Author: litalive

litalive

Assignments for 12/08/2025

Assignments for December 8th, 2025

Snow day assignments!

Artistic scene of winter village

Explorations in British Literature

Next week, we will go over much of Act IV and all of Act V on our British video! Review Twelfth Night. We will take Quiz #3 and do the final test if time. Also, read the scene by scene summary of Macbeth, a tragedy by Shakespeare. We will discuss it and will have a quiz on it our last week before Christmas. (December 15)

Watch the following brief video to review the play.

American History

Next week, we will quickly review the videos you watched and take a quiz on them. (Urijah and Soffia, please be ready with your Presidential reports.) Read Chapters 14 and 15. We will go over the happenings, and I will give you the items on the test (after Christmas) from the Chapter Reviews.

We will have more Presidential reports on December 15. This will be the last chance for extra credit this semester. If you want to choose a President, email me.

Otherwise, I will take volunteers next week and assign them after that. The Presidents to choose from are as follows: William Henry Harrison, John Tyler, James K. Polk, Zachary Taylor, Millard Fillmore, Franklin Pierce, James Buchanan, Abraham Lincoln, and Andrew Johnson.

Watch the following one-minute videos, to review what you learned from the reports.

George Washington

John Adams

Thomas Jefferson

James Madison

James Monroe

John Quincy Adams

Martin VanBuren

U.S. Government

Next week, we will go over the homework we have not yet completed, and I will give you what you need to know for the final exam. (State Government, City Government, the Post Office, and Army—Lessons 18-21.)

Watch this song for all the Armed Forces.

It makes you want to march to the song! Also, for next week, complete Lessons 22 and 23. (Navy and Marine Corps) Here are the crossword answers for Lesson 22: Navy (United States) and Lesson 23: Marine Corps (United States).

Quick Looks at Great Books

You have finished the book (Silas Marner) now. Please print the copy of the Silas Marner Chronolog to review the entire book. We will watch a few scenes from our BBC video and discuss the questions from your study guide. We will also take Quiz #3. Review the entire book for our final test. We will do a game review and the Chronolog first.

Watch this short video summary of the book.

Complete the following lessons in your Literary Terms notebook: Alliteration (pages 22-24), Flashback (pages 62-67), and Irony (pages 69-71).

Practical Public Speaking

We will continue with the speeches we were going to do today. Informative speeches: Daniel and Glory Demonstration speeches: Belle, Will, Brian, Braden, Zach, and Landon.

Previous Assignments for School Year 2025 – 2026:

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Assignments for 12/01/2025

Assignments for December 1st, 2025

Artistic scene of winter village

Explorations in British Literature

We watched a lot of the video of this play—particularly Maria’s scheme portrayed and a large part of Act III. We answered the questions on pages 14 and 15 in the study guide.

You have already finished reading the play. We will watch some scenes from Act IV and watch Act V as well as finish the study guide. (Quiz #3 on Acts IV and V) Don’t forget to bring your British Literature notebook to class since you are doing pages 51-54 for homework. (Twelfth Night)

Watch this scene that you have already read even though the characters are played by different actors and actresses.

American History

We went over Chapters 12 and 13 and the Chapter Reviews that went with them. You do not have to know everything—just the things I told you to circle. You did a great job with the reports on the Presidents. You covered everything you needed. I hope the rest of you took notes. I will go over each President again before the test. We will do our last two reports next week.

You will do a quiz on the videos at the first of the class. (Multiple choice and only ten questions.) You have no readings—just watch the videos for every answer on the quiz.

James Monroe

John Quincy Adams

The Battle of New Orleans

U.S. Government

We reviewed for our test on the Supreme Court, the Law, Trial, Immigration, and Citizenship. It was very competitive and only one point separated the two teams! Then we took our test and talked about the way the President travels in the Beast and on Air Force One.

Watch these two videos on Presidential travel to see what they look like for yourself.

The Beast

Air Force One

For next week, do one lesson (21) in your notebook. Here are the Crossword answers for page 81 Lesson 21: Army. We will go through all you have done so far and give you the terms to know for the final exam.

Quick Looks at Great Books

We discussed the study guide questions for the first quiz on Silas Marner, watched the BBC video, and took the quiz. We will finish our discussion of Chapters 8-15 and take the quiz on those chapters next week.

