Today was the first "real day" of school. Mr. Thang (isn't that a great name!) gave me my schedule. Initially, I was supposed to teach grades 1-4. But was told, oh by the way, you'll be teaching grade 5 too. Oh, and also by the way, Mr. Sokum's wife is having a baby, so could you cover his classes this week? Sure. Whatever. I have a total of 21 classes. Each class meets 3 times per week. Some days I only teach 2 hours; other days I teach 6.
My first and second graders know virtually nothing. Today, we practiced saying and writing the letters A,B,C. I taught them some vocabulary words such as paper, pencil, and chalkboard. We practiced sit and stand. First, I rotated the words and they would stand up and sit down. Then, I started tricking them by repeating - stand or sit.. They all giggled when someone would do the wrong thing.
Some of the teachers leave at lunch time because they also teach part-time at the state school. The rest of us get to eat free lunch in the cafeteria. Today, we had rice and a vegetable/chicken soup. I just scooped out the broth and veggies and added it to my rice. There was a bowl of small red chili peppers on the table. I threw a few in my meal too, and they were really spicy. Yum!
My third and fourth graders were very polite. When I entered the classroom, they rose, and said, "Good morning, teacher! How are you?" with their hands pressed together in sompaih. They can read some very basic words by sight. I showed them some flashcards with words like: book, clock, backpack, etc. I held up one that said - phone. It was quiet for minute. Then, a little boy in the back of the class shouted, "I-Phone!" Go figure. They live in rice paddies and lack indoor plumbing, but they are up to date on the latest cell phone models.
There are supposed to be textbooks somewhere, but I didn't see one all day. Also, my first and second graders didn't all have pencils or notebooks. When I asked So-poo-et about it, she said, "Oh, not today." "Tomorrow?" I queried hopefully. "Maybe," she said doubtfully.
School ended early today, so I haven't met my fifth graders yet. They said we would end early this week because of the flooding. I don't really understand the logic behind that, but alright. I find it's easier not to ask too many questions.
My first and second graders know virtually nothing. Today, we practiced saying and writing the letters A,B,C. I taught them some vocabulary words such as paper, pencil, and chalkboard. We practiced sit and stand. First, I rotated the words and they would stand up and sit down. Then, I started tricking them by repeating - stand or sit.. They all giggled when someone would do the wrong thing.
Some of the teachers leave at lunch time because they also teach part-time at the state school. The rest of us get to eat free lunch in the cafeteria. Today, we had rice and a vegetable/chicken soup. I just scooped out the broth and veggies and added it to my rice. There was a bowl of small red chili peppers on the table. I threw a few in my meal too, and they were really spicy. Yum!
My third and fourth graders were very polite. When I entered the classroom, they rose, and said, "Good morning, teacher! How are you?" with their hands pressed together in sompaih. They can read some very basic words by sight. I showed them some flashcards with words like: book, clock, backpack, etc. I held up one that said - phone. It was quiet for minute. Then, a little boy in the back of the class shouted, "I-Phone!" Go figure. They live in rice paddies and lack indoor plumbing, but they are up to date on the latest cell phone models.
There are supposed to be textbooks somewhere, but I didn't see one all day. Also, my first and second graders didn't all have pencils or notebooks. When I asked So-poo-et about it, she said, "Oh, not today." "Tomorrow?" I queried hopefully. "Maybe," she said doubtfully.
School ended early today, so I haven't met my fifth graders yet. They said we would end early this week because of the flooding. I don't really understand the logic behind that, but alright. I find it's easier not to ask too many questions.
Cletus din't read books in school. I can send some Dirt and Track magazines. That would be fun!
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