FRIDAY, APRIL THE 29TH: "VAPPU" AND A BIT OF TOURISM

Hello everyone. 

Finally It's Friday! And I’m glad not because tomorrow I don’t have school, but because I will not have to get up early and I will be able to rest a bit more... 

Today at school was a special day; they have been celebrated "VAPPU" which in Spain is the worker’s day. Here's a funny custom, all teachers and students are dressed in something funny and it is a day without books. Students play, watch movies...

With Ana's Frozen, his sister Elsa is happy in his castle of ice.

Karisto School teachers. From early morning, a spree.

With more Karisto School colleagues

Of course, Sven and I have disguised us as if we were also Finnish.

But not only the teachers dress up, students also, and make a costume contest in the Pavilion to choose the best costume...

Costume contest in the Pavilion; here you have the finalists.

And guess who has won... I was sure since I've seen it...

Winner of the costume contest.

But they were some more funny costumes... Here are some:

                                        

But watch out! Sven also has disguised... Good heavens that he had a great time with the kids!

                                                                                                          

Sven having a great time.

     

At the end we all have moving in time to the Finnish national typical dance around this time: "LETKAJENKKA." The following link is the music of the song. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PasJRF6IN08

In this other link, you can see as the dance is... All at the same time, it was great!... do you dare to try it in class?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bagc7HlKf3w

Also, today the school was over at 12 o’clock and all the children went back to their homes. The teachers have remained a while longer drinking and eating typical Finnish products they use to take in this day. 

The rolls are called "MUNKKI" and are really good.

And this is the typical drink for these days, SIMA, a kind of homemade, juice and fanta. Sven loves it, it remembers him to his childhood.

And another tradition for these days is to put this hat that looks like sailor, but with which students graduate when they finish secondary education; it is called "YO-LAKKI" and is only made in this country.

This beautiful teacher is Jonna, and has taught me so many new Finnish words.

And since we had time because we had finish earlier, it was Jonna, which has proposed me to show me some of the most beautiful places of this area; so we got into her car and check what beautiful Lake I have met!; it is called "PÄIJÄNNE"...

It is typical to have a small house near the Lake for the summer, if you can afford it. 

Not in vain, we are in the region of the Lakes. During the winter they freeze, and cars can cross above them; and in summer, when it pure and crystalline water comes back, the Finns take advantage to bathe in them and make multiple water activities.

It is very normal that the inhabitants of the towns nearby have a hut in which to spend their leisure time; to relax, to read, to navigate with their boat, to fish and also to have a sauna. In the following link you have more information about this magical area where you can breathe peace and tranquility.

 http://www.visitfinland.com/lakeland/

Jonna presented me her husband, Henri, also teacher. I have been invited to have for an afternoon snack with them at their house... It is beautiful! They have been so kind that I hope that they visit us soon, in Murcia.

With them I could talk more relaxed on Finnish traditions, their culture, their habits, their tastes... I have learned a lot of new things!

As you can see, in the houses is also usual to go barefoot and even it is cold outside, the house is always warm.

We felt so comfortable that they offered themselves to bring me to get to know another part of Lahti which I had not seen yet, the Lake "VESIJÄRVI". Beautiful!

And look at what I've seen... a "minibeach" at the Lake!

The most popular beach in Lahti.

Walking with Jonna and Henri.

The truth is that I've been lucky to be able to go ride with two people who live here and know the region so good... I have already said thank you, but here I say it again. It was an impressive afternoon. Thank you.

All this weekend continues its traditional festival, VAPPU, so I can live any new situation and certainly funny and educational.

The first week in Karisto School run past! And how lucky to live this experience and know so kind people. I'm learning so much...

Good night, relax and take time to read much... Tomorrow I have free day, I tell you about the weekend on Sunday.

VIERNES 29 DE ABRIL. "VAPPU" Y UN POCO DE TURISMO.

Hola a todos.

¡Por fin es viernes! Y no es que me alegre porque mañana no voy a la escuela, sino porque no tendré que madrugar y podré descansar algo más...

Hoy en el cole ha sido un día especial, se celebraba el "VAPPU" que en España es el día del trabajador. Aquí tienen una divertida costumbre, todos, profesores y alumnos se visten con algo gracioso y es un día sin libros. Los alumnos juegan, ven películas...

Con Ana de Frozen, su hermana Elsa feliz en su castillo de hielo. 

Profes del Karisto School. Desde la mañana temprano, una juerga.


Con más compañeros de Karisto Scool





Por supuesto, Sven y yo nos hemos disfrazado
 como cualquier finlandés más. 