Finish reading Silas Marner Part II—Chapters 16-21 and Conclusion. Look over the questions and look up anything you don’t know. Surprise ending with Chronolog saved for you!

Practical Public Speaking

We continued with our Informative speeches today and also did two of the Demonstration speeches. Next week we finish the final Informative speeches with Daniel and Glory first. Then we’ll continue the Demonstration speeches with the following students in this order: Belle, Will, Brian, Braden, Zach, and Landon.

Previous Assignments for School Year 2025 – 2026:

litalive

Assignments for 11/24/2025

Assignments for November 24th, 2025

Hello November

Explorations in British Literature

Today, we covered pages 6-13 in the study guide and watched a number of parts of the video produced in London. (Renaissance Theater Company and acclaimed director Kenneth Branagh from the Royal Shakespeare Company)

For next week, finish reading the play by completing Acts IV and V. We will watch the video and and take the test on Act III next week as well. We will finish the video on Acts IV and V and take that quiz the following week.

American History

We went through Chapters 10 and 11 and went over the things to know from the Chapter Review for each chapter.

For next week, read Chapters 12 and 13. (Next week, you will only have videos to watch!) You will meet lots of inventors in these chapters, especially in Chapter 13. They will all be in a matching section on our next test. The Presidential reports will be presented next week too.

Watch the following videos from your reading.

Sojourner Truth

Cyrus McCormick

U.S. Government

Today. we reviewed all the lessons for next week’s test. (Lessons 13-17) We took a sample of the Citizenship just so they could see how much the future citizen has to know! They also took a quiz to determine if they lean to the left or right. (Liberal or Conservative) These are not for a grade but for them to keep.

For next week, complete Lesson 20 on The Post Office. Most students are not aware that the Post Office is an arm of the Federal Government! Here are the answers for Lesson 20: The Post Office. Also, study for our test on Lessons 13-17. We will also have a competitive game review next week before we take the test.

Watch this video on the work of the Post Office.

Quick Looks at Great Books

The students did an excellent job in the review game today! I think that after all this time, they really know this book well. After the game (which was very close), we took the test. I can’t wait to grade them and see how they did! Then we discussed the author and characters of our new book, Silas Marner by George Eliot.

For next week, read Chapters 8-15 in your book. (through Part I) There are lots of questions in your study guide. Just read through them and look up any you don’t remember or can’t answer. We will go through the questions to make sure you understand what you read. We will take Quiz #1, discuss the questions, and watch the BBC video. (VERY true to the book) We will discuss the current reading and take Quiz #2 the following week.

Practical Public Speaking

We did five more Informative speeches today—all very interesting. Next week, we will finish all the rest of the Informative speeches and start our Demonstration speeches. Next week, the following students will give their Informative speeches: Ana Leah, Avalyn, Glory, Daniel, and Asher. Briana will start our Demonstration Speeches.

Previous Assignments for School Year 2025 – 2026:

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Assignments for 11/17/2025

Assignments for November 17th, 2025

Hello November

Explorations in British Literature

We started class today with a Powerpoint on the life of Elizabeth I and her father Henry VIII and how she came to the throne. This complimented Silja’s report on the Politics of the Elizabethan Age. We then reviewed the Globe Theater and how it was constructed when James Burbage tore The Theater down. We then started on our study guide for Twelfth Night. We went over the characters in detail and answered the questions in Part B on page 3. We covered page 4 and then ran out of time.

Next week we will watch the video filmed in London, and take Quiz #1. We will work on the study guide together in class. Read Act III for next week and be prepared for Malvolio’s arrogance to shine!

Watch this brief excerpt from Act II, Scene 2. It’s so much better to see the nonverbal actions with the words themselves!

American History

After reviewing Chapter 7, we took a brief quiz on the ten multiple choice questions. After collecting the quizzes, I went over each answer to each question so that they would not miss the same question on the test. (GREAT review) Then we did a competitive game review of Chapters 7-9 concluding with the review of Chapters 1-6. Then we took the test. I also assigned reports for the first eight Presidents for extra credit. Let me know if you forgot to write down which President that you have.

For next week, read Chapters 10 and 11. we will not have another test until after the Civil War. (Chapters 10-17)

Watch these short videos about what you are reading and things you need to know.

