Joan's Thailand Journal: Miscellaneous, disjointed, trivial information about my experience in the schools in Thailand

I worked in the classroom at the larger school this week. There are 2 of every grade, K-6, some classes are as large as 29 students. The 4th, 5^th, and 6^th grades I am working with average mid 20’s. There are a couple of pictures showing the size of the large school and a couple showing the school store where the kids can buy snacks. I was tickled by how many had ice cream before school.

I only know a little about boy scouts and girl scouts here, but it is a big deal. The story I heard is that the King was in boy scouts in the states at some point in his education. He had a great experience and had it started in Thailand schools. In SIngburi, where we trained, I saw the kids on a scouting outing, playing in the water and they “camped” out overnight at school. They love it. Today at my smaller school, it was scout day and they all wore their uniforms. They are so adorable with their scarves and hats. I took the picture of one little boy to show his bottle of whiteout hanging from his shoulder. They all have whiteout and they use it, very much perfectionists.

Both schools have “smart boards”. Not the same software I had at Annunciation, but the same idea. It is great to be able to create games and use the internet interactively. Both of my co-teachers are totally on board with using technology and we should be able to create fun activities.

Finally, I am happy about my school wardrobe options. Proper clothing has been an issue from the start. We were told we needed shoes that closed in the back, blouses and shirts with collars, and skirts. I did not have enough during training and we had to change clothes 4 times a day, biking to language, then to technical training, and back home. I was hot and sweaty all the time. I got a few things here that I don’t really like and it has just continued to be a problem. So, at one school on Tuesday all of the teachers wear the same pink shirt. I am getting one and that takes care of one day. At the second school, most of the teachers wear a traditional Thai shirt and I have one, that takes care of one day there. So, I need one outfit a week, one day at each school, and sandals seems fine at both schools and tops without collars are fine too as long as you look professional. Tough problems for a Peace Corp volunteer?
5th grade with one co-teacher