International Day

How does one share the best of Canada with children ages 3-11 in 30 minutes? It's impossible really. I don't believe one can truly experience all that Canada has to offer without a roadtrip through the rockies, or a drive through the Prairies, or a day in the bustling cities of Toronto or Montreal, or through an adventure in the Maritimes. Canada has so much to offer. How does one choose a single part of it to teach a group of children from a variety of backgrounds about? The answer: nearly impossible.

My answer, considering the time constraints, the ages being dealt with, and my lack of desire to delve too far into something I wouldn't be able to get out of, was simple. With my younger children, ages 7 and under, we learned how to say Bonjour (language: Canadian) and we made hats (thanks Dawn) with the maple leaf as the outstanding feature. Most kids calld it the Canada leaf. That was good enough for me. I wore red and white.... and the classroom was decorated in red and white. This is a picture of the Reception Class (age 4-5) with a mixture of Thai, Norwegian, Indian, Chinese, Malaysian, Laotian, and Sri Lankan. Clearly we are not in our normal school uniforms on this day, as children were allowed to dress in costumes from their individual cultures if they so desired.

With Key Stage Two, years 3 through 6, we played some rousing games of ball hockey. Minor injuries occured, but there was no "Bertuzzi" incident... and any injury seemed to be settled with an offer of an ice pack and the promise of a yummy maple candy at the end. (thanks Marg). Really, I had nothing to do with the injuries. I played full on - but was sure to stay clear of injuring any childrenn in the process. They took care of that aspect of the game themselves. This class is a mix of Thai, Japanese, Korean, Swiss, Austrailian and Philipino... many of whom were in traditional dress. It was quite the thing to play hockey, especially with the girls, but they enjoyed it.

Anyway, it was all in good fun. We sang (well, I sang) the national anthem to begin the hockey game and we were off. And I left a messy classroom which is always a sign of good fun. And I had children asking me for more maple candies today. (again - thanks Marg).

The children had a wonderful day of visiting, Australian, the Netherlands, New Zealand, England, Japan, France, Canada, and Thailand.... with passports to go with it. The

Canadian passport stamp was the beaver. How appropriate!

What a strange country!!

Well, I have been living in this country for coming up to 9 months. It never ceases to amaze me what strange things can happen.

The other day... a newspaper article stating that it is now illegal to use a cellphone while driving. (this in a country that doesn't where helmets on motorcycles or seatbelts in cars). Hands free is okay, but no holding a cellphone to your ear. If you are caught doing this... you will be fined 400 Baht. No big deal. But then the article goes on to say that if you attempt to bribe the police, indicating that bribing the police occurs frequently, you will be fined 400 Baht. But when you talk to people who have actually been pulled over, they say you have to bribe the police. It always works in your favour. Maybe I should try that upon my return to Canada. Well...

There are moments when I wish I had a camera. There are hilarious signs in this country. Some that make no sense. Some that specifically say: "Foreigners, use other door" But we came across a funny sticker-sign in a taxi the other day. A picture of a man sitting down. Coming out of his rear-end was a "puff" of smoke and then "rays" coming out of that puff of smoke. We came up with only one conclusion as to what this sign could mean. No farting in the taxi. It brought us great amusement for the ride home from work.

I have been doing double duty this week at work. Teaching ESL but also teaching Year One. It has actually been quite the pleasure having a whole class to teach all day. It has been stressful, mind you considering that I have been doing two jobs, but enjoyable nonetheless.

A great decision lies before me: I think I need a sign telling me what to do. What do I do next? I am coming to the end of my contract, but the head teacher (principal) really wants me to stay and has offered me a new position, better position, better pay. I could also return to Canada. Toronto? Vancouver? maybe even London?

It is amazing seeing the world and amazing living in new societies.

Anyone with any advice - please reply.