Honors English Candidate Program (7th Grade)
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 grammar skills
What To Do to Be Successful
Check the Google Classroom and your email daily
Preview all of the assignments and posts early in the week, and make a plan of action to complete the work
Read all posts and assignment directions carefully--and then read them again
Follow all directions
Read any comments posted to returned assignments
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
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
Practice positive digital etiquette.
To interact with others in the online classroom: Distance Learning - Netiquette
To post a comment: 15 Rules of Netiquette for Online Discussion Boards
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 2022-2023 school year and may be subject to disciplinary action as outlined in the Student/Parent Handbook on page 27.
Ways to Contact Mrs. Stout
Send an email to k s t o u t @ d s d h s . c o m
Follow the directions provided to format your email
Mrs. Stout will respond within 24 hours
Comment on an assignment
Stop by room 110
Mrs. Stout is generally available to help students during periods 1, 5, and 7
Do not interrupt if there is a class in progress (periods 2, 3, 4, & 6)
If you need a pass, see Mrs. Stout
Call her at 5 7 0 - 6 7 4 - 7 2 4 3 (parents only)
Honors English Candidate Course Outline
Essential Questions:
In what ways does technology improve our lives?
In what ways does technology harm our lives?
Do the benefits of technology outweigh the costs?
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.
Ongoing Assignments Due at End: Formatting Titles, Capitalization, Analogies, and Allusions
Seven IXL topics
Two Study.com lessons
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
Writing an Email of Concern
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)
Week 5: The Poetic Form Haiku
Haiku poetry (YouTube video)
Technology Haiku (reading in CommonLit.org)
Optional video of Sokka's Haiku Battle (YouTube video)
Week 6: History of Time
The History of Time (YouTube video)
Week 7: Poetry Forms Compare/Contrast
Two poems about technology (websites)
Weeks 8&9: Final Assignment: Personal Essay
Summer: Summer Journal Assignment