Now it's over.

The practical training is done now. It's been a great time at South Range Elementary School! The teachers and stuff there are super friendly and nice, so are the kids! That school feels like home. During the last week and a half we learned about Finnish oddities and children's families. We learned about Finnish celebrations like Midsummer night, May first, Kekri and other non-religious celebrations. We built family trees and during the last days we watched a lot of Moomins. That was great!

There are pupils' family trees.

Kids filling up what Tatu and Patu discover from
Finnish sauna.

Kids made posters from Finnish celebrations.

We became famous.

Last weekend I got to see a lot of cool places around here! First on Friday one of the teachers, Priscilla, took me to Hungarian Falls with her husband. It was super amazing hiking path with many small falls on it. It was beautiful and really nice. Got a chance to see a grass snake. :)

Hungarian Falls.

On Saturday I wen't to explore the cost with Hilary's family. It was super great too! Got rid of my winter fur too. Went for a swim on Lake Superior. It was really nice! :) We also went on top of a Brockway Mountain and the view from there was super amazing! Really!

Great Sand Bay.

And on Sunday one other teacher, Joann (and Nikki and Charley too) took me to Calumet for a historical tour. We started it with the most fanciest brunch I've had in my life. There were two forks and everything! And I'm such a country girl that I didn't really know how to behave but I tried my best. And didn't do anything too inappropriate. I hope… Anyway the brunch was delicious and so was the tour! Lots of old houses that used to belong to big bosses of the mind industry. We also visited a museum which had a lots of stories to tell. The most awful was about Italian Hall. You guys should read about it. It's crazy.

Big bosses had their own pool rooms.

Well. During this last half a week in South Range we've cooked and watched Moomins. We tried to make every Finnish kid's favorite dish: makaroonilaatikko (macaroni casserole). And it actually tasted a lot like the original one.

Only four out of 35 didn't like it.

For dessert we made blueberry pie with my mother's recipe. 

Was almost as good as in Finland. Not far!

Here's some fourth graders eating salmiakki (salty liqourice) for the first time.

Today was my last day at school and tomorrow I'll be traveling to Chicago for a week and then next Thursday back to Finland. It's been such an amazing two months here and I really suggest everyone to take this chance and come to do their practical training at South Range Elementary School. Second graders are really looking forward for next year. :) I got an ice cream party for my last day. I've never participated an ice cream party before and that was great!! :D 

Found some Finnish chocolate from Finlandia
University's bookstore for the teachers to taste.

Best ice cream party ever!

Anyway. That was my two months at South Range and Eetu's one month and it was fun! Hope to read some great experiences form this blog in the future. :)

*kisses*

-Kaisuli

About everything. And sorry for delay again!

Well. It's been a while since we wrote here. Sorry for that!

It's been such a great time here! As we already told, we've been exploring the Finnish forest. Before that we talked about the Moomins and after that we've been talking about a lot of stuff. So let's start from the week after the forest week. 

We made small performances which were advertisements about Finnish forest. That was the end of the forest season. On Tuesday May 3rd we talked about Santa Claus and Christmas. That was the same day when the local news came to shoot us. We picked up a Christmas tree from the forest together and talked about Christmas traditions with kids. We decorated the tree and sang some Christmas songs. But then happened the most amazing thing! Santa Claus called us and told that he was going to Texas for a World Peace Conference. And since he knew we'd be here he asked whether one of us could come and feed the reindeers while he would stop by in our classroom. So Eetu went to take care of the reindeers and Kalle (Charles, the other teacher of third graders at South Range) went to pick up Santa. While we waited, the kids had a chance to write letters to Santa for him to take with him on the way. The day was super exciting! And finally Kalle came back and he really had Santa with him!!! Kids were scared, excited, afraid, happy and everything in between. They had a chance to ask questions from Santa Claus and we took group pictures with him too.

The whole class with the Santa

After Santa stopped by we wrote him a thank you letter the next day so the students got to take his address to themselves incase they want to write him also another time. We also learned some Christmas words in Finnish and watched a movie that almost every kid in Finland watch every year: Santa Claus and the Magical Drum. 

