This evening I'm flying out with a group of five other volunteers to Chiang Mai. Adventure awaits!
Friday, 17 July 2015
Cultured Chic
This morning we set off early for our cultural excursions. A huge part of my attraction the CCS programme is their commitment to providing volunteers with exposure to the local culture. Today we were going to see the Golden Mountain, or Golden Mount, and the Museum of Siam. I wasn't sure if I was going to do the museum because I hadn't quite packed for my weekend trip and since I'm here for so long I figured I could always go on my own or with the next group of volunteers.
Wat Saket is one of Bangkok's historic temples built during King Rama I's reign. The Golden Mount refers to the large golden prang/ chedi/pagoda that King Rama III ordered to be constructed on the Wat Saket grounds in the 1800s. King Rama IV and King Rama V continued construction until it reached completion.
Our vans were somehow separated in the traffic and after waiting for a little while, Jiea sent our group up to the top and said she would bring the others to meet us. We stopped for a quick photo-op in front of the three wise monkey statues. Sources say that there are over 300 steps to reach the top. I can neither confirm nor deny as counting steps wasn't on my priority list. In fact, it was so low that I was upset to realise I had forgotten to put my Samsung Gear Fit watch on before leaving the house. It was in my bag, not counting my steps. Oh, well!
Interesting fact: In the late 1800s Wat Saket served as the city's crematorium.
On the climb to the top there are prayer bells and climbing vines. The stairs are not steep at all so the climb was pretty relaxed. Once you ascend the stairs you'll be rewarded by a lovely view of the city before heading in to the temple.
In the temple many people come to offer lotus flowers, candles, incense and prayers. Inside of the temple you will find a short, steep staircase that leads up to the Golden Mount. Before the introduction of the skyscrapers it was the tallest building in Bangkok and it still provides an excellent view. There are gongs which I am led to believe are for ringing after making a wish.
I would definitely add this to your places to visit if you are coming to Bangkok.
After the Golden Mount we headed over to the Museum of Siam to learn more about the history of the Thai people. The museum is in the style of an interactive discovery museum, which is my favourite type! I enjoyed trading with neighbouring merchants, shooting canons in an Ayuthaya-era battle game and dressing up in historic "fashionable" clothing. Some of the volunteers did not appreciate the "childishly" feel of the museum but for those of you who are young at heart or traveling with little ones I wouldn't skip this attraction.
Wat Saket is one of Bangkok's historic temples built during King Rama I's reign. The Golden Mount refers to the large golden prang/ chedi/pagoda that King Rama III ordered to be constructed on the Wat Saket grounds in the 1800s. King Rama IV and King Rama V continued construction until it reached completion.
Our vans were somehow separated in the traffic and after waiting for a little while, Jiea sent our group up to the top and said she would bring the others to meet us. We stopped for a quick photo-op in front of the three wise monkey statues. Sources say that there are over 300 steps to reach the top. I can neither confirm nor deny as counting steps wasn't on my priority list. In fact, it was so low that I was upset to realise I had forgotten to put my Samsung Gear Fit watch on before leaving the house. It was in my bag, not counting my steps. Oh, well!
Interesting fact: In the late 1800s Wat Saket served as the city's crematorium.
On the climb to the top there are prayer bells and climbing vines. The stairs are not steep at all so the climb was pretty relaxed. Once you ascend the stairs you'll be rewarded by a lovely view of the city before heading in to the temple.
In the temple many people come to offer lotus flowers, candles, incense and prayers. Inside of the temple you will find a short, steep staircase that leads up to the Golden Mount. Before the introduction of the skyscrapers it was the tallest building in Bangkok and it still provides an excellent view. There are gongs which I am led to believe are for ringing after making a wish.
I would definitely add this to your places to visit if you are coming to Bangkok.
After the Golden Mount we headed over to the Museum of Siam to learn more about the history of the Thai people. The museum is in the style of an interactive discovery museum, which is my favourite type! I enjoyed trading with neighbouring merchants, shooting canons in an Ayuthaya-era battle game and dressing up in historic "fashionable" clothing. Some of the volunteers did not appreciate the "childishly" feel of the museum but for those of you who are young at heart or traveling with little ones I wouldn't skip this attraction.
