My Last Day at Folkungaskolan

As a teaching student. I have had to endure many bittersweet “last days” over the past four years. But none quite as bitter or as sweet as my last day at Folkungaskolan.

It happened to fall on a very eventful day for the students because Martin Widmark (renowned Swedish author) and Louise Hoffsten (famous Swedish musician) were visiting the fourth grade classes to talk about the book they co-authored: Dar Orgiernas Dansar.

When the guests arrived they brought with them a TV crew. We were told that we were going to be on Channel 1 news! We crammed both grade 4 classes into one room with 4 teachers, our two guests, and a five person TV crew. The authors spoke to our class for 2 hours, which was very difficult for me because it was entirely in Swedish.

Very few Swedish authors have English translations made for their books. This is a tragedy because the illustations in Swedish children’s books are the most imaginative and breath taking I have ever seen. This particular book also comes with a CD of music composed specifically for this story by Louise Hoffsten. I was so moved by the illustrations and music that between teaching and soaking up the Swedish culture, I have spent past few weeks translating the entire book into English so I could understand the story.

At one point a couple of students had the opportunity to play music for the guests. This young man wrote a song called "Hejdå" (goodbye) and dedicated it to me in honor of my last day.

After the presentation I told Louise Hoffsten how her music had inspired me to translate the book. She was so moved that she invited me and the students to eat lunch with her. After lunch it was time for my last class with the 5A. I talked to the class about how much I was going to miss them and how special this has been. Then I gave each of them the American flag I'd brought for them as a parting gift. They were so excited! I told them what all the stars and stripes meant. Then they presented me with my gift. A beautiful handmade Swedish flag! 

They made it themselves during their textile classes. Everyone signed the flag and they even made a little elephant with grey fabric and googly eyes and glued him on there. I love it so much! What a wonderful memento of my time with them. 5A came in and presented their flag. They made a smaller flag on a pole. So I have one for my house and one for my classroom!

Before I knew it it was time for me to run back to Karin's classroom to say goodbye to the fourth graders. After I gave 4B their flags, Karin said they had prepared something for me. She opened the door that connects the two fourth grade classrooms and had me stand in the door way. Then 5B joined 4B’s class and 5A joined 4A’s class and they all sang a farewell song to me in Swedish. Some of the students even played their instruments for the song! That’s when the tears came. I gave a short speech about how much this experience has changed my life and how I will never forget them for helping me to become the teacher I’ve always wanted to be. Then 4A presented me with German chocolates and 4B said they had one more surprise for me. They gave me a copy of Dar Orgiernas Dansar signed by Louise Hoffsten and Martin Widmark! Now I can add my translations and share the book with all the students who pass through my classroom!

Before I left I made sure each class got their picture taken with Peanut (I think they will miss him most of all).

When the students were dismissed they all lined up to give me a hug goodbye. Several of them formed a circle so they could get back in line and keep getting hugs. I will miss them so much! I’m so sad to have to leave, but I know I will be back! I will never forget the 110 students that changed my life forever!

Video Chat Between my American Placement and my Swedish Placement

Today was very special because it is the day my fifth graders have been looking forward to since I first arrived: the day they get to use skype to video chat with my students in America. 

When I was student teaching in a third grade class during my first student teaching placement, the classroom teacher and I came up with this idea to have my class in Sweden video chat with her class in America. The students would be able to meet each other and ask questions about the cultures and what it’s like to be a student in that country. The American third grade teacher, Björn and I had to overcome many obstacles to make this happen. First of all, the time difference. In America, they don’t even begin school until 2 hours after school ends in Sweden. Björn and I resolved this by asking the parents to send in permission slips allowing their child to stay very late so they could participate.The next issue was technology. The computer in our classroom was very old, had no webcam, and the internet connection was terrible. So Björn and I met with the school technician who graciously offered to install his own brand new laptop and portable webcam in our class. He also brought a router to fix the internet problem. Finally, the day of the video chat, the teacher in the American classroom contacted me to tell me she would be out that day and was unable to connect the Skype call. For a while we really thought we’d have to cancel. But we were not about to quit when we were so close! The teacher contacted another teacher I’d worked with at the school. She agreed to connect the call and the substitute agreed to facilitate the video chat. I am so proud of everyone involved. We really pulled together and synergized to give our students this once in a lifetime opportunity!