The Era of Good Feelings

The Trail of Tears – One Minute History

The Battle of Tippecanoe

U.S. Government

We started today’s class with a Powerpoint on the Supreme Court. It reinforced a lot of what was in our notebooks as well as added even more information and pictures. We then went over the Lessons on The Supreme Court, The Law, and Trial.

Next week, we will finish the lesson on Trial and review the lessons on Immigration and Citizenship. We will take a sample Citizenship test just so we have an idea of how much those applicants have to know about our country. Also, for next week, complete the lessons on State Government and City Government. (Lessons 18 & 19) Here are the answers for crosswords Lesson 18: State Government and Lesson 19: City Government.

Two weeks from today on November 24, we will have a test on multiple lessons—Immigration, Citizenship, The Supreme Court, The Law, and Trial. (Lessons 13-17) We will have a game review before the test. (Please bring your notebook to class!)

Watch this tour of the Supreme Court in Washington, D.C.

Quick Looks at Great Books

We reviewed the study guide questions for the last reading assignment before taking the final quiz. We then reviewed the whole book. We discussed the themes and the the protagonist and antagonist. We talked about how Dickens used individual characters to represent entire groups of people that were present in the French Revolution.

For next week, read Chapters 1-7 in our new book Silas Marner by George Eliot. Most people know the book well by this point, but we will have one more review game as well as the final test on A Tale of Two Cities. (All objective test—matching, multiple choice and True/False) The last half of the class, we will begin Silas Marner and make sure you understand what is going on in it.

Watch this summary of the book to review the characters and events.

Practical Public Speaking

Great job on your Informative Speeches today. You did a super job telling your “report” to us because you were really interested in your topic!

Next week, we will finish with our Informative Speeches with the following giving speeches: Ana Leah, Avalyn, Daniel, Grant, Brian, Landon, Asher, Glory, and Braden. For those of you who are finished, decide on your next topic for your Demonstration speech.

Previous Assignments for School Year 2025 – 2026:

litalive

Assignments for 11/10/2025

Assignments for November 10th, 2025

Hello November

Explorations in British Literature

Today, we talked about the fairy tale that the Wife of Bath told on her way to Canterbury. (since we didn’t have time last week) It was a cute story and typical for that wife of 5 different men! Then we started the homework the students had done. We covered the poem and questions on page 45 and found out why the arts flourished so much during the Elizabethan Age! We covered the struggles with conscience the Greeks had and the morality plays and why they were so popular at that time in history. We talked about Shakespeare’s Globe theater and why it was important to have a permanent place for plays to be performed. We also talked about Shakespeare’s experiences and reaffirmed Will’s reports. We also found out things that Marlowe tried to teach us in the excerpt from Dr. Faustus. We also talked about sonnets and why the English sonnet was different from Petrarch’s sonnets.

Students were given a handout on Shakespeare’s sonnets. Please complete it for next week and begin Twelfth Night by Shakespeare—Acts I and II. Please bring your study guide with you. We will work on it together in class.

Watch another short video about the Globe Theater.

American History

We reviewed Chapters 7 and 8 and went over the important points in Chapter 9. Next week, we will take a quiz on Chapter 7 for review, After the quiz, I will give you all the answers since many of those same questions will be on the test. We will then do a competitive game review of Chapters 7-9 and a brief review of Chapters 1-6. (Study your past tests to review for this.) Then we will take the test. I Know the students will do well. They’re getting better with each test they take!

Watch these videos about what you are reading and reviewing.

Thomas Jefferson & the Louisiana Purchase

The History of the Star-Spangled Banner for Kids: Francis Scott Key

Battle of New Orleans, in 1814

U.S. Government

We reviewed some of the main points about political parties and then began our comprehensive game review of Lessons 8-12 in addition to our Powerpoint on the Electoral College. /Then we took our test, and I think everyone did really well! Next week, we will have a Powerpoint on the Supreme Court and have pictures of all the members. We will also go over Lessons 16 and 17. (The Law and Trial—since all of the Supreme Court are lawyers and former judges.) Here are the answers for Lesson 16 The Law and Lesson 17 Trial.

Watch the video about the Judicial Branch.

Quick Looks at Great Books

We discussed the ending of the book and found that many students were completely surprised! We talked about the funny AND serious parts of the book. We went over the study guide questions as well as reviewing last week’s questions and taking last week’s quiz. You were also given a genealogy page to keep the characters straight and explain some of Sydney’s prophecies.

