Viherkallio Elementary

Viherkallio Elementary

This morning we visited Viherkallio Elementary, a school serving students from 1st to 6th grade. This school is known for their use of technology and their school leadership. The principal, Mikko Leppanen, spoke to the group about his vision for the school, the advancements that have been made, and the philosophies behind integrating technology, student freedom, and trust in schools.

Principal Leppanen

A 3D Science program, showing the parts of a leaf in the school's "Launch Room", which is used by students and staff

A large mat, which is also an interactive technological tool

 

A stage with an interactive background screen for dramatic performances

  

Flexible Seating for Students

Dr. Dwyer testing out the hallway vehicle

The video screen above the shelves shows where students are in various open parts of the building where they may be working independently. This allows teachers to work with smaller groups and still keep an eye on the other students. 

Kids eating lunch, which is provided for all students

   

Students help paint, build furniture, and assemble cabinets at the school. This gives them experience with life skills, but also gives them a sense of pride and community in the building. 

Artwork is displayed throughout the hallways. 

Students do not wear shoes in the school building. 

6th grade students in a religious science class, discussing the conflicts that can occur between morality and law by learning about Rosa Parks

 

  

  

Girls independently rehearsing for a dramatic performance

Students working independently in the hallway

  

The Gym, used for physical education, sports, and regular classroom lessons

  

Pictures from a patio project in progress

Student workshop for woodworking lessons. All students do woodworking and students from 3rd through 6th use the workshop. Students are collaboratively building the ship seen in in the background, a model of Finnish naval ship that sank in the Baltic Sea. 

 

Students are responsible for helping clean the workshop

2nd graders acting out a scary moment in a read aloud

These classes are working on a pirate unit and have arranged their seating like a ship. Around the room you can see various pirate related projects. 

Foreign Language Classrooms- Students start school speaking and learning Finnish and Swedish, the dual national languages. In 3rd grade they begin learning English. If students have a different native language they will also take classes in their native language. 

  

Model ship built by students

Music Class

Students created their own "Escape Room" for problem solving and cooperation practice. There is a candy prize at the end! 

Students are exposed to basic social information, such as how to make friends, how to talk politely with others, etc. 

A special needs class with the school dog

  

An independent reading cubby in the hallway

  

The playground, which the principal says will be refurbished in the next few years. Students were playing freely, even without an abundance of equipment. Grades 3-6 use this playground and there were a lot of mixed age groups playing together.