In the end it was all worth it! The video chat was a huge success and both classes really learned a lot! I was so proud of my Swedish students for speaking English so well! They understood everything the Americans said. I didn’t have to translate at all! The American students were shocked when we told them they only started learning English a year and a half ago. I was worried that the age difference would be an issue but due to cultural differences, language barriers, and popculture lag, my American third graders were a perfect match for my Swedish fifth graders.

It was also very special for me because I miss my American students very much. That class will always hold a very special place in my heart! When we first connected the call I saw the Substitute sitting infront of the computer. At first she couldn’t see us, but once the video started working 24 ecstatic kiddos swarmed to the screen yelling “MS. ROGERS!!! MS. ROGERS! WE MISSS YOU! LOOK IT’S MS. ROGERS!! WHERE IS PEANUT?” My Swedish students were so tickled by this. One little girl said, “Nika, I think they love you just as much as we do!” I would’ve cried if I wasn’t so busy smiling from ear to ear. Both these classes always make me feel so special. Being a teacher can sometimes make you feel like some kind of superhero.

Both classes asked so many great questions! They included

“What is the weather like there?”

“What time is it right now?”

“Are your teachers nice?”

“What is your favorite class/food/singer/ animal/sport/movie/TV show?”

“How long is your school day?”

“Can you tell us your daily schedule?”

“Teach us how to say something in Swedish/English”

“If you could come to our country for a year and be a students, would you?”

I video recorded my Swedish students during the video chat. The parents of the students involved gave consent for me to share the video with other educational professionals. Now I can edit the video and include excerpts in my teaching portfolio!

This experience was so rewarding for both classes and for Björn and I as well. We agreed that it could not have gone better! Now all my Folkungaskolan kiddos want to got to school in America and all my American kiddos want to go to Folkungaskolan! Björn, Karin and I have made arrangements to facilitate international outreach between our classrooms. My future class will be penpals with Karin's class to help build their fluency and we hope to host many video chats in the future.

Our Presentation to the High School English Classes

This was a very fun day Because Max got to come to Folkungaskolan with me! A couple of the Gymnasium (High School) teachers asked if we could come speak to their students about what it’s like to be a high schooler in the United States. It is very different in Sweden so the students were curious about the worries and dreams of American students, getting accepted to college, paying for college, etc.
Below is the outline Max and I developed for our presentation to the high school students.


The two most important things to US highschoolers: College and Social life.

I.                     College

a.                 Choosing a college

                                            i.     What do you want to do?

b.                 Getiing accepted

                                            i.     ACT and SAT

                                         ii.     Grade Point Average (GPA)

                                       iii.     Resume/ extracurricular involvement

c.                  Paying for college

                                            i.     Cost

                                         ii.     Scholarships (Acheivement based and Need based)

                                       iii.     Student Loans

                                      iv.     Parents/You pay

II.                  Social Life

a.                 School Sports Teams

b.                 Clubs and Organizations

c.                  Proms, Homecoming, etc.

d.                 Outside of School

III.               Private (Trinity) vs. Public (YPAS)

a.                 Dresscode

b.                 How strict teachers are

c.                  School rules/Punishment

It was interesting to see their reactions when we told them how much money it costs to attend our University for one year. In Sweden, education is covered by taxes (even college). Another topic that really fascinated the students was school sports teams. In Sweden they don’t have school sports teams like we do. People can get a club together to play basketball or soccer, but they don’t compete with other schools. Sweden also doesn’t have school mascots or colors. They were very surprised that American schools put such an emphasis on school spirit and school pride.