Pero no sólo los profes se disfrazan, los alumnos también, y hacen un concurso de disfraces en el pabellón para elegir el mejor disfraz....

Concurso de disfraces en el pabellón, éstos son los finalistas.

Y adivinar quién ha ganado.....Yo lo tenía claro desde que lo he visto...

Ganador del concurso de disfraces.

Pero habían más disfraces divertidos......Aquí van algunos: 

                                        

Pero ¡ojo!, que Sven también se ha disfrazado.....¡Anda que no se ha divertido con los niños!

                                                                                                          

     

Sven pasándoselo pipa. 

Todos hemos terminado moviéndonos al ritmo del baile típico nacional finlandés de estas fechas tan señaladas:"LETKAJENKKA." En el siguiente enlace tenéis la música de la canción:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PasJRF6IN08

En este otro enlace, podéis ver cómo es el baile...Todos al mismo tiempo, ¡Ha sido genial!....¿Os atrevéis a intentarlo en clase?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bagc7HlKf3w

A demás, hoy el cole se ha acabado a las 12h y todos los niños se han ido a sus casas. Los profesores nos hemos quedado un rato más bebiendo y comiendo productos típicos de Finlandia que se toman este día..

Los rollos se llaman "MUNKKI" y están buenísimos.

Y ésta es la bebida típica para estos días, SIMA, una especie de casera, 

zumo y fanta. A Sven le encanta, le recuerda a su infancia. 

Y otra tradición para estos días, es ponerse este gorro que parece de marinero, pero que es con el que se gradúan los alumnos cuando terminan la educación secundaria se llama "YO-LAKKI" y sólo se hace en este país. 

Ésta guapa maestra es Jonna, y es la que me ha enseñado tantas palabras finlandesas nuevas. 

Y ya que teníamos tiempo, por terminar antes, ha sido Jonna, la que me ha propuesto enseñarme algunos de los sitios más bonitos de esta zona; así que nos hemos montado en su coche y mirar qué lago más precioso he conocido, se llama "PÄIJÄNNE"...

Es típico tener una casita cerca del lago para el verano, si puedes permitírtelo. 

No en vano, estamos en la región de los lagos. Durante el invierno se congelan, pudiendo pasar hasta coches por encima de ellos,  y en verano, cuando vuelve el agua pura y cristalina, los finlandeses aprovechan para bañarse en ellos y hacer múltiples actividades acuáticas. 

Es muy normal que, los habitantes de las ciudades cercanas, tengan una cabaña de madera en la que pasar su tiempo de ocio; descansar, leer, navegar con su bote, pescar y como no, darse una sauna. En el siguiente enlace tenéis más información de esta zona tan mágica donde se respira paz y tranquilidad.

 http://www.visitfinland.com/es/region-de-los-mil-lagos/

Jonna me ha presentado a su marido, Henri, profesor también. Me han invitado a merendar a su casa...¡Es preciosa! Han sido tan amables que espero que me visiten pronto, en Murcia.

Con ellos he podido hablar más relajadamente sobre las tradiciones finlandesas, su cultura, sus hábitos, sus gustos... ¡He aprendido un montón de cosas nuevas!

Como veis, en las casas también se acostumbra a ir descalzo y por mucho frío que haga fuera, la casa siempre está calentita.

Tan a gusto hemos estado que se han ofrecido a llevarme a conocer otra parte de Lahti que no había visto aún, el lago "VESIJÄRVI" ¡Precioso!

Y mirar que he visto....¡Una "miniplaya" en el lago!

Una playa muy solicitada en Lahti.

Con Jonna y Henri paseando.

La verdad que he sido afortunado al poder ir de paseo con dos personas que viven aquí y conocen la región tan bien...Ya le he dado las gracias, pero por aquí se las doy de nuevo, ha sido una tarde impresionante. GRACIAS.

Todo este fin de semana continúa su fiesta tradicional, VAPPU, así que podré vivir alguna situación nueva y seguro que divertida y pedagógica. 

¡Qué rápido ha pasado mi primera semana en  Karisto School! Y qué suerte poder vivir esta experiencia y conocer a gente tan amable. Estoy aprendiendo tanto...

Buenas noches, descansar y sacar tiempo para leer mucho....Yo mañana libro, os cuento cómo ha ido el fin de semana el domingo.

THURSDAY, APRIL THE 28TH: FOOTBALL; EMAIL; ARTS AND CRAFTS CLASSROOM.

Hello everyone! How are you today?

As every day, the classes have begun with the arrival of the students, the majority as you can see, by bike, doing sport... How nice to see those healthy habits!

