The next class

After lunch I had another class with Joy. This time it was English for Pratom 5. They were also working on colours but in more variety including gold, bronze and sky blue - not to be confused with blue!
Joy said the students were having a hard time getting "sky blue" because they were pronouncing it sa-ky blue. For that I had a quick fix, ready to go! I freed my hands and had them clap with me as I said "Sky Blue". The students have previously covered syllables because Joy then made mention of sky being one syllable not two.  We practised that for a bit before moving on to our next activity. 
Joy had liked the cootie catchers so much that she wanted the older students to make them as well.  My dear Reader, I'll tell you right now that you cannot have an ounce of doubt in your teaching ability if you are about to instruct the largest class size you've ever had in a step by step activity without being sure that they understand what you are going to be saying.  No worries, I am a pro! 
I'm pleased to report that all students were able to follow along well enough to leave class with their own colour cootie catcher.  I was even able to get two students who finished to assist their peers as I continued to float around the group. 
Yes, the sweetness of success was in the air.  No need for any apples for this teacher, smiling students leaving a class is perfect for me.

Teacher Nahdeeahhh

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.

First Day of School

Today was my first day of school. I had a healthy breakfast of fruit and yogurt with a all natural, organic smoothie in a juice box.
My placement is in a local primary school not far from the home base. Today I met Pitsuda or "Khun Tuk", my on site contact.  She's also the grade one teacher, head of English and the school nurse!
My schedule includes grades 1, 2, 3 & 5. Today I went over some of the grade one lessons to get ideas for activities I can implement.
After school, Delaney (another volunteer but not my roommate) and I helped the staff with some meal prep. Okay, all we really did was prepare the beans but hey the meal wouldn't have been the same without it! 
Following my hard work prepping green beans I took a nap.

Later in the afternoon I had a meeting with Pimsuda, the CCS Bangkok director, (not to be confused with Pitsuda) who has suggested I share my Montessori knowledge with the teachers at my school.  That is an awesome opportunity that I will not refuse! If you know me, you know I love the Montessori method. I'll talk this through with Pitsuda before I begin putting something together.  I wish I had my school laptop with me but that thing is probably heavier than 10 lbs on its own.
We had another Thai language lesson today - oh, I forgot to tell you! After we helped with the beans, the cook said thank you and I was able to say you're welcome in Thai! I got it right and I was even happier when she smiled and said "good job" in Thai and I knew what she was saying. Whoohoo!! Safe to say the Thai lessons are working.
Following dinner and dessert, I did some lesson planning for my grade one students based on colours and numbers.  Some of the other volunteers liked what I had found online so I saved the resource on the home computer.  When it comes to teaching resources I'm a firm believer in sharing is caring.
I think I'm all set for tomorrow. Bring on Day 2!