I think the students really enjoyed the discussion. They were very engaged and asked lots of great questions. Many students expressed an interest in traveling to America as part of an exchange program to finish their high school career.

A Lesson on Stereotypes (One of my favorites)

Both fifth grade classes at Folkungaskolan had 100% native Swedes. While Folkungaskolan has many students of differing nationalities, the fifth grade had an unusual lack of diversity. In my first week with these students, I observed an air of superiority in their interactions with students in the school from other countries. The classroom teacher expressed concern that if left unaddressed, these intolerant attitudes could escalate into racist tendencies. I decided these students could benefit from a lesson about stereotypes. It was clear these students meant no harm; they simply didn’t understand how hurtful racial stereotypes can be. To raise awareness I designed a lesson to guide them toward considering stereotypes from multiple perspectives.


I began the lesson by explaining the term "stereotype" and giving a few examples (the French are all snooty, the Swiss are all beautiful, etc.) Then I asked the students to break into groups of 4 and discuss stereotypes they believe or have heard about Americans and stereotypes they think Americans believe about Swedes. After a few minutes we returned to the whole group setting. The students raised their hands to share and I wrote a list on the board. For Americans it was very predictable:

• Fat (most of the answers had to do with Americans being fat)
• Lazy/selfish
• Happy 
• Rich

Next we made a list for Swedes. The things the kids said they thought Americans said about Swedes included: "the best,"thin, and blonde hair and blue eyes. After they shared these answers I pulled out a paper and pointed to it. 
"Are you ready to hear what Americans actually think about Swedes?" I had compose this list by asking several Americans (both children and adults) what stereotypes they've heard or believe about Swedes. A few students looked a little nervous but they were all excited to hear the list.

I wrote each one on the board and explained:

• The best  Arrogant: It's interesting that you said "the best" because in America, many people believe Swedes are arrogant and superior. Arrogant is when people think too highly of themsleves. They think of you the way you've said you think of the French.
• Thin  Giant: I'm sorry. No one I asked said they think Swedes are thin. Many Americans think Swedes are giants. They think you start at 6 ft tall and that you are big from all the potatoes and meatballs.
• Blonde hair and blue eyes: You were right about this one. 
• Stoic: Many people think Swedes walk around like robots, they don't get very happy or very sad
• Ditzy: Not just in America, several countries think Swedes are very ditzy and stupid.
• Swedish Chef: I know many of you all know this one. Many Americans think Swedes talk like the Swedish chef. 

(I played a youtube clip of the Swedish chef for the children who had not ever heard him. They were very amused That Americans think they sound that way).
I circled the list of Swedish stereotypes: arrogant, giant, blonde hair and blue eyes, stoic, ditzy, Swedish Chef.  

"Do you think these words describe you, your family, and your friends?" 

The answer was a resounding "No."

"Why do you think people in several different countries all say this about you if it isn't true?" Answers varied but all centered around one answer which hit the nail on the head, "I think that If they don't know us very well they may meet one Swede who seems this way and then say it about all of us. I also think people say these things because in TV shows, this is how they make Swedes look." 

"How do these words make you feel?" 

"Right now, funny. I think it is funny to hear these, they make me laugh. But if someone said it about me for real I would be sad and mad too."

"Do you think it is fair that their are many people out there who before even meeting you would decide not to be your friend because of these stereotypes?"

"No that isn't fair at all. Not all Swedes are this way. I dont want people to think I am this way." 

"Raise your hand if I am the first American you have ever met." All but three students raised their hands. I circled the list of American stereotypes: Fat, lazy/selfish, happy, rich. 

"Let's go through this one at a time, and please be very honest. You aren't going to hurt my feelings. I'll start from the bottom: Am I rich?" 

"Well you are a teacher and they don't make a lot of money, you said you share one house with four roommates, so no. I guess you aren't rich." 

