Today was my first day of teaching at Wat Wetawan. Respect is an important part of the Thai culture. As Pitsuda and I walked through the hallways the students smile and politely bowed as they passed us.
I was introduced as Teacher Nadia which when spoken by a group of Thai students sounds a lot more like Teachah Nahdeeahhh. I'll take it. My first class was a group of ridiculously cute grade ones. In Thai grade is Pratom, so the class was Pratom 1/2 with Khun Joy. The children were full of smiles and giggles. I should note that attendance usually increases during periods of known English volunteers. Having a native speaking English teacher in your class is a big deal!
The children were reviewing colours with Khun Joy when I arrived (note about Thai time later). I jumped right in, showing the colours and saying the English name with the children repeating after me. I realised right away that there will be a group of Thai children speaking English with a hint of Bermudian accent by the time I'm finished out here!
After our review, Joy and I handed out the worksheets she had prepared. The children had to colour in a box and trace the word for each colour. I walked around providing assistance and attempting to learn the children's names - a lot of work to do in that department!
When the children finished their sheets they read their answers to me and I provided the much coveted star sticker {insert gasp from all my Montessorian friends here}. A group of particularly giggly girls finished before the other students. Having prepared the night before, I whipped out what my students at home call a "cootie catcher". If you're an 80s baby like me you probably will recognise it as a fortune teller. Thanks to Pinterest and Teachers Pay Teachers I had found the perfect one already created and ready to fold.
I showed the girls how to play. It involved a minor review of numbers, letters and then naming the colour they revealed in the cootie catcher, finishing with a high 5 from Teacher Nahdeeahhh. Overall, it was a great start to my first day.
I was introduced as Teacher Nadia which when spoken by a group of Thai students sounds a lot more like Teachah Nahdeeahhh. I'll take it. My first class was a group of ridiculously cute grade ones. In Thai grade is Pratom, so the class was Pratom 1/2 with Khun Joy. The children were full of smiles and giggles. I should note that attendance usually increases during periods of known English volunteers. Having a native speaking English teacher in your class is a big deal!
The children were reviewing colours with Khun Joy when I arrived (note about Thai time later). I jumped right in, showing the colours and saying the English name with the children repeating after me. I realised right away that there will be a group of Thai children speaking English with a hint of Bermudian accent by the time I'm finished out here!
After our review, Joy and I handed out the worksheets she had prepared. The children had to colour in a box and trace the word for each colour. I walked around providing assistance and attempting to learn the children's names - a lot of work to do in that department!
When the children finished their sheets they read their answers to me and I provided the much coveted star sticker {insert gasp from all my Montessorian friends here}. A group of particularly giggly girls finished before the other students. Having prepared the night before, I whipped out what my students at home call a "cootie catcher". If you're an 80s baby like me you probably will recognise it as a fortune teller. Thanks to Pinterest and Teachers Pay Teachers I had found the perfect one already created and ready to fold.
I showed the girls how to play. It involved a minor review of numbers, letters and then naming the colour they revealed in the cootie catcher, finishing with a high 5 from Teacher Nahdeeahhh. Overall, it was a great start to my first day.
Sounds like fun!
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