Thailand Pen Pal Letter about Seasons
To answer some of their questions:
There are three seasons in Thailand. It is currently, winter. The temperature in my region is around fifty degrees Fahrenheit in the mornings and mid eighties in the afternoons. As a someone who grew up on the East coast and Midwest, I too find it very cold. In northern Thailand, it is around forty degrees. The next season is summer which will be quite a contrast as most days are well over one hundred degrees. The third season is rainy. It literally rains/ pours for hours at a time, if not days continually.
The students here wear uniforms from preschool through university. Each of my schools has a playground and a computer lab. The students have lunch and recess from noon to one each day. Each morning the students complete their assigned chores around the school. For instance, sweeping, picking up trash, and general cleaning. The students then line up based on their grade, age, gender. They sing the Thai national anthem at 0800 each morning followed by Buddhist prayers and mediation.
The Thai national anthem is also broadcasted at 1800 each evening.
The kids here have toys, books, and ice cream. However, ice cream here is made with coconut milk.
Rice is eaten with every meal. Thais eat with a fork and a spoon. We use the fork to place the food on the spoon then it is consumed. On occasion "American" food is available. However, it usually involves adding sea food and lots of spice to the dish. Thais love spicy food, its a measure of strength for many.
Elephants in the wild are rare to see in the Northeast. My students have only seen them on field trips to the zoo. Most elephants are in sanctuaries in the North.
Soccer is loved by many here. However, it is called footbon/ football. They love the Champions League. As someone who played soccer through university, I look forward to the World Cup in a few months.
Thailand is a country that places great value on age and being a man. It has a Pii Nong system, where those older than you one calls them Pii and younger Nong. Typically, soccer is a male sport and volleyball is played by females. Also, status in the community plays an important role in social dynamics. The traditional Thai greeting is the wai. Those of lower status, even if they are older, wai the person of higher status first. Generally, younger individuals wai older individuals first.
The schools in my community range from 31 to 143 K-6 grade. Each student completes preschool at the elementary school for two years. Most students ride a bike to school or walk. Those whom attend in neighboring cities are picked up by van, which its typical to see forty plus students in a fifteen passenger van, as they also ride on top. Also, kids drive a motorcycle starting around fourth grade. A common sight is seeing four or five passengers on a motorcycle.
Vehicles are driven on the left side of the road. The driver is seated on the right (passenger side in the States).
Thais are referred to by their nickname. I have been in country more than a year and only know a handful of real names. Their nicknames are typically animals, colors, or objects that their parents think they look like or immolate as a baby. The majority of my students reside with their grandparents, primarily grandmother, as their parent(s) work in larger cities like Bangkok and then send money back to help.
I hope this helps answer some of their questions. I love their inquisitive nature. I tried to view your class web page but was unable to. Sometimes, international viewing is restricted.
Take care,
-Janet
There are three seasons in Thailand. It is currently, winter. The temperature in my region is around fifty degrees Fahrenheit in the mornings and mid eighties in the afternoons. As a someone who grew up on the East coast and Midwest, I too find it very cold. In northern Thailand, it is around forty degrees. The next season is summer which will be quite a contrast as most days are well over one hundred degrees. The third season is rainy. It literally rains/ pours for hours at a time, if not days continually.
The students here wear uniforms from preschool through university. Each of my schools has a playground and a computer lab. The students have lunch and recess from noon to one each day. Each morning the students complete their assigned chores around the school. For instance, sweeping, picking up trash, and general cleaning. The students then line up based on their grade, age, gender. They sing the Thai national anthem at 0800 each morning followed by Buddhist prayers and mediation.
The Thai national anthem is also broadcasted at 1800 each evening.
The kids here have toys, books, and ice cream. However, ice cream here is made with coconut milk.
Rice is eaten with every meal. Thais eat with a fork and a spoon. We use the fork to place the food on the spoon then it is consumed. On occasion "American" food is available. However, it usually involves adding sea food and lots of spice to the dish. Thais love spicy food, its a measure of strength for many.
Elephants in the wild are rare to see in the Northeast. My students have only seen them on field trips to the zoo. Most elephants are in sanctuaries in the North.
Soccer is loved by many here. However, it is called footbon/ football. They love the Champions League. As someone who played soccer through university, I look forward to the World Cup in a few months.
Thailand is a country that places great value on age and being a man. It has a Pii Nong system, where those older than you one calls them Pii and younger Nong. Typically, soccer is a male sport and volleyball is played by females. Also, status in the community plays an important role in social dynamics. The traditional Thai greeting is the wai. Those of lower status, even if they are older, wai the person of higher status first. Generally, younger individuals wai older individuals first.
The schools in my community range from 31 to 143 K-6 grade. Each student completes preschool at the elementary school for two years. Most students ride a bike to school or walk. Those whom attend in neighboring cities are picked up by van, which its typical to see forty plus students in a fifteen passenger van, as they also ride on top. Also, kids drive a motorcycle starting around fourth grade. A common sight is seeing four or five passengers on a motorcycle.
Vehicles are driven on the left side of the road. The driver is seated on the right (passenger side in the States).
Thais are referred to by their nickname. I have been in country more than a year and only know a handful of real names. Their nicknames are typically animals, colors, or objects that their parents think they look like or immolate as a baby. The majority of my students reside with their grandparents, primarily grandmother, as their parent(s) work in larger cities like Bangkok and then send money back to help.
I hope this helps answer some of their questions. I love their inquisitive nature. I tried to view your class web page but was unable to. Sometimes, international viewing is restricted.
Take care,
-Janet