Prescott High School 2015-2016
Concepts of Chemistry
Instructor: Mrs. Michelle Ritzer
Room 306
Contact Information
Email:​
[email protected]
Website: ​
https://sites.google.com/a/prescottschools.com/ritzer-s-science-web/
Phone:​
(928) 445-2322 ext. 306
Office Hours:
Tuesday 2:30-3:15 pm, Wednesday: 7:15–7:45 am, Thursday 2:30-3:15 pm
If a student can’t make it to any of these office hours I will be willing make appointments.
Course Overview:
Concepts of Chemistry is a course designed to give the student a basic knowledge and overview of chemistry. In this
course a wide variety of topics will be covered in a manner to provide the students with a foundation to continue on
with other chemistry courses in the future, if desired.
Units of Study
1st​
​Quarter: Introduction to Chemistry, Matter and Change, Measurement, Atomic Structure, Periodic Table
2nd​
​Quarter: Thermochemistry, Ionic and Metallic Bonding, Inorganic Nomenclature, Covalent Bonding
3rd​
​Quarter: Chemical Quantities, Chemical Reactions, Stoichiometry, States of Matter
4th​
​Quarter: Water and Aqueous Systems, Gas Laws, Solutions, Kinetics, Equilibrium, Acids and Bases
Required Materials – Bring to Class Everyday
● Required Textbook – Chemistry, Prentice Hall
● 1.5” three ring binder
● 1 Composition Notebook with graph paper
● College ruled paper
● Scientific or Graphing Calculator
● Pens and Pencils
● Highlighter
Grading System:​
All grades are based on a percentage scale with all percentages based on weighted category system.
Grading Scale​
:
A = 90-100%
B = 80-89%
C = 70-79%
D = 60-69%
F = 59% and lower
Assessments = 60%
There will be an assessment nearly every other week that covers not only material from the current week, but also
will include review problems. This will ensure that the students are keeping up with new material, and also retaining
past knowledge. I believe that frequent assessments are good; because it makes the students accountable each week
for the information they have learned. It also reduces the amount of new material on each assessment, so they
should be more manageable. There will be semester finals after the 2nd​
​and 4th​
​quarters. The second semester final
exam covers material from the entire year. Because tests count for more than half your grade, it is imperative that
you prepare thoroughly for each and every test. ​
If you are absent the day of an assessment, you must make it up
the day you return.
Homework = 20%
This class is largely about solving multi-step word problems that combine chemistry and algebra. Mastering these
types of problems take time and lots of practice. Therefore, homework will be assigned in this class nearly every
night.
Lab Work = 20%
On average, there will be about one lab per week, usually on Thursdays. Labs are an important component to
understanding the content of the course, and every attempt should be made to attend class during labs. ​
However, if
a student must miss class, labs can be made up during my office hours within one week of the lab date. If the lab
isn’t made up in that time, the students will receive a zero.​
Labs are due one week after the day it was completed.
This gives the students time to complete all of the various sections of the lab report. In addition, the students will
type a formal lab report once a semester to gain experience in technical writing.
Semester Grade:
Semester grade = 1st​
​quarter (40%) + 2nd​
​quarter (40%) + Semester Exam (20%)
Make-Up Work​
:
No make-up work will be given for unexcused absences. For excused absences, you will be given one day plus the
number of days absent from this class to make up the work missed. Homework and class work will be posted on my
google site everyday. If a student is absent, it is their responsibility to go online, complete the assignment, and turn it
in. It is not my responsibility to keep track of each student’s missing assignments and hand him or her a packet of
missed work. Make-up tests and labs need to be completed within a week of the test or lab date.
Absent On Test Day:
If you are absent on the day of a test or quiz, you are expected to take the test or quiz the day you return to school.
Being absent does not give you a week to make up a test. You must schedule a time outside of class, and you will be
given the same amount of time as everybody else. If you are absent for a review day but present the day of the test,
you will take the test along with everybody else. If you miss material leading up to a test, it is ​
your responsibility to
get help prior to the test.​
Test Retake Policy:
You may retake ONE major test per quarter, ​
if all your homework is turned in up to that point​
. If you are not happy
with your grade on a test, you must schedule two times outside of class: once to get help on questions you missed,
and once to take the test. A test retake must be within one week of receiving the grade for the test to be retaken.
