Day Two- Visiting Mecca? Part one.

June 09, 2023

Day Two- Visiting Mecca? Part one.

This morning after another fabulous Vitamin D shot and breakfast at the hotel, we went off to what would surely become one of my favorite experiences in the schools. Our first stop was in the town of Tyrnävää. We pulled up to a beautiful building with curves and many windows at varying heights. The sides were clad in woods of many shades offering interest and warmth. The whole building at Kirkkomännikkö was like a giant wooden hug. As we unloaded from the bus, I could see a mom walking up with her young child of probably 5 years old. She rang a bell, kissed him on the face and waved goodbye as the child was welcomed into school for the day.

Walking around the building, we could see several bare grounds to play. The ground was not covered in some falsely colored substrate, or manicured into perfect bushes or trim. There were swings and sand pits and bikes and in the distance you could see bigger playgrounds from the next door school. We first entered into a building that was attached to the wooden wonderland. It was yellow and rectangular and much more like the schools we inhabit at home. A look of recognition overcame many of us. Then we found out that was a building that was built in the 1950's and it was about to be demolished and replaced with a much mroe modern design that fit the new instructional practices of the changing world.

the long familiar corridor

a bottle of ink that was uncovered as they cleared the building for demo

the old cafeteria space also being demolished

super cool birds of Finland

Once through the long, familiar corridor style building that most matched what our school buildings in the States are designed matching, our eyes opened up to a bird nest or tree house that seemed to exude love. You could not help but be happy here.

There was a small circular central area with small white tables broken up by a central staircase leading to a circular loft that seemed to house bean bags and library bookcases for small ones. The space was inviting and functional for little bodies. As you walked around the central circle, there were classrooms coming off the center like flower petals. Each class had a loft and small square footage with big impact. Some of the classes were joined together with doors and mud rooms for the kids things... oh did I tell you the schools are mostly shoe free zones? So cool! The space was intimate, homey and functional.

It has my name on it!

Games and puzzles stored in central area

This space can be used for lunch, snack or small group areas

cute loft for books

Holly- More Boomwhackers!

They can hang things from the ceiling!

This was used most recently for 1st graders.

A small class was in session. She had 10 kids including at least 1 special needs child. When we were there, they did a puppet song. She sang and used the puppets, then they sang again and kids took turns with the puppets. She then played the piano to accompany them. Most primary classrooms have small pianos! I also saw a small kitchen area, puzzle area, and tubs of barbies and Legos. Upstairs was a book loft.

This building was what they call a Kindergarten. This is the equivalent of our day care through Kindergarten programs. It serves kids from age 1-6. At the age of 7, kids go to primary school in First grade.

Rantarousti School

After feeling the love at Kirkkomannikko School, we exited and headed toward the big building and the other playgrounds. There were field hockey little rinks set up, climbing things and even a big running track that we passed. We could see houses on the edge of the property and paths to walk and bike on.

(Have I told you that all of the roads have bike paths running parallel or often even through neighborhoods? Oulu is the biggest cycle city in the world I think. Oh if we could have this infrastructure!)

You could feel the excitement from the teachers as some were even skipping to the next spot.

We were in luck! There were some summer camps going on at the school so we could see some of the space in use by young children. I got a gift from a little girl and was so touched by her gesture. She and I didn't speak a lot of the same language, but I gave a hug and we shared heart hands. "This is Finland", I thought.

Love.

After removing our shoes, we began to amble through the school. At first glance, the architectural drawing for emergency exits made the school seem simple and small, but it was everything but!

Again, the building is broken into nests or pods. It seems there is an open hall structure, but spaces are broken up into many small moveable spaces with furniture and curtains. There are small rooms in the middle for quiet sensory conscious learning or small groups. Teacher teams work together to work in smaller units and again the theme of TRUST is essential. When you offer kids your TRUST, they rise to the occasion and do what is necessary.