So things seem to be
getting a bit easier. I was introduced to yet another uniform today--some
boys were wearing a military type outfit, complete with combat boots. For
some reason they get to wear those in school, not really sure why. I was
hoping to upload all of the pictures today, but they are on my phone and the
connector is at home (I am at school now).
I was called in at the last minute again yesterday to give a test to the 10th grade ecology students. However, it was a much smoother experience this time. I told them I wanted no talking, no sharing papers, and no cheating in general. I also mentioned that the other class hadn't listened to me, and that I had written down their names and reported them--a collective gasp at this. Anyway, they were very diligent and moved their desks to different parts of the room without being asked. There was no talking, no cheating, and I really didn't have to do anything. They even turned in the exams early! When I went to grade the tests, I was pleasantly surprised to find VERY high scores--many perfect grades and the lowest one was only 32/36. Note: in 4.3 the highest grade was 33/36--the lowest was 21. So either this class is much smarter than the other one (possible), or the first class gave a dire warning to their buddies (more likely). Either way, the scores (and the answers in general) were so much better. There really weren’t any nonsensical responses—they at least seemed to comprehend the material.
Chemistry was another story. I finally met with my M2 classes, and I had been told by Kru Aoff that I would be teaching the English vocabulary. So that is what I prepared for. The topics were distillation, crystallization, filtration, and chromatography—not the easiest. Well, as it turns out, pee Aoff wanted me to teach the lecture in English, and he would explain confusing parts in Thai. Doesn’t quite sound like explaining the vocab, does it? Ahh well, keep calm and pretend this is on the lesson plan, right? So I did my best, tried to be clear, and went for it. Turns out they really didn’t understand and were too shy to say anything, but I will be more prepared next time and hopefully we can improve on the situation. It was just a pretty hectic few hours to say the least.
I did make some advances in the living department yesterday—I officially opened a Thai bank account! This means I have now opened accounts on 3 different continents…kinda cool. I also went to the bus station and got my tickets for Chiang Mai. We have a 3 day weekend, so I head out tonight and get to have a nice mini-vacation now! I am pretty excited for Chiang Mai—lots to see, plus I need to get some much needed shopping done. I might even get to see Star Trek (no movie theater in Nan).
Anyway, things are going well here. It seems that rainy season is about to begin—it has been cloudy for the last few days, and sprinkling a bit. We just had some pop up rain too. I know it will get tiring, but it will be nice to have some cooling off too. I will be out of contact while in Chiang Mai, but expect tons of pictures when I return. Until then!
I was called in at the last minute again yesterday to give a test to the 10th grade ecology students. However, it was a much smoother experience this time. I told them I wanted no talking, no sharing papers, and no cheating in general. I also mentioned that the other class hadn't listened to me, and that I had written down their names and reported them--a collective gasp at this. Anyway, they were very diligent and moved their desks to different parts of the room without being asked. There was no talking, no cheating, and I really didn't have to do anything. They even turned in the exams early! When I went to grade the tests, I was pleasantly surprised to find VERY high scores--many perfect grades and the lowest one was only 32/36. Note: in 4.3 the highest grade was 33/36--the lowest was 21. So either this class is much smarter than the other one (possible), or the first class gave a dire warning to their buddies (more likely). Either way, the scores (and the answers in general) were so much better. There really weren’t any nonsensical responses—they at least seemed to comprehend the material.
Chemistry was another story. I finally met with my M2 classes, and I had been told by Kru Aoff that I would be teaching the English vocabulary. So that is what I prepared for. The topics were distillation, crystallization, filtration, and chromatography—not the easiest. Well, as it turns out, pee Aoff wanted me to teach the lecture in English, and he would explain confusing parts in Thai. Doesn’t quite sound like explaining the vocab, does it? Ahh well, keep calm and pretend this is on the lesson plan, right? So I did my best, tried to be clear, and went for it. Turns out they really didn’t understand and were too shy to say anything, but I will be more prepared next time and hopefully we can improve on the situation. It was just a pretty hectic few hours to say the least.
I did make some advances in the living department yesterday—I officially opened a Thai bank account! This means I have now opened accounts on 3 different continents…kinda cool. I also went to the bus station and got my tickets for Chiang Mai. We have a 3 day weekend, so I head out tonight and get to have a nice mini-vacation now! I am pretty excited for Chiang Mai—lots to see, plus I need to get some much needed shopping done. I might even get to see Star Trek (no movie theater in Nan).
Anyway, things are going well here. It seems that rainy season is about to begin—it has been cloudy for the last few days, and sprinkling a bit. We just had some pop up rain too. I know it will get tiring, but it will be nice to have some cooling off too. I will be out of contact while in Chiang Mai, but expect tons of pictures when I return. Until then!
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