You will be given an alternate version of the test and will have the same amount of time as everybody else. Your
retest grade will be the grade that is recorded. This means if you do worse on the retake, that will be the score
recorded in the grade book. No retesting will be permitted during the final week of the quarter.
Late Work​
:
Late work will be worth 50% of the score earned regardless of the magnitude of latency (minutes or days). For
example, if a student turns in a late assignment that would have received an 80% if completed on time, the student
will receive a 40% due to its tardiness. It is late if it isn’t in my hand at the time of collection.
Class Absences:
Due to the nature of high school I am aware students miss class for a variety of reasons such as sports, drama, clubs,
etc. Even if a student has an excused absence due to a school related activity, the student is still expected to
complete missed tests and labs within one week of the absence. No exceptions. For homework expectations see
“Make-Up Work.”
Cheating:
I have no tolerance for cheating. I expect my chemistry students to always act with integrity and honesty. If I catch a
student cheating, he/she will receive a zero for that assignment. If a student lends his/her homework to another
student so it can be copied, both students will receive a zero, because both students are cheating and neither is
acting in an honest manner. If a student cheats during a test, that student will receive a zero and not be allowed a
make-up test. Some possible infractions that would result in a zero include: wandering eyes and looking at other
students’ answers, using a notecard on the back of your calculator, or writing on their hand.
Extra Credit​
:
My goal is to prepare students for college. I very rarely provide extra credit opportunities. Extra credit isn’t available
at university institutions. The best way to get a good grade is to keep up with homework and study for tests.
Class Website:
I have created a class website that includes some very helpful and useful information for you. There is a calendar
with homework assignments, test dates, due dates, etc. I will also post all of the answers to the homework, extra
practice problems, and answers to those problems as well. However, to receive credit for homework assignments,
you must show all work as to how you came up with the answer.
Personal Electronic Devices Expectations:
Electronics are very much a part of today’s society, education, and the future. I know students have access to
electronic devices all the time and will have access to them in college. As a teacher it is my responsibility to teach
them when it is necessary to use their device in an academic and professional setting. If electronic devices are being
used inappropriately during class time, for example when I am directly addressing the class, they will be confiscated
and returned to the student at the end of the day.
Classroom Rules and Expectations:
Rule:​
“Behave in a manner that does not hinder the learning, safety, or well-being of any student.”
Expectations:
1. Personal needs on personal time.
2. Come to class prepared, on time, and dressed appropriately.
3. Follow teacher instruction.
4. Respect everyone.
Consequences:
1st​
​offence – Verbal Warning
2nd​
​offence – Seating Change
3rd​
​offence – Call home to parents
Future offences – Detention and/or behavior contract, as needed
Tardy Policy​
:​
You are tardy if you are not in your seat when the bell rings.
This is a challenging course where daily attendance and showing up on time is necessary to succeed. The school tardy
policy is on the school website. It is summarized below:
1st​
​
, 2nd​
​, and 3rd​
​tardies of each semester ​
→​
Verbal Warning
th​
4​tardy ​
→​
1 hour after school detention with administration
Chronic ​
→​
attendance contract
Hall Passes​
: If you need to leave class you must sign out and in using the sheet near my door. There will be a
laminated hall pass for you to carry with you. You may only go out for a pass one student at a time unless it is an
emergency. You can use the hall pass any time you would like as long as it is not disruptive to the class
How To Do Well In This Course
● Come to class everyday, on time, and prepared for the lesson.
● Use your agenda and notebook to stay organized!
● Pay attention to what is being taught in class; take notes and review them later.
● Try to relate what you are studying in class to your everyday life.
● Possess a genuine desire to learn.
● Review, Review, Review
● Know when it is ok to be loud and playful and when it is time to be quiet and attentive.
● And most importantly… Come to class with a positive and productive attitude!
Syllabus Agreement Form 2015-2016
Concepts of Chemistry
Instructor: Mrs. Michelle Ritzer
Room 306
Both the students and the parents must sign this sheet acknowledging that you have read
and you understand the syllabus and safety agreement on back of this page. ​
This signature
page is due on Friday August 7, 2016 for a homework grade.
We have read, understand, and agree to the rules and expectations outlined in the syllabus:
Student Name (please print): _________________________________________
Student signature: __________________________________________________
Student email (optional): _______________________________________________
Parent/Guardian Name (please print): ___________________________________________
Parent/Guardian signature: ____________________________________________________
Parent/Guardian email: ________________________________________________________
Home phone number: __________________________________________________
Work phone number: __________________________________________________