Oh, and just a comment in between. We have been reading The Comet in Moominland for kids almost every day. It's usually how we have ended each day.

Well, after finishing with Christmas we started to talk about Finnish origins, Sami people. We built a Sami village to the hallway but it's still a part of our forest. We talked about their habits, their reindeers, their hand craft culture, their clothes…etc. 

The flags makes Northern Lights above the fell. 

Reindeer keeper family.

After this Sami day we found out there was a family emergency in Eetu's family. That's why he had to leave back to Finland. He was lucky to get the tickets so quickly! And he got home safely and I continue this teaching practice alone for last weeks. 

So we continued with kids about the shaman drum. Luckily the Finnish American Heritage Center has one that we were allowed to borrow. So I took a drum with me to school and we made some observations about it. I also told a story of my ancestor who turned in to a wolf when he was alive. And from that story my little sister has made a pictures for a shaman drum. And the kids have been writing fairy tales for the last four weeks so they all already had a story to think about and they got a chance to draw their stories on drums. Sure they were only papers, but they got to practice the symbols.

This drum was actually made here in Hancock.

With their drums everyone got a chance to sing a Sami song as well. :)

Then we started to investigate the Kalevala. I told them the story, a very very short version, and from this story each kid got a picture of a one part of the story and behind each picture there were a poem from that part of the story. So in the groups kids got a chance to remember what happened in that part of the story and they had to read the poems and try to understand what they meant. Afterwards we put the story in order without talking. It was almost right. :D

There you can see the Kalevala with pictures. From front to back.

In the end of that class we made a Sampo. Kids were the parts and it produced a magic that makes one not to be allergic to cats.

The next day we got a chance to see a kantele and also play them. They have those instruments at the Heritage Center like 20! I only wish Eetu would've still been here 'cause he would've known how to play one. And how to teach kids to play one too. But we had fun with those kanteles anyway. :) We also learned about Finnish people through stereotypes. Of course we also learned that stereotypes are not true! One should always learn to know the person and not judge them from where they're from. In the end of that day we had a small kantele concert at the classroom. :)

Well in the end of the week we started to explore about each student's family and their families' backgrounds. On Thursday they all got a homework to write on a map where their ancestors are from. Then we red some more Tatu and Patu and made comics from different families in the book. We finished the story about Comet in Moominland and I handed out the same book for the class. We bought it with Eetu to give to them as a present. So that they can read it later too if they want to. For the weekend everyone got a new homework which was to find out their grandparents parents and every member of their families if they will. That's because on Monday we'll build family trees to everyone. ;)

So here it is. The second last week at South Range Eelementary School. It's actually the last whole week 'cause next week's Thursday I'll fly away to Chicago for a week before heading back to Finland.

Oh! And as a tip to everyone! Each Sunday there is poka dance evening at South Range in Eagel's Lodge. There's a lot of cool people dancing poka (in Finnis: humppa). It's every Sunday from 5pm to 8 pm. The entering fee is 7 dollars so really not much! There's also dinner for about six dollars and you can eat as much as you want. Everyone who will ever come here should go there to dance! I'll not go this week but definitely next week I'll go again! :)

This is from Mother's day dance night. There were special decorations for every mother. :)

Well, that's all for now. Everybody enjoy your May!! :)

puss och kram

-Kaisuli

Finnish forest

We've been doing exploring the Finnish forest a lot with the kids! The whole last week was about different animals and insects. Every day pupils got a different animal group from which they could make more animals to the forest they've built. In the end of this week we went out to the forest next to the school to explore more. We had such a great time there! Unfortunately we weren't allowed to build a real camp fire so we had to imagine it again. In the forest kids got to do some research in small groups where they could experience the forest by its smells and sounds for example. 

Here are some pictures of the forest. How it has developed from the tree day.

Next week we'll start exploring Tatu and Patu book a little more. And from there Finnish history and all other interesting stuff. ;)

That's all for now!

-Kaisuli

Sorry for delay!