"Ok what about happy?" 

"Yes, you seem to be a happy person. You smile a lot and are very friendly." 

"Well thank you. How about lazy? Am I lazy? Am I selfish?" 

"No!! You teach many classes for us and you come to our choir class during your breaks to hear us sing! You always put us first. You even came to our talent show and many of our parents didn't show up!" 

"Yes I care about you very very much and I will always work hard for you. So I'm not lazy and not selfish. Now I saved this one for last because I think many of you talked about this: All Americans are fat. So me then? I must be very very fat, yes?" 

"Nej Nika! No! You are not fat. But that is because you are special. aren't all the other Americans fat?" 

"Well let's find out. Raise your hand if you met Max at the talent show. Max is American, so he is also very fat, right?"

"No! Max is thin too!" 

"Ok you have seen pictures of my roommates and of my family. All of them are American. Are they fat?" 

"Not at all! they look normal. They look like Swedes!" 

"Exactly. It is true that many Americans suffer from obesity, but this is a problem many countries have, even Sweden. But does that mean everybody is obese? Your class room has many students who like Justin Bieber, but it wouldn't be true if I said every student here likes Justin Beiber. Every country has fat people and thin people. So why do you think everyone says Americans are so fat?" 

"For the same reasons Americans think we are all blonde. The tv characters! They make Americans seem fat and lazy so people believe it." 

"When I told you Americans say Swedes are blonde, arrogant, stoic, ditzy people who sound like the Swedish chef. How did that sound to you?" 

"It sounds silly. Its silly to even think that every swedish person is exactly the same way. I can't believe Americans said that and didn't know how wrong it is."

"How do you think it would sound to Max, or another American if I read them your American stereotypes?" 

"I think Max would think our list is just as silly and wrong as we think the other list is."

"Now you all have been very very mature about all of this. I knew I could do this lesson with you and you wouldn't take it personally or get your feelings hurt because you know I don't believe any of those stereotypes, so this is a safe place to discuss it. Many of you have even made jokes about it. But can you think of any reasons why saying a stereotype about someone you know might not be a good idea?"

"When we say it here in class we are talking about it and we know you don't mean it. But if I heard someone else say a stereotype for me in school or with friends, it would hurt my feelings. It's a bad idea to say because people could get hurt feelings."

"I think you are absolutely right. Can anyone else tell us why it's a bad idea to believe stereotypes?" 

"Even if you know a lot of people who are a way, some people might not be. I know a lot of snooty French people, but my best friend is French and she isn't snooty. If I thought all French people were snooty I never would invite her to play and then I wouldn't have my best friend."

"That's an excellent point! If we believed stereotypes, just think of all the wonderful people we never would've met. Everyone on earth is their own person with their own choices. It's very important to give everyone a chance and not judge them just because they are not from Sweden. If I thought all Swedes were Arrogant I might not have come to Sweden, and then I would've missed out on all of you!"

At the end of class one of the students who I thought about when I planned this lesson, raised her hand. "Nika, I don't have a question but I wanted to say on your first day here I saw you with Bjorn and my friend said you were the American teacher who would join our class. When they told me I said 'No, you are confused, she cant be the American. Our American teacher will be fat and much louder.' But now I think that if you had seen me and thought 'That can't be my student, my student will be ditzy and never smile.' It would make me feel sad. I'm very sorry I thought things before meeting you. I could've missed out on the beautiful person you are. I am very happy you are here and if I hear any Swedes stereotype other people I will give them a great big talk because my favorite person in the world is an American!" 

I think this discussion was very enlightening for everyone. They found the Swedish stereotypes to be very funny and ridiculous, which helped them to realize how ridiculous all stereotypes are. The last student's comments really meant so much to me. America is so far away and many of these kids hear things in the media and assume it is true. But this really proved just how open they are to reconsidering their point of views. 

Peanut Letter 4

Peanut's fourth letter!

