Hei Suomi! Program

Hei Suomi! Program In A Nutshell

Hei Suomi! is a collaborative project between South Range Elementary School, Finlandia University, the University of Lapland and the Finnish American Heritage Center.  The main aim of the program is to enable South Range Elementary School's third graders to learn about contemporary Finnish culture and language. The program builds on the strong Finnish heritage in South Range and surrounding areas. The program was piloted in the spring of 2012, and will continue on an annual basis.

As part of the program, third graders at the South Range Elementary School had visiting teachers from Finland in their classroom during the month of March of 2012.  Two Finnish education students from the University of Lapland, Miss Sanna-Mari Suopajärvi and Miss Eeva Holappa, explored Finnish culture, geography, history, nature, language, traditions, and Finnish children's everyday lives with the young students. South Range Elementary third grade teachers Steve Aho and Lisa Pyykkonen provided support and assistance.

The Finnish education students employed teaching methods that both took advantage of modern educational technologies and allowed students to be active participants and explorers.

For more information, visit the Hei Suomi! blog at http://heisuomiprogram.blogspot.com/

Media appearances:

• Third graders say "Hei Suomi!" by D. Maki (2012). The Finnish American Reporter, April 2012.
• Suomi visits South Range by S. Kukkonen (2012). The Daily Mining Gazette, March 21, 2012. Available online: http://www.mininggazette.com/page/content.detail/id/524739/Suomi-visits-South-Range.html
• From Finland to South Range. Scholar brings culture, language to pilot project by S. Kukkonen (2011). The Daily Mining Gazette, December 15, 2011. Available online: http://www.mininggazette.com/page/content.detail/id/523336/From-Finland-to-South-Range.html?nav=5006
  

Mrs. Ritva Koukku-Ronde, Ambassador of Finland to the United States, is the protector of Hei Suomi! Program.

Hei Suomi! Program Aims

• To enhance pupils' opportunities to learn about contemporary Finnish culture & language
• To explore the Finnish heritage in the UP
• To promote Michigan Grade Level Content Standards
• To promote the Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts & Literacy in History/Social Studies
• To promote global understanding
• To engage in pedagogical exchange with Finland whose students are among the best in PISA surveys
• To enrich school faculty
• To strenghten collaboration between Finlandia University and University of Lapland
• To strengthen collaboration between Finlandia University and local schools

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Hei Suomi! Program Coordinator

• Päivi Hakkarainen, Post-doctoral Researcher, University of Lapland, Faculty of Education, paivi.hakkarainen@ulapland.fi

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Hei Suomi! Program Partners

South Range Elementary School

• Tim Keteri, Superintendent
• Kim Harris, Principal
• Steve Aho and Lisa Pyykkonen, 3rd Grade Teachers

Finlandia University and the Suomi College of Arts & Sciences

• TyAnn Lindell, EVP for Academic and Student Affairs
• Christine O'Neil, Dean and Assistant Professor
• Wade Tillett, Assistant Dean, Assistant Professor
• Päivi Hakkarainen, Fulbright Scholar-in-Residence

University of Lapland, Faculty of Education, Finland

• Eeva Holappa, Student in the Class Teacher Training Program
• Sanna-Mari Suopajärvi, Student in the Media Education Program
• Päivi Naskali, Professor of Women's Studies, Dean
• Anneli Lauriala, Professor of Teacher Education
• Outi Kyrö-Ämmälä, Senior Lecturer in Teacher Education, Teaching Placement Coordinator, Vice Dean

Finnish American Heritage Center

• James Kurtti, Director
• Hilary Virtanen, Paloheimo Fellows Coordinator