We, Kaisuli and Eetu, have been teaching Finnish culture for third graders at South Range Elementary School for two weeks now (we've been here for three weeks already but the first week at school we only observed and gave Finnish names to kids). So we're super sorry for starting this blog just now.

We are two teacher students from Lapland University. It's the first time for both of us to visit US. We've got lots of new experiences so far and we're about to get more every day. So far people here at UP have been super friendly and helpful! We've found it very interesting how many people here have Finnish roots and we're longing to hear their history more specifically. 

The practical training so far has been wonderful! The kids are super excited about Finland and we're too about teaching them. During first week we focused on the language. We learned couple of songs and phrases, numbers, days, months… Kids are so fast to learn! This week we focused on the Moomins during the first three days and the rest of the week we started to learn more about Finnish forest. 

We built this forest from pupils' threes they drew. On Friday we got to know some Finnish birds and filled the forest with them. Next week we'll continue with the same topic and fill the forest with the animals that belong there. Every day we also read the Comet in Mooinland on a campfire we imagine there in the forest. Eetu plays guitar and Kaisuli reads the book. We've found it as a good way to end the days. 

But now we're spending a weekend here and will explore Hancock and the UP a little more. We shall update this blog from now on a little more. :)

kisses

- Kaisuli and Eetu

Time goes so fast (too fast)!

It's been a month since I last wrote. I'm sorry. Time has gone so fast and I can't believe today was our last day at South Range Elementary! I've been keeping a blog where I have told about our days at South Range Elementary with photos. You can read the blog here.

Me and Ekku have settled here, to Upper Peninsula, so well, that I can't even think about leaving here soon. Ekku is already leaving on next Monday, I still have one more week after that. Maybe I'll visit South Range once more before leaving, I'm already missing children; I had tears in my eyes when we had to leave the school today.

The month has been full of happiness, we have had such fun days with children, who have been amazing! They have been - and hopefully will always be - full of eagerness and enthusiasim to learn. Me and Ekku truly hope that children know now more about Finland and our culture, our arts, literature, sports etc. We have enjoyed those lessons and seemed that children loved them too.

At least half of the class had a Finnish last name. This has been interesting to see, as in the whole area of Hancock and Houghton. You can see Finnish last names everywhere. A couple of older people have heard us speaking Finnish in a public space and they have come to talk to us. You never know where are the ears that can understand your speech!

Raili, Elisa and Alisa wearing Finnish t-shirts.

We made it to the news here - two times. We have felt like celebrities, many people have invited us for a dinner and wanted to hear about us, Finland and a Finnish school system. You can find the news here: Mining Gazette and Upper Michigans Source.

Finally here!

Whoa, it has been quite a travel to get here! I was supposed to be here last Wednesday, but I got stuck in Chicago for one day. My original flight was cancelled because something broke down at the Hancock Airport's weather station. The weather system was fixed at that same day, and I had a new opportunity to fly in the evening. Well, the plane took off and I immediately fell asleep. I woke up to hear captain's announcement that we have to fly back to Chicago - the weather system had broken again. I can tell there were a lot of grumby people there in the plane.

Luckily, third time's a charm, and on Thursday afternoon, I finally made it to Hancock. I was really tired during a whole weekend but now I'm getting used to this time. People here have been very helpful and nice, and it has been easy to readjust here.

Me and a teacher student Ekku are going to be the next ones to teach Finnish language and culture for 3rd graders in South Elementary School. Ekku was supposed to arrive this Wednesday, but his flights are cancelled because of Lufthansa's walkout... Hopefully he'll make it here before next Monday when teaching will begin!

Finlandia Hall.

Before Ekku arrives, I'm getting used to places and preparing for the teaching. I've already visited Finnish-American Heritage Center and going to explore the library of Finlandia University. It's so exciting to see Finnish heritage here!

Making journalism with 3rd graders

One of our central themes that we carried through during our four weeks in South Range Elementary School was producing our own E-Magazine. Below I’ll tell about that process as summarized.

We started our process to get familiar with journalism by exploring local newspapers. In that lesson we explored what sections there are included in newspaper and what are the regularities of common journal. Pupils found out for example that one of the first noteworthy things is to find out the date that the paper is published (before reading news or weather forecasts). 

