Portland Waldorf School

Spanish program
Joseph Wyatt
(503) 536 5344
(Don Jos)
2014-2015

9
th
grade Spanish
Syllabus
Following a review of all grammar presented in the 8th grade Spanish class, Students will study
the present, present and past progressive tenses, the two past tenses (preterite and imperfect);
all irregular verbs and verbs with spelling changes as well as reflexive verbs. Informal and
formal assessments will be conducted daily and weekly during each month-long unit.

Vocabulary will be reviewed as well, dealing with everyday life activities presented in
the early grades but may be formatted differently.

Reading and Literature materials will place emphasis on historical anecdotes,
narratives, poetry and biographical sketches from legends and fables. Students will
also read, write, comprehend and study stories, poems, and literary works, by renown
Hispanic/Latino authors.

Writing begins with correct sentence structure developed during grammar exercises.

Speaking the language is expected during most of the period. Every effort will be
made to extend and improve speaking skills through conversation, songs and tongue
twisters.

a. El Cid and El Conde Lucanor, an epic poem and a set of tales of old Spain will be
studied.

b. Two short stories or a short novel will be covered per month. Students will also act
out scenes from stories. At least one project will be assigned each semester.

c. Poetry 1-3 poems will be worked with each month. Students will be encouraged
to recite verses and entire poems.



d. Materials and titles of short stories will include: Easy Spanish Reader 2
nd
ed. by
William T. Tardy, United Fruit Co. by Pablo Neruda, Chile, Un Stradivarius by Vicente Gmez
Palacio, Mxico.

There is a class set of Spanish verb books and a class set of Spanish/English Dictionaries
provided for student use.
Grades:
Honors: those students wishing to earn honors will be required to complete top quality
work as well as complete additional assignments. Students can expect two or three extra
assignments per semester.
Participation = 20% - Each student will receive the grade of A, B, or C based on her/his
classroom behavior, punctuality, attendance and classroom language participation.
80% = total points for completion of targets handed out at the beginning of each month-
long unit, which will include quizzes, projects, homework, recitation of conjugations,
poetry, and vocabulary knowledge.
Assignments turned in after the due date will be downgraded.
Computer translated work will not be accepted for any work completed outside of the
classroom.
STUDENTS ARE EXPECTED TO BE:
PUNCTUAL
PRESENT
POSITIVE
POLITE