TRAVEL

GUIDING QUESTIONS & REFLECTION

I am one of three gifted teachers in 4th grade at my school in Ocean Springs, MS. I have been teaching gifted for 16 years. Our gifted program falls under the umbrella of Special Education because gifted students have special needs that may not be served in a regular education classroom. As I prepare for my trip to Finland, I have thought about my own gifted students here in America. I am wondering what it is like for students who are above average in Finland. Do they have a gifted program? How do they meet the needs of the above average learner? After much thought (many ideas), I have decided that this needed to be the topic of my guiding question.

GUIDING QUESTION: What opportunities are there for above average students in Finland? What do they look like?

FINDINGS: The Finland educational system does not have a structured plan for their gifted pupils. They are not identified in any way. The students that finish their assigned work (and not necessarily gifted students) are assigned supplemental assignments-harder/higher level-not gifted work. Each classroom teacher is responsible for this based on the need.

THOUGHTS: As a gifted teacher, my heart goes out to these kids. I understand the concept of equality but not fostering the minds of these high achievers is doing them a disservice in my book. I just imagine all the possibilities that could open up for these kids.....

pre travel

September 28th: I am excited, curious, nervous and overwhelmed!

I have:

watched and read all the information posted on our travel site
immersed myself in so many articles on every aspect of Finland just trying to soak it all in before my travel date
made a list of things to do, or find out, or learn about in the next few weeks
made a list of guided questions and toiled over which would be the best suited for me and my trip
notated many similarities and differences about the US and Finland in relation to culture, education, foods, money, religion, government, etc.

POST TRAVEL

I HEARD: ALL ABOUT THE FINNISH EDUCATION SYSTEM

I SHARED: HOMETOWN INFORMATION WITH 3 ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS & WAYS TO COMMUNICATE WITH FINNISH CLASSROOMS UP THE THE RETURN TO THE UNITED STATES AT INTERNATIONALIZATION DAY

I VISITED: PAST FULBRIGHT ALUMNI IN THEIR HOMES

I JOINED: IN SEVERAL CULTURAL SAUNA EXPERIENCES AT LOYLY AND HOTEL KORPILAMPI

I ATE: REINDEER AND ELK, AMONG MANY OTHER FABULOUS FINNISH CUISINES

I SAW: MANY SITES AROUND FINLAND-SUOMENLIINA, HISTORICAL CHURCHES, PARVOO, OFFICIAL BUILDINGS AND MUCH MORE

I EXPERIENCED: THE HALTIA NATURE CENTER, HELSINKI CENTRAL LIBRARY OODI, THE FINNISH SCIENCE CENTER & THE KARELIAN MUSUEM

I LEARNED: LOTS ABOUT FINNISH ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS-KARISIKKO, FRIISILA & NIITTYLAHTI

I WATCHED: GAME 1 OF THE RINGETTES CHAMPIONSHIP

I PARTICIPATED: IN FINNISH COOKING SCHOOL

I AM: A FULBRIGHTER!

IF YOU HAVE ANY COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS RELATED TO MY EXPERIENCES, PLEASE FEEL FREE TO CONTACT ME AT AYARROW@OSSDMS.ORG

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