For next week, please complete the Chronolog you were given today for review. (Events in chronological order) Also, since you have no reading to do, complete the following terms in your Literary Terms book that I gave you at the beginning of the year: Personification, pages 16-18; Symbol, pages 19-21; Allusion, pages 49-51; Characters and Characterization pages 52-53; and Foreshadowing, pages 64-65. We will have a game review before we take the test.

Watch the following videos to help you review the book.

Practical Public Speaking

We covered a lot of pages in your notebooks today. We tested your listening skills and improved your inflection and articulation with tongue twisters!

Next week, your informative speech is due. The following people will give their speech next week. Briana, Kate, Belle, Will, Grant, Daniel, Avalyn, and Ana Leah. Please be ready with your speech next week, and we will finish with the others the following week. I randomly drew these names except for the ones who volunteered for next week.

Previous Assignments for School Year 2025 – 2026:

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Assignments for 11/03/2025

Assignments for November 3rd, 2025

Hello November

Explorations in British Literature

We went over the entire test for the Middle Ages today and then started our reports. Silja was sick today, but we went through all the rest. I added anything I thought they might need to know. We also talked about the video on the website last week,Why Shakespeare, and focused mainly on words that Shakespeare created like “swagger” and idioms like “break the ice” and “heart of gold”. We talked about Elizabeth the Queen and how England became a great nation. We will finish the homework itself next week.

For next week, read the morality play about Everyman on page 49 and 50 and answer the three questions that follow. On page 59, read about Shakespeare’s stage. You just need to write a paragraph at the bottom of the page. Read about the Royal Fans on page 60 and briefly answer the questions. Read the excerpt from Christopher Marlowe’s Doctor Faustus and answer the questions on page 63. Lastly, complete the little sonnet on pages 65 and 66, along with the questions.

Watch this short tour of Shakespeare’s Globe Theater.

American History

We passed back the tests on Chapters 4-6. The students did much better on this test. Parents, don’t forget to sign the test or text me that you saw it! (269-217-9996) We also went over Chapters 7 and 8. as well as the Chapter Review for each of these. We then played games to continue to review the states and capitals and general history and geography of our country.

Watch the following videos of things you need to know from these chapters.

XYZ Affair

War of 1812

U.S. Government

We reviewed for Quiz #2 and then took the quiz itself. We did a sheet on the core beliefs of our two major parties and the third parties in America. They were supposed to put the sheet in their notebooks with lessons on political parties. We went over the lesson on the President and will quickly go through the Vice-President next week.

Next week, we will have our first Government test on the lessons on Voting, the Electoral College, Political Parties, the President and the Vice-President. (Lessons 8-12) The students were told to add the sheet we did today to the the Political Parties section and the notes from the Powerpoint to the Voting section. (Understanding the Electoral College and the voting map 2022 with updated electoral college counts) Also, complete Lesson 15 on the Supreme Court on pages 58-60.

Watch this video to review the Electoral College before our test.

The Electoral College

Quick Looks at Great Books

We reviewed last week’s reading quickly and then took Quiz # 4. The students are doing well with the discussion and coverage of each section of their reading. They are asking excellent questions! We discussed today’s reading up to the reading of Dr. Manette’s letter that he wrote in his prison cell. He condemned the Evremondes and all their descendants!

For our next reading, we will finish the book by reading Chapters 11-15 and answering study guide questions 73-80.

Here is an explanation of one of the chapters in your reading this week.

Practical Public Speaking

We finished our last four extemporaneous news articles this week, and I helped each student choose a topic for his informative speech. We went over the outline for this speech as well as a planned introduction and conclusion.

Begin planning your informative speech by coming up with an outline, an introduction, and a conclusion. We will cover more pages in your text next week and begin giving our speeches the following two weeks.

Previous Assignments for School Year 2025 – 2026:

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Assignments for 10/27/2025

Assignments for October 27th, 2025

Fall leaves

Explorations in British Literature

We did a comprehensive review of all of Chaucer’s characters and there rest of the test too. Then we covered the homework and questions. (pages 40-43) We also reviewed Gawain and the Green Knight, Morte d’Arthur by Thomas Mallory, The Idylls of the King by Alfred Lord Tennyson, and The Once and Future King by T.H. White. We then took the test. We also went over the reports for those who did not do one last time. (Silja, Violet, Will, Nolan, Evan, and Ky)

Next week, we will do the reports (Renaissance Galaxy page 44). Also, complete the reading on Elizabeth I: Poet and Queen and answer the questions, both on page 45.

