Chemistry

Class Policies and Information

2007-2008                                                  Ms. Kathy Kitzmann                                 

 

I.  Required Books

1.      Modern Chemistry, by Raymond E. Davis, H. Clark Metcalfe, John E. Williams, and Joseph F. Castka, Holt, Rinehart, & Winston, Austin, 2002.

2.      spiral-bound class notebook (2 sections) – for class notes and homework assignments

3.      folder (duo-tang) – for handouts, labs, and tests

 

II.  Grading Policies

            A.  Generally, tests and other grades will be determined according to the following scale.

                        A         93-100                         C         73-76

                        A-        90-92                           C-        70-72

                        B+       87-89                           D+       67-69

                        B          83-86                           D         63-66

                        B-        80-82                           D-        60-62

                        C+       77-79                           NC      Below 60  (no credit)

B.     Grades will be determined on a total point basis.  Tests, quizzes, lab reports, and homework will contribute to the final total.  It is recommended that you keep track of your grade throughout the grading period by keeping a running total of points earned and points possible.  You should also check the grades I have for you by checking PowerSchool periodically.  Please let me know if you note any errors or omissions.

C.     Like all junior/senior level courses, Chemistry is offered for credit/letter grade option.  Students who desire credit only must clearly communicate their decision to their counselors before the end of the fourth cycle.

 

III.  Academic Policies

A.     Class notes:  Each student is expected to keep class notes in the first section of her spiral notebook.  Handouts, lab reports, quizzes, and tests should be kept in a separate notebook (not filed inside the textbook.)  You should be able to produce any past work at the instructor’s request.  Notes should be written in link to promote legibility and permanence.

B.     Class assignments:  All homework assignments (unless it is designated a “collected assignment”) should be done in the second section of the spiral notebook.  Follow these quidelines:

1.      Begin each new assignment on a separate page.

2.      Put the chapter number and page number of the assignment at the top of the page.

3.      Number each problem clearly.

4.      Pen or pencil may be used.

5.      When solving problems, show how you arrive at the answer.  Do not just give the answer.

6.      Each calculated answer should have units, the correct number of significant figures, and be boxed.

     Students are expected to being homework assignments when time is given in class.  “Collected assignments” should be done on regular looseleaf paper or on the handout provided.  Follow the guidelines given above. 

C.     Class preparation:  Always come to class prepared – bring your own textbook, notebook, homework, paper, pens and/or sharpened pencils, and calculator.  For tests, each student should have her own calculator.  If you do not own one, it is recommended that you purchase one for use on homework as well.

D.  Enrichment Activities:  A portion of your grade this year will be based on completing certain enrichment activities.  You will be given many options from which you may choose.  More information will be given about this on a separate handout.

E.  Overhead riddles/puzzles:  Most days at the beginning of class there will be some kind of puzzle or riddles to solve on the overhead projector.  Please spend the first couple of minutes of class time considering the daily puzzle.

F.  Absences:  Your presence in class will be an essential step in your learning chemistry.  If you are absent (an it is an excused absence) it is your responsibility to find out what has been missed.  (Find out the phone number of at least one other person in your class.)

1.      Missed assignments:  Check the class schedule to find out what you missed while you were absent.  If you miss one or two days, all work missed is due the day after you return to school.  If you miss three or more days, you will have three school days to make up missed work.  Any assignments not done will receive a zero.  A few zeroes on assignments can significantly affect your grade.

2.      Missed labs:  If you are absent when a lab is scheduled, please see me the day you return to school.  You will either be required to make up the lab on your “off” day or before or after school, or you will be given data which you can use to write up a report.  Labs need to be made up within one cycle.

3.      Missed quizzes/tests:  If you miss a quiz, you will be expected to take it the day you return.  If you miss a test, you will be expected to take the test within a few days, preferably during your “off” day.  You may be given a make-up test that will be different from that given on the scheduled test day.  Tests that are not made up within one cycle may be given a zero.

G. Tardies:  If you arrive late for class you will have already been marked absent.  If you want this absence changed to a tardy, you must hand me a written excuse from a staff member when you walk in or talk to me after class.  Three tardies is equal to one unexcused absence.  Three unexcused absences is an automatic drop from the class.

H. Late Papers:  It is expected that all collected assignments will be turned in on time.  A significant amount of points will be deducted for late assignments; no assignments will receive more than 1/2 credit if the rest of the class has received the assignment back.  You will also receive a "coupon" good for on late assignment per semester.

I.   Cheating/Copying:  Anyone caught cheating on an exam or quiz will receive an automatic zero on that test or quiz.  Parents and the dean of students will also be informed.  The following acts are considered to be cheating during a test or quiz: talking to anyone other than the teacher, looking at another student’s paper, bringing a “cheat sheet”, looking at books or papers in an attempt to find information, and passing anything between students.

Homework and lab reports are meant to be done individually.  If any collaboration is suspected on part or all of an assignment, all parties involved will be penalized.  If  a student is found to have another student’s homework or lab report in her possession, both parties will receive zeroes.

J.  Poor Test:  A student who does poorly on a test may find a form attached to her test when she gets it back.  This form must be completed by the student, signed by her parents, and returned to the teacher the next day.  Failure to do this may result in a zero for the test.

K.   Calculators:  Students may use calculators on homework, quizzes, tests, and the semester exam.  Graphing calculators are not allowed on test or the semester exam.  Students should arrange to purchase a basic scientific calculator, such as a TI-30, for use during chemistry tests.

L. Tutors:  Some tutors are available from students taking the AP Chemistry course.  If you feel you need a tutor, you need to give me a sheet of paper with your name, your adviser’s name, and the days and times you have available to meet with a tutor.  I will try to find someone who can meet with you.  Ask early – don’t wait until you are so far behind or you have been struggling for weeks with bad test grades.

M. Extra help:  My office is located next to the Chemistry lab, behind the chemistry workroom.  My schedule is posted on the hallway bulletin board by N-10 and also on the door to my office.  If possible, please notify me in advance if you need to see me.

N.  E-mail:  I have a website that is connected to Mercy's website.  We will also be using Moodle a lot this year so you should get used to checking Moodle on a regular basis.  You (or your parents) can reach me, if necessary, by email at:  kakitzmann@mhsmi.org.

O.  Phone number:  My direct line at school is: 248-893-3527.