Teaching Day 2

Teaching at Demonstration School Udon Thani Rajabhat University

Anuban Sam, Age 5-6 years old.

day two still challenging, but easier..

Class started at 9.30. I began my class with sing and dance activity, and did some relaxations afterwards to prepare students for learning activity. 

I was accompanied by fellow pre-school major students who assigned to observe at school. when I put the student into the conducive situation for learning, they were there to help me so that I could start my the class with an ease. 

I began the learning activity by explaining the students about fruits and it names like I did yesterday just to remind the students about the theme. Today I added their knowledge about the shape of the fruit. I taught them about the shape such as, Round, Oval, Triangle and so on.

the main activity was playing "play-dough" and shaping the dough into the fruit that has the same shape with Oval, Round, Triangle and Heart shape. Firstly, I asked few students to touch and hold the fruits and let them mention what kind of shape that has the same shape with the fruit they touched. after that, students played the dough and made their own fruits from dough that been prepared before.

when the students finished shaping their own fruits, they identified the shape of fruit they made and wrote it down on the paper. This activity's goals was to practice their motoric developmental and also knowledge because they learned about the shape and it names. students also happy with this activity because they can create something by themselves according to their own imagination. it can help them to be creative.

after the play-dough activity done, students presents it as usual. they loved the whole idea about creating their own fruits.

Teaching Day 1

Teaching at Demonstration School Udon Thani Rajabhat University

Anuban Sam, Age 5-6 years old.

first time teaching by myself was..challenging 

I went to school around 7.30 in the morning. As I arrived at school I went straight to classroom to prepare everything I need for Learning Activity I planned on my lesson plan. The theme for this week is Fruits. I decided to use "real" fruits as a media and other media such as pop up book, and flash card. 

We started a lesson at 9.30. Students were excited to begin the class. They sat down neatly as I explained them some of the material. I taught them about various of Fruits in English, of course.  

We actually sang together before we start the learning activity. the song we sang was about fruit, Fruits Song, the tittle. and after we finished dancing and singing, I tried myself to explain the rules of the activity we are about to do. although they seemed not really understand, but I did explained them using my gesture most of the time, so I assumed they understood.

As I finished explaining the theme, according to my lesson plan, I asked the students to join me to play "spellathon game". The game was about collecting a letter to make some words by running towards the basket full of letters after the "caller" tell a word. so I decided to become a caller since the students could not really play by themselves because they can't spell the word correctly enough.

I was so proud of my students, they played the game so well and we were having so much fun. They learned how to spell "banana, apple, strawberry" very well.

when the game came to an end, the students cleaned the classroom and sat down neatly. they were ready to listen to my explanation about the theme. Actually, the situation quite "chaotic" when we play the game. so some students who not really active couldn't participate a lot on the game because, they were confused and refused to play together. to handle that, I accompanied them to play together.

we end our learning activity with painting. students drew and wrote the fruits and it names on a paper and showed it or presented it in front of the class.

finally, my-first time teaching by myself-day finished. Mission accomplished. I hope tomorrow will be better. but for now, I'm so thankful because I didn't messed it up. Lol

Weekend with Friends

Quality Time with UDRU Gal

Saturday night, January 28th 2017

..saturday night typically spent by dating. Not in my case.

this morning was spent as usual Saturday morning, I woke up pretty late, did Laundry, and got late breakfast or we called it brunch. There was no special planning for Saturday. Me and my friends are often went out in other day anyway, so we didn't prepare anything for today.

but, as long as we remember, we were bored at our dorm. we couldn't find something interesting and start to thinking about going out in the afternoon. finally we decided to go by ourselves because our buddies are busy on their own. so we went our for shopping at Central Plaza. Only Me, Resti, Cubil (Annisa) and our-little darling- Isyfan who went out to Central Plaza, the rest are with their own friends.

we went to Central Plaza of Udon Thani probably at 6.30 p.m, the most exciting part was when we have to explain the route to the driver of Skylab and asked him for a cheaper price. we bargained with him as if we were really look like an alien. Lol. eventually, we meet the conclusion. 10 Baht each to go to Central Plaza.

we arrived there in 10 minutes, then we did eyes-shopping around the mall. and we were also look out the cinema. we saw the ticket machine which was amazing bacause they had good quality ticket machine with touchscreen. and we can order the ticket by ourselves. unfortunately, the price little bit expensive and the saddest part was, every movie on the list were in Thai Language, even the Holliwood movie. How on earth can we understand that. so we casually walked off the cinema and start looked for foods.

after long journey in the mall looking for halal foods, we finally found Steak House which had chicken steak. then we came in and asked about whether we can consume it or not. I mean, as a moslem.

surprisingly, the waitress and the owner said that the food or especially the chicken is free from any kind of pork ingredients so we could eat it.