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| Testing the selfie stick! |
Thursday, 16 July 2015
Unselfie
This morning was my first class with Khun Kotoi. Kotoi and I had a Prathom 3 class. I have always said P4s are antsy because they were getting ready to move up but I think it's more of a developmental stage than I realised. I definitely noticed a few similarities.
After introductions and a morning medley of If You're Happy and You Know it and Heads, Shoulders, Knees and Toes we got to work. The students were learning about meals. We reviewed how to say and spell an apple, an orange, veggie soup, meat, fried rice, spaghetti and a sandwich. This was a newly introduced unit so the students were not as confident as the others were with their colours yesterday.
We played a few rounds of hangman and then the students copied down the date and a sentence before it was time for lunch.
At the end of the class each row lined up and said thank you to both teachers before leaving the class.
In the afternoon I had my adorable Prathom 1/2 class again but this time with Pitsuda. It was lovely to see familiar faces that recognised me. For today's lesson the students were introduced to greetings, namely Hi and Hello. Pitsuda sang them a very cute greeting song that I managed to sing along with her (teacher tip: sometimes you have to fake it til you make it). After the students had completed their workbook page we did a review of colours and numbers using Uno cards until class was finished. At the end of class Pitsuda did what I've been aching to do this entire week- she took a photo with the children! So without further ado, here are the first photos of me teaching in Thailand!
After introductions and a morning medley of If You're Happy and You Know it and Heads, Shoulders, Knees and Toes we got to work. The students were learning about meals. We reviewed how to say and spell an apple, an orange, veggie soup, meat, fried rice, spaghetti and a sandwich. This was a newly introduced unit so the students were not as confident as the others were with their colours yesterday.
We played a few rounds of hangman and then the students copied down the date and a sentence before it was time for lunch.
At the end of the class each row lined up and said thank you to both teachers before leaving the class.
In the afternoon I had my adorable Prathom 1/2 class again but this time with Pitsuda. It was lovely to see familiar faces that recognised me. For today's lesson the students were introduced to greetings, namely Hi and Hello. Pitsuda sang them a very cute greeting song that I managed to sing along with her (teacher tip: sometimes you have to fake it til you make it). After the students had completed their workbook page we did a review of colours and numbers using Uno cards until class was finished. At the end of class Pitsuda did what I've been aching to do this entire week- she took a photo with the children! So without further ado, here are the first photos of me teaching in Thailand!
Wednesday, 15 July 2015
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.
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.
Gratitude
Last night I spent a nice chunk of time talking to Rebecka, a volunteer in her third week of the CCS Bangkok programme. She was part of our welcoming committee at the airport.
During our conversation it was eerie how many things we had in common, beginning with our love of elephants and tattoos. Rebecca was writing a postcard to a friend which reminded me that I was going to send a postcard to myself each day. When I told her she said she had thought about that too until her mom gave her a gratitude journal. The idea is to write something you're thankful for everyday and on days when you are feeling down you can look back in the journal to pick yourself up again. I loved it! I explained that I had purchased a journal for this trip but hadn't been using it because I was attempting to keep up with the blog. I think my journal just met its new purpose.
This morning I found myself having breakfast alone due to the difference in schedules of the various volunteer placements. As I sat there enjoying the peacefulness of the empty house, listening to the chirping birds, I added a little extra to my grace. Today I am thankful for this incredible opportunity.
During our conversation it was eerie how many things we had in common, beginning with our love of elephants and tattoos. Rebecca was writing a postcard to a friend which reminded me that I was going to send a postcard to myself each day. When I told her she said she had thought about that too until her mom gave her a gratitude journal. The idea is to write something you're thankful for everyday and on days when you are feeling down you can look back in the journal to pick yourself up again. I loved it! I explained that I had purchased a journal for this trip but hadn't been using it because I was attempting to keep up with the blog. I think my journal just met its new purpose.
This morning I found myself having breakfast alone due to the difference in schedules of the various volunteer placements. As I sat there enjoying the peacefulness of the empty house, listening to the chirping birds, I added a little extra to my grace. Today I am thankful for this incredible opportunity.
Tuesday, 14 July 2015
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.
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!
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