Then read Struggles of Conscience in Early Drama on pages 46-48 and answer the questions on page 48. Make sure to obtain a copy of Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night by borrowing, buying, or checking it out of a local library in the next two weeks. (Email me if you can’t remember what you have for your report.)

Watch the following video in preparation for your reading.

American History

We spent time reviewing the quiz you took on Chapter 4. (so you won’t miss the same things on today’s test) Then we played a game competition to review more for the test on Chapters 4-6. We then took the test. Don’t forget to bring back the test on Chapters 1-3 signed by a parent.

For next week, read Chapter 8. (and Chapter 7 if you did not read it last week) We will go over both chapters as well as the Chapter Reviews.

Watch this short video on the need of a new country for a real Constitution.

U.S. Government

Today, we went over the questions I gave you from our Powerpoint last week and reviewed swing states and safe states. We then took the short True/False quiz. We discovered where Thomas Nast got the Idea of a donkey for the Democratic party. It was meant to be a degradation of Andrew Jackson, but he made it a compliment to his virtues! We went through and checked students’ answers for the two parties and began the lesson on The President.

Next week, we will go back and do Quiz #2 on the Senate and House of Representatives. Review pages 23-24 and pages 27-28. Also, complete Lesson 13: Immigration and Lesson 14: Immigration and on Citizenship. Just copy the crossword page in your workbook on pages 49 and 53.

Watch the following video to review the Senate and the House of Representatives.

Quick Looks at Great Books

Today, we reviewed the questions and events of last week’s assignment before taking Quiz #3. We then started our discussion of today’s assignment on Chapters 20-24. We went over Questions 53-58 and various quotes in the book. Naive as he was, at the end of Book 2, Charles Darnay makes the trip to France, thinking he can be beneficial to the revolutionary cause. We watched the BBC video of the court scene and the killing of the child.
Next we finally will get to July 14, 1789 on the video.

For next week, read in Book 3 — The Track of the Storm, Chapters 1-10 and answer Questions 59-72 in your study guide.

Watch this video describing the acquittal of Charles Darnay.

Practical Public Speaking

You did a great job today with speeches on a news article that interested you. I think you have found your type of speech for sure. (Extemporaneous) We will finish the final four next week.

For next week, you have no speech due. Go to page 41 in your notebook—Brainstorming for a Speech Topic. Follow the instructions on the page and bring your three circled ideas to class next week. I will meet with each of you individually to help you decide on a topic and to make sure that we have different topics for everyone. Selecting a topic is sometimes the hardest thing, so you will be ready to start researching your topic. We will talk about introductions, conclusions, and outlines next.

Previous Assignments for School Year 2025 – 2026:

litalive

Assignments for 10/20/2025

Assignments for October 20th, 2025

Fall leaves

Explorations in British Literature

Today, we reviewed for the quiz on the characters in Chaucer’s tales and then took the quiz. You will receive your papers back before the test week so that you do not miss the same thing twice. We discussed the Nun’s Priest’s tale and the Pardoner’s tale and answered the questions given in your text. We went over the British Class Structure and had our reports. (Great job Annie and Payton!)

Next week, study for the test on the Middle Ages. (We will review again before we take it.) Also do the following pages: read the short lyric poem on page 40 and answer the three questions, read the poem on page 41 and answer the questions that follow, and finally, read Love’s Tragic Story. the poem in Fair Margaret and Sweet William. Be prepared to summarize the story.

Watch this video of Monty Python’s parody of Camelot.

American History

We reviewed Chapter 4 and took the quiz. (10 Multiple choice questions and 1 bonus) We then discussed Chapter 6 and the War for Independence.

Next week, study for the test on Chapters 4-6. We will have a game review before we take the test, which will cover everything on the test. Also, read Chapter 7. We will begin to get through it after the test.

Watch the following videos to help your remember key names and events.

Battle of Trenton

Nathan Hale

Benedict Arnold

Don’t forget to have the test on Chapters 1-3 signed by a parent and returned next week.

U.S. Government

We went over the quiz from last week (or took it). Don’t forget to have it signed by a parent and returned next week. (Unless you just took it today.)

