Jessica Parker

LBS 400
3/20/15
English/Language Arts Reflection
One must be very knowledgable to be able to teach English Language Arts and Literacy
in an elementary classroom. One must know the five key themes for CA CSSS for
ELA/Literature and CA ELD Standards. The five key themes include: meaning making, language
development, effective expression, content knowledge and foundational skills. One must also
need to be knowledgable with the context for learning, which means integrating the curricula,
engaging learners, respecting learners, and ensuring intellectual challenges.
My English Language Arts and Literacy classes have done more than prepared me for my
future as an elementary English teacher. Each English class has taught me something different
and has enlightened me in different ways. My English 305 class has taught me how to analyze
childrens literature and read between the lines. While my English 308 class has taught me how
to look at poetry with a critical approach and figure out what each line in the passage actually
means. Eventually I moved on to LBS 355, which taught me how to write a perfect essay. When
I say perfect, I mean I was taught how to construct a perfect thesis, create the best conclusion,
insert topic sentences when needed and learn all the grammar tricks. All of the English classes I
have taken here at Dominguez Hills have filled my brain with a great amount of information that
I will take with me to my future classroom.
When it comes to English Language Arts and Literacy there are specific areas where I
feel confident but then there are areas well I feel less prepared. One area that I feel well prepared
in is childrens literature. When I say childrens literature, I mean I am good at taking the story

apart and analyzing it. I also feel very prepared in constructing an argument and backing that
argument up with the correct evidence. On the other hand, there are areas of English that Im not
so good at. One area I feel less prepared in is poetry. It might have something to do with the fact
that I find poetry extremely boring or it could be that I just dont understand it at all. Another
area of English that I feel less prepared in is critical thinking. Critical thinking has always been
such a struggle for me. No matter how hard I practice it I just cant seem to grasp the concept.
However, I will continue to practice these specific areas because one day I will need to know
how to teach them to a group of kids.
For my Liberal Studies portfolio I plan on using two different work samples. The first
work sample I am going to use is an essay I wrote on the Common Core Standards from my LBS
355 writing in education class. I am choosing this specific work sample because it seems very
appropriate since we are learning about the Common Core Standards and how to conduct a
lesson plan with these standards. The second work sample I am going to use for my portfolio is a
phonology project from my ENG 487 class, which is my intro to second language english class. I
chose this work sample because this project was mainly about breaking down each word in a
specific passage. Pretty much, its like going back to first grade when you are first learning how
to read. Both of these work samples demonstrate my knowledge of learning in English Language
Arts and Literacy because without doing these projects or essays I would not know what I know
today. The millions of essays that I have conducted in my college career have helped me not only
become the writer I am today, but also has given me a more positive attitude towards school. As
for the phonology project, learning how to pick apart words with the different sounds in the
English Language has helped me become a great reader. The extra practice I am getting with
phonology will carry on with me when I am teaching my future students. All of my English

classes here at Dominguez Hills have given me all of the knowledge I need to teach English
Language Arts and Literacy in an elementary classroom.