Pupils exploring local newspapers

Already at this point we realized that it’s unnecessary to go deeper in details of journalism as generally. Taking into account pupils’ age you should keep matters in basics and cut the corners. Our purpose was by no means to create new journalists of 3^rd graders, but more like to let them explore and get familiar with journalism and communication as generally. I told also some own experiences about being journalist and I introduced my tools and ways of exploring information.

Important thing to remember is also variable skill levels of pupils. When producing articles with 30 pupils you have to simplify all operations and set enough aids so everyone of large class can accomplish something. So we decided to give ready topics for kids and give even complete questions to find information for. We separated large class in groups, three persons per each. We gave the topics and assistance questions and gave also specific roles for group members. One’s task was to write answers on paper, one was communicating person (ask more instructions from teacher if needed and report their progress of task) and one was have to be a scribe, when finishing the article to final form by computer.

Rush hour at the news desk!

Pupils’ task was to find answers to questions together and use different ways of explore information. In a weather article they had to go outside and observe current circumstances there, in a school article they had to ask some questions from school staff (like a miniature of interview) and so on. Accordingly, stages were like in real information exploring when making article, but in reduced format.

After finding the answers it was time to type an article in computer class. In that phase we noticed quick that it would have been important to remind pupils at the beginning what is style of writing, when writing an article. Even though the kids used full sentences when writing, most of them forgot to echo the questions. So though their sentences were logical, reader may miss the point and context without seeing the original questions!

Kimmo and Antero are typing their final version of the article.

The first time in computer class took some extra time, because we had to advise them, how to add article to Magazine Factory and how to copy and paste text from word processor software. Pupils adopt new things fast, so next time all the phases went already better and faster.

Some articles (for example the school introduction and some weather article) were separated for few groups and we connected their outputs in one single article before publishing them. Everyone could do some stories and at least we felt that they enjoyed that!

Taking photos with SLR camera was of course on important phase of creating articles, but I will tell about that later.

The tail of the fatal storm felt in UP too

I just have to share these unprecedented weather experiences here at Upper Peninsula. After an extreme long winter the spring and early summer have finally arrived, but abnormalities with weather didn’t end at the same time.

A lake or an ocean?

Last Sunday, day before yesterday, here were even heat temperatures in the morning and noon. Cloudy, sultry noon felt almost tropical and it turned to high wind by degrees. Afternoon we drove to McLain State Park to see, how Lake Superior was behaving on that day. Well, the waves on the lake were as huge as on ocean. T-shirt and shorts were absolutely too tenuous clothing for the wind that felt like in October. And on top of it all, the breath steamed like in freeze weather.

Sunny view from the dorm yard two days ago

And same location today, the clouds are down!

Last night we had quite a strong thunder storm here and I heard that it would have been the tail of huge storm, which caused shocking destructions in Oklahoma (1200 miles from Hancock) yesterday as a tornado. Before the storm I had a chance to visit in some small waterfront villages west from South Range with Joe Kirkish. Mr. Kirkish is a well known local gentleman, a former teacher in Michigan Tech and a culture person, who keeps himself up to date and is a very eager photographer too.

Joe had heard from some climate experts that this kind of unusual weather will become more common in UP in following decades. There will be more and more extreme weather: extreme snow, extreme rain, extreme wind and extreme heats – lines of four seasons are going to dim while by while. “Before I could tell to my visitors, what kind of weather it would be in a specific month when they were planning to visit here. No it’s almost impossible to tell forecast for the forthcoming week. Actually, you even cannot tell at the morning, how the evening will be”

Creepy hinterland road near Lake Superior last night, just before the storm.

Together with scientific explanations related to climate change, there are some other approaches too. Today one older man in Paavo Nurmi Center’s sauna asked me, if I read Bible. Reportedly it is said there that this phenomenon, when weather is getting mad is caused by people, who are getting madder too. So, all these extreme natural phenomena and disasters are some kind of punishment from upstairs.

All the same, climate is changing and we all have some opinions and explanations for that. That’s culture.