Autonomous, isn’t it?

Karisto school’s bikes parking.

And so, early and very cold, I had to accompany the girls from 6^th to the physical education class, who decided to make exercise in the school outside area, as it was not raining, therefore for them is good weather. They have chosen to play football; even some of them have gone for a walk through the forest... that also is exercise!

Basketball field. Look at that view!

Although it seems more Bullrings, this is the football field. They use cones of goal.

I've played with them, and we've had great. But it was so cold...

Then, I went to another sixth course. I've talked to them about you, our school and our region...I've put them the video about Murcia, I brought prepared... they loved!

They put me a lot of questions, mostly related to our customs...

That reminds me, you should open the mail from the school as they are going to send you some emails to exchange information... Who knows, perhaps you make new friends; even if they are far away, it is always nice to meet people with different customs and cultures...

This morning they also had a religious activity. All the students of the Center were together and have been singing a few songs. Their religion is predominantly Protestant. Do you know the difference with the Catholic religion? There are many, but perhaps its different interpretation of the Bible the question which distinguishes them. For Christians, the Pope is the highest Christian authority, the representative of the Church. However for the Protestants the spiritual power and the authority do not rest in the hands of common men, but in God’s word written in the Bible...

You have to respect all beliefs; although different and sometimes difficult to understand, are part of the culture of a country...

Then the food time has come, each day I like more and more... Sven always wants to be the first in the queue, but before he must wash his hands, like everyone.

Today fish and vegetables…

The fact that all the children eat in the school’s dining room for free, not only guarantees that they eat varied and healthy, but also, that teachers have the opportunity to teach them to eat properly.

To sit well on the chair, to use appropriate the cutleries, to distribute the dish, or to tidy up at the end of a meal, are just, some of the contents to be learned...

I assure you that they do it very well, especially when they are in line picking up and leaving everything on its place... All this makes children more autonomous.

Students leaving their dishes and cutlery.  No one monitors them; they already know how to do it.

And now, I want to ask a question, to the students, teachers and parents who may be reading this blog... What you see in the pictures below?

Danger, perhaps? Are you imagining the amount of accidents that can have your children if they used these tools?

And you, teachers... you see problems, complaints and bureaucracy or learning opportunities?

No wonder, it is fear, fear of the consequences, fear to make damage, fear of "what might happen."

These and many more are tools used by Finnish teachers to work with their students such skills as: cut and sawing wood, nail Quills, screwing, drilling, welding, sanding... And this is the kind of crafts, totally free; Karisto School students have the opportunity to use.

      

And I'm not talking about money and resources, as we already know that in Spain something like that it would be impossible due to the cost involved in relationship, obviously, to the investment...

We are talking about AUTONOMY AND INDEPENDENCE, basic support on which is based its educational system; and in the fact that these students work with them since they are young, as if nothing had happened even if there are dangerous tools or flammable substances around them; they already know it and are aware. They grow being educated in its handling and neither teacher nor parents are afraid of it, because they do not see the danger, they see the purpose, they see it as NATURAL

And you know what the purpose is? I am going to show you:

         
   

Perhaps make a balancing pole and develop the balance by working with wood...

                                                                              

                       

Or build a nest for birds... See all the tools used in a natural way.

Do things as curious as this, to prick the sausages and grilled them...

A boat to can play at the Lake?

It’s very nice to see how the children are given autonomy and independence and they know how to use it to grow learning. Of course, they know the risks and dangers involved in these practices, but they are taught to know them and know how to act; anyway, they have no fear for them, they are motivated. 

                                               

                     

                                                            

And when they finish their work, they clean, they put everything in its place, and they go home with their self-made handcrafts... And with the great personal satisfaction, that they have been producing them.                           

  

I was taking about with Sven sited in the bus; what a beautiful thing to trust in each other.

Few people here doubt about the decisions of the students, the teachers or parents. Each one has its role and responsibility in the education.

They are educated to be autonomous, independents, to make their own decisions and to understand their consequences, whether positive or negative. That’s why they grow with fewer fears and insecurities and are able to take the bus alone, go to school by bike, to serve themselves the food they need, to handle dangerous material or to do the homework without nobody threaten them with punishment. 

I trust Sven!

In brief, children will grow and will be independent, it is better they acquire responsibilities they will have to handle with, in the future, before it will be too late. We should take as a challenge and an opportunity of learning. 

Even the biggest thing makes smaller with perseverance…

Here, it has begun to rain again... I'm going to bed. Rest and as always... Read a lot.