Dear Class,

How is America? Ms. Rogers misses you a lot, but we're having so much fun in Sweden! Today I want to show you Ms. Rogers' most favorite place in all of Sweden: Trädgårdsföreningen! But you can just call it Garden Society Park!

Here we are at the bus stop. Ms. Rogers and I use the buses to get everywhere! 

 This is us at the park entrance! They have a lot of cool stuff here like a fountain, a gazebo, and even a restaurant made out of a greenhouse!

This Lion is the official mascot of Linköping so you see these everywhere! It's kind of like jaguar pawprints at your school! I wonder why no one has an elephant mascot?

Now this is my favorite part of the park: THE PLAYGROUND!!!

Swedish playgrounds have these amazing round swings you can ride with your pals!

Believe it or not this is actually a basketball court! They use astroturf or fake grass so you don't scrape your knee when you trip! Smart thinkin' Sweden!

After the playground we like to go for a hike. These stairs look like something out of a story book to me! They lead to a whole other part of the park that is surrounded by forest. Perfect for adventurers like me!

 

We always have a fun time exploring the woods. We've seen lots of jackrabbits here and its the perfect spot for bird watching which is very popular in Sweden

Did you know that Sweden isn't the actual name of the country? That's just what we call it in America. It's real name is Sverige (pronounced svair-ee-uh). America does that with a lot of countries. For example Japan is actually named Nihon (pronounced nee-hoan). 

I hope you liked my pictures! I'll write again soon!

The "Busiest" Teacher at Folkungaskolan

Recently, all Linköping schools received federal evaluations. People came into the school and "audited" the teaching and the school environment. The results are in and Folkungaskolan received the best report of any school in Linköping! The incredible teachers I work with have really earned this and I am so proud to be a part of it!

Today, the headmaster stopped me while I was running in between classes to tell me that I am the hardest working teacher at the school! This was very flattering! In Sweden teachers only teach one or two classes a day. However, I am a student teacher for two different grades (fourth and fifth) so I teach 4 to 6 classes a day. During my breaks I try to run to my students' Music classes because they love it when I sing with them! Other times I run to the high school English classes to talk to the students about what it is like to be a high school student in America and what pressures they face. So in this way I do have a fuller schedule than most teachers. but everyone at Folkungaskolan works very hard to give their students the best education possible. I think that is evident in their federal scores!

Most of the teachers spend their downtime in the personelrum (teachers lounge). I do this on some occasions but, in all honesty, I would much rather be singing with my students and meeting the high schoolers than sitting in the personelrum chatting. I love the teachers here but I also love the students and this is not just MY international experience...it is THEIRS as well.

Team Teaching

Classes were back in session yesterday. Karin is in Flensburg, Germany. Her substitute teacher is my friend Natalie! Natalie is one of the two Swedish student teachers who came to America as part of the exchange program. We were so excited to get the chance to teach together! We have become so close and I will really miss her when I leave. The students were painting their family trees today. They are really turning out great! It has been very fun to teach art to such a creative group and they seem to enjoy it so much. During English class Natalie and I team taught a lesson to introduce the "Rooms of a house" unit. I introduced the terms using a powerpoint with pictures from my house in Kentucky. Then we split the class in half and Natalie had one half work on a "Moving House" short play in English, while I had the other half partner off and use house floor plans to play a guessing game reminiscent of "Battleship." Each partner chose five family members and placed them throughout the house. Then they took turns guessing which where each family member was. After 20 minutes we switched so each group got to do both activities. I also taught the class the "My House" song Natalie and I wrote to integrate music into the new vocabulary.

In the grade 5 classes They have finished their presentations so we will spend the rest of the time doing open discussion. (they ask me questions and we discuss) I was blown away by the questions these students asked! They asked about Christmas traditions in America, Taxes and even the health care system. They are a very curious and insightful group!

Here are some of the tres my fourth graders are working on. Some of them have already started adding their family portraits!