We had a power point and game to familiarize ourselves with our country’s Electoral College. We will have a short quiz next week on the notes and the following video. Remember that safe states are ones who can always be depended on the vote the same way, while swing states are ones that could go either way.

For next week, also complete Lesson: 11 The President and Lesson 12: The Vice President.

Quick Looks at Great Books

Today, we took Quiz #2 on the book and went over today’s homework on Book 2—Chapters 10-19. We discussed questions in your study guide and read examples from the book We will take Quiz #3 at the beginning of the next hour and watch portions of the video (BBC version) as well.

For next week, read Chapters 20-24 of Book 2 and answer questions 53-58.

Watch this video of one chapter of your reading.

Practical Public Speaking

We finished our manuscript speeches and our biographical interviews today. We went over several points in our text on Listening.

For next week, we will do our first extemporaneous speech. In preparation for our major speeches to come, this one will only be three minutes. Find a news article that interests you and share it with the class. Give the title and then tell us the main points of the story. You may find a human interest story or a major news event for the week. Use newspapers, magazines, or online news websites. (Fox News, CNN, Kalamazoo Gazette, www.wwmt.com, etc) Use note cards of some kind, but DON’T read the article to us! You should have the major points in your notes, but you should just tell the story, while maintaining eye contact and a conversational tone with your audience.

Previous Assignments for School Year 2025 – 2026:

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Assignments for 10/13/2025

Assignments for October 13th, 2025

Fall leaves

Explorations in British Literature

Today, we went over all the homework. They should study the answers I gave them on pages 32 and 33 and the Crossword puzzle they were given to prepare for next week’s quiz on the characters of The Canterbury Tales. I described each character in detail for them if they missed the correct one. We also went over the page on Geoffrey Chaucer. Next week, we will have the quiz on the characters tor review for these same descriptions on the test on the Middle Ages.

(Annie and Payton, don’t forget your reports on Gawain and the Green Knight and Idylls of the King by Alfred Lord Tennyson)

Watch the following video on Chaucer’s Characters.

Analyze two of Chaucer’s tales on page 39. Answer the questions doing one on another sheet of paper with the same questions. Read the Summary & Analysis of the Pardoner’s Tale and Summary & Analysis of The Nun’s Priest’s Tale.

American History

Today, we reviewed briefly for our test on Chapters 1-3 and then took the test. Then we went over the main points in Chapter 5.

Next week, read Chapter 6 You will receive your tests back on Chapters 1-3, which need to be taken home and signed by a parent.

Watch the following video on America’s First Sailor.

U.S. Government

We reviewed for today’s quiz on the amendments and the articles of the Constitution and then took the quiz. We then went over past lessons the students had done. We will finish the Voting (Lesson 8) next week, along with a Power Point presentation and worksheet on the Electoral College.

These are the answers for Lesson 9: The Republican Party and Lesson 10: The Democrat Party.

Watch this video on the Preamble of the U.S. Constitution.

Quick Looks at Great Books

Today, we took Quiz #1 on the book and went over today’s homework on Book 2—Chapters 1-9. We discussed questions 15-31 in your study guide and read examples from the book of foreshadowing, similes, metaphors, and personification. We will take Quiz #2 at the beginning of the next hour.

For next week, read Chapters 10-19 of Book 2 and answer questions 32-52. (pages 44-46 in your purple study guide)

Watch this video of the last chapter of your reading.

Practical Public Speaking

Nice job today editing your manuscript speeches and conveying the message the speaker intended and giving the time and situation of the prepared speech.

For two weeks from today, we will do our first extemporaneous speech. In preparation for our major speeches to come, this one will only be three minutes. Find a new article that interests you and share it with the class. Give the title and then tell us the main points of the story. You may find a human interest story or a major news event for the week. Use newspapers, magazines, or online news websites. (Fox News, CNN, Kalamazoo Gazette, www.wwmt.com, etc) Use note cards of some kind, but DON’T read the article to us! You should have the major points in your notes, but you should just tell the story, while maintaining eye contact and a conversational tone with your audience.

Previous Assignments for School Year 2025 – 2026:

litalive

Assignments for 10/06/2025

Assignments for October 6th, 2025

Fall leaves

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.

Previous Assignments for School Year 2025 – 2026: