he was done with the beans,” Sandburg remarked.
Through this exercise, students developed a deeper appreciation for those who fought in wars—a sentiment that resonates beyond the classroom.
