Checking out Alex's class - Christmas Day

Daddy and Mummy debated over how the "present opening" would work. After much discussion, they decided that it would wait until after school - after all, to catch the bus Alex and Daddy need to leave the house by 7.30am and there is a tightly managed routine to allow that to happen.

This was a special morning, not only because it was Christmas Day but also because the whole family was biking to school so that they could watch what the class did in the morning.

First there was "morning exercise" which basically is for those students who arrive before classes finally start. This includes all of those who catch the campus school bus. It is held on one of the roof-top spaces (synthetic grass carpet) and there is music playing over the loudspeakers. Organized activities ensue - including using these "shakers" to dance to a particular song. All the children are exceptionally well behaved. Sebastien was very interested in the games that were stationed around the area - especially the ones with balls.Then is was back to the classroom, washing hands and drinking some water. The room is very much set up like last year's - the lace "doily" over the television is very "Chinese". They seem to have lacy covers for fans, air conditioners, washing machines...for when they aren't in use.
The first class was about Christmas trees. Alex is one of around forty students in her class and discipline is tight. Today's activity was making your own Christmas tree. After all sitting together in the middle of the room, they took their chairs back to their tables and started to work. Tables are grouped with about 8 children at each and the three teachers make their way around the room. Sebastien was keen to try out some colouring himself - everyone was very good natured about having Sebastien there, hardly any of them have siblings.We noticed that they seemed to have done some more Christmas-themed artwork before today that was handing on the walls. A little concentration for the concertina folding,and voila! Your very own Christmas tree!
Next it was "small groups" time. There are outlines of small shoes at various places in the classroom with the idea being that you remove your shoes to step onto the playmat and if there is not outline left to leave your shoes on then you are out of luck. Sebastien enjoyed watching the big kids play with blocks and didn't care that Alex was nowhere to be seen. To their credit, the kids tolerated Sebastien's inquisitiveness very well.
Then it was time to go back outside and do more activity. Sebastien wanted to join in - so he did. Back to the classroom for lunch and the teachers wanted Sebastien to eat too - he had a go but it wasn't what he is used to.
Then it was time for us to leave as the class was readying itself for nap time.

These are winter-time quilts and pillows - in summer-time it is rattan mats with bamboo pillows. They are in the "sleeping room" which is basically ten on the top and ten on the bottom along two walls of the room - the stairs to the "top level" are on the right of the photo. Unfortunately Australia called us during this visit and though we really wanted to chat, it wasn't a great time. We decided to link up later that night. After a "da bao" (take away) Pizza Hut dinner, we opened some presents in the "company" of Australian family - thanks to Skype and Messenger. It was fun to watch!