as expected, chicken steak we ate is the best food we ever ate in the entire time. the chicken was cooked perfectly, the salad was so fresh and the french fries were good. but there were some funny story while we eat. It was already 9 p.m and we didn't know that the mall will be closed at 9. so, when we eat, the waitress already packed everything inside the kitchen, they were cleaning the entire place, and we were the last people who still at the steak house. steak house cafe's name was Santa Fe. everyone outside the cafe was closing their store and the light was turned off. we were completely locked inside. Lol. but fortunately there were security inside so we manage to went out the mall and rushed back to dorm.

that night was incredibly exciting because that was the night I experienced sort of new things. I will never forget how clumsy we were back then. Lol.

such a precious moment.

Sunday night, January 29th 2017

..Chinese New Year Celebration never been this crowded.

This Sunday was the second and last day of Chinese New Year Celebration in Udon Thani. so we decided to go to Chinese Town. Me, Resti and Sofia were the only UDRU gals who went this night. we took Skylab for 10 Baht. and unluckily, when we gather the money to pay, the 20 baht was flew by the wind. we lost it. Lol.

Then we arrived safely at Chinese Town, there were some Monks who stood up in front of the gate and gave us free Oranges. I don't know the reason, tho'.

As expected, there were a lot of people. Chinese and not, gathered up in the center of the place. we couldn't pass the crowd easily because that was so crowded. we can't even find a chair to sit down because it was full.

after such a long walked, we finally found a chair and sat down there for a while. since we already bought a food while we walked, we could eat directly and go back home after finished it.

yes, this night was just like the ordinary Chinese New Year Celebration. We couldn't enjoy the celebration. but we still feel good since we spent this night together.

Assists Day 3

Assisting at Demonstration School Udon Thani Rajabhat University

at Anuban 3, Age 5-6 years old

Assisting Kun Kruu Noina

Today was English Day. Thank God! 

Right in the morning, Kruu Noina checked each of student's nails.  as usual. I was helping her check the student's nails. it was remind me of my past. I was like that long time ago.

 Students were really in a good mood today, because the activity were different. they can play as much as they want. they can run, jump, even crawl because they asked to play a role as butterfly. Kruu Noina sang the song and the students follow the order that been stated on the song while playing as a butterfly. they acted to be butterfly which can fly. they jumped, they even crawled. Lol.

 most happiest thing in the entire day was I got a chance to speak English with an ease. Today was English day, which made me a lot more easy to talk to someone since there was another teacher who can speaks English so well. I finally can communicate easily. the English teacher's name was Ms. Palmy. She was so pretty and kind. she taught me a lot of things. She also taught the teacher how to speaks english so well.
I can't thankful enough for this opportunity.

 after English class, we move outside the class and play at the yard. students were asked to do psychomotoric activity. they were asked to jump, crawl, and hang onto something. we ended the outside activity by taking a group photo.

 I'm so thankful today, yesterday, and tomorrow. 

 

Assists Day 5

Assisting at Demonstration School Udon Thani Rajabhat University

at Anuban 3, Age 5-6 years old

Assisting Kun Kruu Noina

Friday, Fri-YEAY!

Early in the morning, I picked the sports wear for today's schedule. and I decided to wear the uniform that Achaan Mew gave me. the uniform was very fit for today's schedule, so I wore it. 

 Kruu Noina, Kruu Pew and me guided the students to the field to exercise, and do some sports. we played throw and catch with the tennis ball, and we played another game. I don't know the name, but it was about slapping the sack of rice. that was pretty hurt when my hand slap that thing so hard. the students did the same. and I was happy since all kids laugh when they saw me got hurt. Lol.

after finished the exercise time, we moved the class to the computer laboratory, they will practice the computer skill with the Computer teacher. I was there accompany the student while they using the computer. 

 computer class ended for 50 minutes. the students go back to the class and prepared to have a lunch, and then nap, and then test, and go back home.

 

Assists Day 4

Assisting at Demonstration School Udon Thani Rajabhat University

at Anuban 3, Age 5-6 years old

Assisting Kun Kruu Noina

  this thursday the sky was so beautiful. maybe because I went to school too early.

Today, some of the university students came to school to observe. they said that they're first year students. it means, I'm older than them. I was so happy to work alongside fellow students, it gave me different vibe. I used to be the youngest member of teacher at school so I felt lonely and confused. Today I'm in the good mood.

I just got to know that the students had an appointment with the dentist at school regularly. I didn't ask precisely, but I think it was every six month. So, today was the day for the dentist appointment. all students were checked one by one. and before the dentist came, students were prepared to brush their teeth and stay in a line for a check up.

 

After each of students finished their teeth checked up, students get back to their tasks. the tasks that been given before the check up was - as usual - drawing and writing. 

