English Language Arts/ English Language Development

As a future elementary teacher, we are expected to know how to teach every subject in a
way our students will understand and expand their knowledge. In order for us teachers to be
successful in achieving that goal, we must focus on how we will teach English Language Arts
and Literacy in our elementary classrooms. The framework points out the five key themes of
ELA/Literacy, and they are: meaning making, language development, effective expression,
content knowledge, and foundational skills. By teaching these skills, were preparing our
students to a world where they will have to apply their knowledge and learning into real life
situations.
The English courses Ive taken such as: Anthropology 312(Language and Culture),
English 305(Critical Reading of Literature), English 308(Analysis of Childrens Literature),
English 350, English 487(Second Language Teaching and Learning), and LBS 355(Writing in
Education) have prepared and helped me improve my writing skills, critical thinking skills,
analyzing and teaching second language learners, by giving me feedback in classwork, and on
homework as well. All these English classes have been interesting and fun, but the one I found
extremely informative and helpful was LBS 355, Writing in Education. The reason this class was
the most informative class was because Professor Otsuji really taught me how to write. She made
sure we wrote our essay papers more than once. We even had to meet with her to discuss ways to
improve our writing. I remember meeting up with her, and giving her my ideas on how I planned
on improving my essay. One thing she pointed out to me about my papers is that I leave details
out, and I guess Im still struggling in this area. These English classes have prepared me to see
everything, from grammar errors (which Im guilty of), as well as to critical think, and to be
prepared to teach newcomers from other countries.

When it comes to English, Im not sure if I can say Im one hundred percent prepared. If
anything, I can say Im afraid of teaching English. Like, where will I start? English has always
been a subject that Ive struggled with, especially because I always leave details out of essays, I
suck at spelling and reading, and what I find a huge challenge is having to teacher newcomers/
ELD students. At my job, I work with a newcomer; hes in the third grade. At times, seeing the
frustration in my students face because he forgets the sound of the v and mixes it up with b
is very heart breaking. At times I feel Im not teaching him correctly which is not only frustrating
to him, who is struggling, but its frustrating to me because I feel Im doing a crappy job. I can
say Im prepared to teach my future students how to critical think, to think beyond the text. But
even then, I doubt myself on whether Im teaching it correctly or not. The only thing that leaves
me at ease is that Ill be able to inform myself, and learn strategies on how to engage students in
English. Nowadays, we can seek help, and we are given all kinds of teacher friendly workshops,
informative meetings at work, and other kinds of resources that will help and reinforce anyone
knowledge in English, in order to be a successful teacher. One thing I fear is for my students not
to learn the material and just memorize it. I really want to be that teacher who changes a childs
life, and makes a positive impact in their academic learning.
Since I didnt know that I would need samples of my classwork (I learned this in LBS
300), most of my hard work was thrown away a few years ago, and its somewhere already
recycled. However, I do have a book I made a few semesters ago from English 487, Second
Language Teaching and Learning. Our final project was to make a book that taught a part of
speech, such as: nouns, pronouns, adverbs, etc. I chose to do verbs, and I tried my best in making
the book rhyme. The book was a lot of fun to make because I had to really think on how I was
going to construct the book, and how I would get my point across that this book was teaching

children about verbs. This book demonstrates my knowledge of learning because I was able to
create something I honestly was extremely doubtful about. English is one of those subjects Ive
felt iffy about, especially because I come from a Spanish speaking home, where Spanish was the
primary language. However, I believe this book connects to my learning in English because it
demonstrates that I learned how to explain verbs in a fun way, which I honestly didnt think Id
be able to.