Assignments for October 6th, 2025
Explorations in British Literature
Today, we reviewed the characters in Beowulf and reviewed what to expect on the rest of the test. Then we took the test itself. We finished the five reports for today and then covered the excerpts the students read and compared them with the reports.
For next week, on pages 32 and 33, write the character described in each stanza from the Tales. Complete page 36 on Geoffrey Chaucer and the crossword sheet you were given on the characters in The Canterbury Tales. To help you with your homework, watch the following summary of the General Prologue.
Read this summary of The Canterbury Tales.
American History
Today, we reviewed for the test on Chapters 1-3, and went over the important points in Chapter 4. Then we played games to review the states and capitals and various points we have covered in history.
For next week, study for the test on Chapters 1-3 and then read Chapter 5 in your text.
Watch the following video on Patrick Henry’s famous speech.
U.S. Government
We reviewed the Bill of Rights, the Amendments to the Constitution, and what is contained in the actual seven articles of the Constitution. Then we started going over the lessons you had completed in your text. We covered Lesson 5 on Congress and Lesson 6 on the Senate. We will finish the Senate and the House of Representatives next week, along with Lesson 8 on Voting. Here are the answers to the crossword Lesson 8 Voting.
Watch this short video on the Great Compromise.
Quick Looks at Great Books
We discussed Questions 1-14 and went over a description of each of the characters. Then we watched the BBC movie version of the first book (first six chapters). We ran out of time and will all take the first quiz at the beginning of our next class. For that next week, begin Book 2—The Golden Thread Chapters 1-9. We will discuss all of the chapters and all of the questions before we take the next quiz. (Questions 15-31)
Watch this short video about the beginning of Book 2.
Practical Public Speaking
We did our Memorization speeches today, drawing names to provide our order. Then we did a few more of our biographical interviews.
For next week, prepare the manuscript speech that you chose from the list in class. Please locate the speech online as soon as possible and let me know if you have any problems. Research the background for your selected speech and deliver it with the passion the original author intended! Please mark your “script” as we discussed in class today to help you with your delivery. (Refer to page 36 in your notebook for help in preparing your speech.) Concentrate particularly on inflection, articulation, and eye contact. If you have chosen a longer speech, edit and condense it so that it is around 5 minutes.
Don’t forget to email me if you have decided to search for another speech and give me the title by email of what speech you have chosen.