There was different activity. after all students finished their tasks, all students were asked to go outside the class and do psychomotoric activity. they walk according to the order. Students stay in a line and started to walk based on the order on that been drawn on the ground. some orders were step on two feet, or one foot or turn around the body and sometimes jump. I was there and tried to do the same thing with students as an example. I was so silly because, I fell down when I show the students. Lol.

Today, everything seems little bit exciting than the other day. I hope tomorrow will be more exciting.

Assists Day 2

Assisting at Demonstration School Udon Thani Rajabhat University

at Anuban 3, Age 5-6 years old

Assisting Kun Kruu Noina

today, I didn't help so much. I guess.

Actually, this week the theme of the learning activity was about Bugs. Kruu Noina explained everything about it and sometimes when she asked me the variety of bugs in English language, I helped her, or I translate it. 

These picture were actually taken when I didn't involved so much in learning activity, the actual activities were a lots. today's main activity drawing various of Bugs. So, the students were asked to draw Bugs and write it names both in Thai Language and English Language.

as usual, after the main activity in the morning, students would have a lunch, and then took a nap, and when they woke up, they took the test for final exam preparation.

and as usual, I went back to dorm late. because the parents keep coming late.

Assists Day 1

Assisting at Demonstration School Udon Thani Rajabhat University

at Anuban 3, Age 5-6 years old

Assisting Kun Kruu Noina

I came late to school since I had to accompany my friend- Arnita- at Hospital. So I didn't attend the flag ceremony and morning activity.

I came to school at 2 p.m. when all students still on a nap. I felt bad because on my first assisting Day I wasn't at school right at the time. Fortunately, Kru Noina as my mentor was so supportive towards me. She understood my situation so she did not really mind when I came late.
On my first Assisting Day, first thing I did was helping Kruu Noina to prepare the students to take a test. the test is about writing alphabet and Arabic number. They should learn about it to pass the final exam as the condition to pass to Elementary school.

the test quite hard for students, sometime I helped them when they asked about the question, even though I couldn't really help since I didn't really get what Kruu Noina said, but when I tried to help, Kruu Noina told me not to. So I just sat there doing nothing after Kruu Noina told me not to help student. Lol.

Finally the students finished all the test at 4 p.m and prepared to get home. they waited for their parents to pick them up at school. while waiting, some of students ate snacks that been prepared by teachers or just play outside the class. 

and when all students picked up by their parents, teachers are allowed to go home. as far as I remember, I waited for hour, so I went back to dorm probably at 5 p.m. 

Such a Day!

 

City Tour part 1

City Tour Part 1

Travel around Mak Khaeng and Nongprajak Park

... suddenly, I fell for Udon Thani.

today I spent my first weekend with all of my Indonesian fellow students, buddies and some professors travel around Udon Thani. We went travel by city tour bus. it was different from common bus, the Bus didn't have windows or door, and the size was smaller than common bus. it was very unique.

first place we went by was Temple. I forgot it names, but the location of the temple was in Mak Khaeng, Udon Thani. Mak Khaeng was like the central city of Udon Thani. So, we went to some other place around Mak Khaeng at the same time. We saw ancient buildings, the governmental building, schools around Mak Khaeng, the markets, hospital, even the Mall. the building's architecture was quite the same in Indonesia, but few of the special buildings such as Governmental building and school was traditional thailand touchy. the schools mostly build from wood and the governmental place mixed with modern architecture and thai traditional building, and there always a huge posters with the Picture of their late 9th King in every corner of the place. It shows how much their sadness after they lost their precious King in october last year, they are still in the mourning year. 

Then, we went to Nongprajak Park. there were huge lake in the centre of the park. we took picture like one thousand times. Lol. the view was beautiful yet peaceful. Compared in Indonesia, the park is alwas filled by tons of people so we couldn't enjoy the view peacefullu, but in Nongprajak park, we could enjoy every single spot because there were not so many people. We could enjoy the view of the lake, and even saw some of the birds that flying around the park, the vibe was quite same with Europe.

The city tour ended in the middle of the day. we went back to our dorm to take a rest.

but...

the story did not end like that.

My buddies took me to walking street and cycling around Nongprajak Park. they said that Nongprajak park's sun set was beautiful. so I decided to join my buddies. we went to Nongprajak Park at 5 p.m. we went there by our buddies motorcycle. after we arrived in Nongprajak park, we rent a bicycle and tricycle. as promised, we finally saw the beautiful view of Nongprajak Park sun set. it was magnificent and made me speechless.

when the night came, we ended our cycling time, and rushed to go to Walking Street and looked for dinner.  we also bought some souvenirs for our family and friends in Indonesia. the prices were cheaper than some of Indonesia souvenirs. so we were lucky.