Classes will be held every other Saturday from 10 am to 1 pm; please see our calendar for exact dates. Instruction focuses on developing the students’ Finnish language comprehension and oral skills. Our older students also practice their Finnish reading and writing skills. Each teacher plans an engaging school day with fun activities to encourage the students practice their Finnish skills in a range of ways. Arts and crafts activities are incorporated into the school day to further increase the children’s understanding and appreciation of the Finnish culture and traditions. Each group gets to visit the school library to take out some Finnish books for home. The school day also includes a break for lunch and recess.
Oravat (3-4 years)
The focus in this age group is learning and practising spoken Finnish, and to enrich the children’s vocabulary in a nurturing atmosphere. During the day we sing songs, read stories, play various musical games and rhymes. We make arts and crafts that reflect the season and Finnish culture.
Book used:
Pyyhittävä Heikun keikun -puuhakirja (Oppi&ilo)
Siilit (4-5 years)
Children in this group focus on learning Finnish through songs, rhymes, stories, crafts and games. We also learn Finnish letters and sounds, but the main focus is on learning fluent spoken Finnish and enriching the students’ vocabulary.
Book used:
Pikkumetsän esiopetus (WSOY)
Porot (6-7 years)
Children in this group focus on learning the basics of reading and writing in Finnish. We aim to build a strong foundation of sound, syllable and word-level fluency in both reading and writing. Spoken language and vocabulary are developed through games, rhymes, songs, stories and poetry. We learn about different Finnish celebrations throughout the year and engage in a range of arts and crafts activities.
Books used:
Seikkailujen Aapinen (Otava)
Seikkailujen tehtäväkirja 1, syksy (Otava)
Ketut (7-9 years)
The Fox class is a group of children who speak two or more languages at home and Finnish primary only with one parent. Most children in this class speak Finnish with fluency and know the basics of reading and writing in Finnish. In this class, the emphasis is on developing children’s understanding of spoken Finnish, broadening vocabulary, and deepening Finnish cultural knowledge by having a fun time through games, stories, crafts and play.
Books used:
Apilatien lukukirja ja harjoituskirja (Sanoma Pro)
Karhut (9-13 years)
Karhut group consists of our oldest students, aged 9 to 13. Students in this group already master spoken Finnish and are also able to read in Finnish fluently. In this class, the emphasis is on broadening the students’ vocabulary, improving their grammatical proficiency as well as accuracy of written text. Karhut group also learns about Finnish culture, traditions and key events in the Finnish history. Art and craft activities are incorporated into each school day.
Books used:
Kulkuri 3 (Sanoma Pro)
Kynäkulkuri 3 harjoituskirja (Sanoma Pro)