Last day.

Today was our last day at school. Can't believe it. Time has gone so fast, we're going to miss everyone in that class, that's for sure. I almost cried when it was time to leave; the children have become so close for us.

"Official" group photo...

...and not so formal!

Children had brought some delicious cookies and delicacies for us and Dannika, of course, because it was her birthday as well!

We're going to miss our days here, wish we had had more time to spend with the class. This has been such a great opportunity and experience for us, we'll never forget this! Miss you all!

Finnish sisu and difficult language.

Finnish sisu was explained more clearly today. We showed a video about a young, former Finnish pro skier, who lost his ability to walk and speech after a major accident but he hasn't give up, and he's walking again - even sooner than the doctors predicted. That's what Finnish sisu is - never give up!

Today it was time to practice some Finnish sentences. Finnish is a very difficult language but children pronounced it very well!

Can't believe that tomorrow is already our last day at South Range Elementary School. It's going to be hard to say goodbye for everyone.

Seasons and sports.

Finnish seasons were briefly introduced today. Finnish sports and famous athletes were also presented. We watched video clips from those and also some crazy Finnish sports like eukonkanto (wife carrying competition) and suojalkapallo (swamp soccer).

Children's drawings about Finland.

Eliza had a cool t-shirt ;)

Finnish cuisine.

We presented traditional Finnish foods today, and children informed us about American foods as well. Finnish vispipuuro, whipped porridge, was children's favourite - mostly because it's pink (because of lingonberries). We also had a look at Finnish language, how long words they have and how original language it really is.

Last twenty minutes we watched another episode of The Moomins - they are just so good! Because three students were missing last Friday (the Finnish candy day), we brought them some Finnish liquorice and chocolate.

What we know.

In the beginning of the lessons, we watched the pictures and videos from Friday, when we were tasting the Finnish candies. Then, children had to draw whatever comes up to their minds about Finland, from what they have learned.

Last half an hour we were at the gym, playing floorball again. You really get good exercise with that game!

Salmiakki time!

It was such a funny day! First we had presentations of the Finnish animals we researched yesterday, and then... it was time to taste some tasty Finnish candies! Salty liquorice, salmiakki, is one the most famous candies in Finland, but... not here. Here are children's faces while tasting salmiakki:

Last group was the most brave one.

After the salmiakki, it was time for liquorice and chocolate. The chocolate, Fazerin sininen (Fazer blue) is the other classical Finnish candy. That one children loved and wanted some more!

But then, it was time for Fazer's Turkish pepper, even more stronger candy than salmiakki (Turkish pepper is made of strong liquorice candy flavored with salmiakki and pepper). Suprisingly, children liked it better than pure salmiakki! Well, they didn't like it either, but found it not-so-disgusting.

Research task: Finnish animals.

Some Finnish words were learned again and we noticed that children pronounced those words very well! We also watched one episode of The Moomins today, and again, it was wonderful to see that children really liked the show. These days, children's tv-series are full of action, lights and colours, but the Moomins are the opposite.

We started to get known to Finnish animals. Children were divided into pairs and they searched information about Eurasian lynx, Saimaa ringed seal and Western capercaillie, for example. Tomorrow we'll have presentations of all those sixteen animals.