Syllabus

Course Description 

This brief online course is designed to build competencies and introduce students to the rigors of Honors English. By completing the weekly assignments and the summer work, students will understand what will be expected of them if they choose to enroll in Honors English. While there is no credit for completing this course, students will learn valuable skills that will prepare them for Honors English 8 or English 8. Additionally, students completing this course will have the opportunity to practice using some of the Web 2.0 tools that are part of the eighth-grade curriculum.

Class Objectives

• Understand the demands of an honors-level course

• Practice using good netiquette in the online environment

• Improve reading, writing, and vocabulary skills

What To Do to Be Successful

1. Check the Google Classroom and your email daily

2. Preview all of the assignments and posts early in the week, and make a plan of action to complete the work

3. Read all posts and assignment directions carefully--and then read them again

4. Follow all directions

5. Read any comments posted to returned assignments

6. Email Mrs. Stout with questions; alternatively, you can see her in room 110

Assessment

There are no grades or extra credit for completing course activities; however, all completed work will be recorded. Some assignments will be evaluated with an individual rubric, including assessment criteria related to the assignment. At the conclusion of the course, student progress will be scored and entered into the Performance Rubric. The overall number will be added to the Selection Rubric. Please note that summer activities will count toward your first-quarter grade.

Late Work

Work submitted after the due date and time will result in a deduction on the Performance Rubric. 

Code of Conduct: Rules for Online Behavior

1. Follow all school rules pertaining to academic behavior in school and online as outlined in the Student-Parent Handbook, which can be found on the school website

2. Practice positive digital etiquette.

   1. To interact with others in the online classroom: Distance Learning - Netiquette

   2. To post a comment: 15 Rules of Netiquette for Online Discussion Boards

   3. To email the teacher: How to Write a Clear, Polite Email to a Teacher

Code of Conduct: Academic Honesty

Students who violate the Academic Honesty Agreement while completing work for the Honors English Candidate Program may not be admitted to the course for the 2025-2026 school year and may be subject to disciplinary action as outlined in the Student/Parent Handbook on page 27.

Ways to Contact Mrs. Stout

1. Send an email to k s t o u t @ d s d h s . c o m

   1. Follow the directions provided to format your email

   2. Mrs. Stout will respond within 24 hours

2. Comment on an assignment

3. Stop by room 110

   1. Do not interrupt if there is a class in progress

   2. If you need a pass, see Mrs. Stout

4. Call her at 5 7 0 - 6 7 4 - 7 2 4 3 (parents only)

Honors English Candidate Course Outline 

Essential Questions:

1. In what ways does technology improve our lives?

2. In what ways does technology harm our lives?

3. Do the benefits of technology outweigh the costs?

4. What are some ways to mitigate the downsides of technology?

Course Content:

Below is an outline for the course, including topics and general information about assignments. Assignments are subject to change based on the availability of content and PSSA dates.

Formatting Titles, Capitalization, Analogies, and Allusions

Twelve IXL topics to 100%

Week 1: Class Introduction, Academic Honesty, and Netiquette

Parent/Guardian Email Survey (Google Form)

Welcome Survey (Google Form)

Academic Honesty Video

Academic Honesty Agreement (Google Form)

Digital Etiquette in BrainPOP

Email to Mrs. Stout

Week 2: Reading and Analysis of “The Veldt”

“The Veldt” (reading in CommonLit.org)

Three lessons in Study.com

Discussion of “The Veldt” (YouTube video)

Optional video of “The Veldt”

Week 3: Ray Bradbury, Smart Homes, and Cell Phone Addiction

Ray Bradbury video (PBS video)

Video on smart homes (YouTube)

Article on cell phone addiction (reading in CommonLit.org)

Week 4: Teaching Robots Ethics and Self-Driving Cars

The ethics of self-driving cars (TedEd video on YouTube)

Teaching robots ethics (reading in CommonLit.org)

The pros and cons of self-driving cars (YouTube video)

Weeks 5&6: Free Week (Spring Holiday, ELA PSSA)

Time for a break or to complete ongoing assignments

Weeks 7&8: Final Assignment: Personal Essay

Summer: Summer Journal Assignment

Performance Rubric

To see the performance rubric, log in to a Dallas account