Going With The Flow!

   It's definately a good idea to go with the flow in Thailand, maybe more here than anywhere else I've been.  Today reconfirmed that idea.  It happened at school.
   Doing the Total Physical Response teaching works best if there is physical space.  Therefore, I've been taking my classes down to the dinning/assembly hall.  One of my learning's is that it sometimes helpful to work in smaller groups even than my small classes.  The problem with that is the students who are not directly involved often create  commotion with each other.  But I solved the problem!  If I have them lie on the floor they behave better.  Put that in your elementary education handbook.  :)
  But, back to going with the flow.  During the daily opening ceremonies at school this morning I saw the teacher of the 3yrd olds go talk to the 3r graders and their teacher.  I wondered about it but didn't give it a lot of thought, that is, until I couldn't hold the attention of the 5th graders.  They were all looking out on the front lawn where the 3rd and 4th graders were holding 50 meter races under the supervision of the teacher of the the 3yrd olds.  My hour with the 5th graders was about up so I took them back to their room.
  Scheduled to teach the 6th grade I knew that it would be lost cause with the competition for attention with the races.  What to do?  I thought about asking the 6th grade teacher if I should take the students outside.
But, the language issue would be very complicated and I've  had the distinct impression from her that she doesn't care a whole lot what I do as long as she has the hour free.  I thought, this is Thailand, the logical thing to do is join the fun.  So I took the class outside and in minutes they were involved in the races.  No one seemed to give a second thought to the 6th graders joining the fun.
  Students always wear uniforms but not the same ones every day.  On some days the girls uniforms are slacks and tops but today's uniform was skirts.  No problem.  The girls who were wearing shorts under their skirts just took their skirts off.  The other girls just gather up their skirts and ran.
  A big deal in Thailand is having what they call "sanook".  We'd probably translate it fun.  It was fun and the last half hour of class after the races ended was the most productive time yet.


5th grade class lying down.




4th and 5th graders.




The Curmudgeon and students.




At the starting line.