Teach Like Finland

33 Simple Strategies for Joyful Classrooms

By: Timothy D. Walker

Narrated by: Walter Dixon

Length: 5 hrs and 36 mins

Publisher's Summary

Easy-to-implement classroom lessons from the world's premier educational system.

Finland shocked the world when its 15-year-olds scored highest on the first Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA), a set of tests touted for evaluating critical-thinking skills in math, science, and reading. That was in 2001; but even today, this tiny Nordic nation continues to amaze. How does Finnish education - with short school days, light homework loads, and little standardized testing - produce students who match the PISA scores of high-powered, stressed-out kids in Asia?

When Timothy D. Walker started teaching fifth graders at a Helsinki public school, he began a search for the secrets behind the successes of Finland's schools. Walker wrote about several of those discoveries, and his Atlantic articles on this subject became hot topics of conversation. Here, he gathers all he learned and reveals how any teacher can implement many of Finland's best practices.

Remarkably, Finland is prioritizing the joy of learning in its newest core curricula and Walker carefully highlights specific strategies that support joyful K-12 classrooms and integrate seamlessly with educational standards in the United States.

From incorporating brain breaks to offering a peaceful learning environment, this audiobook pulls back the curtain on the joyful teaching practices of the world's most lauded school system. His message is simple but profound: these Finland-inspired strategies can be used in the US and other countries. No educator - or parent of a school-aged child - will want to miss out on the message of joy and change conveyed in this audiobook.

©2017 Timothy D. Walker (P)2017 Gildan Media LLC

Very Helpful in Encouraging Me in Teaching

This book has been very helpful in Encouraging me, a fairly new teacher, in the field of education. I have always had thoughts in my mind about how a good solid education system would work and this book basically told me that my thoughts are very rational, although it did add many points that I had never thought of that would make my career so much easier and less work!
the narrator's voice did get old after awhile and I had to pause to take a break from it. the voice is not particularly annoying in itself, but lacks the use of different tones and expression.
overall, it was excellent and would recommend this audio book to fellow teachers!!

Finland...lets go!

Fantastic insight and great ideas! The reader though is so soft spoken it was difficult to hear throughout the book. I tried several devices and all were the same...I don't know if this can be corrected, but needs to be for full understanding.

Oh how I wish!!

As an educator, I learned quite a lot after listening to this book. I will no longer beat myself up for circumstances that are beyond my control. However, I will do my best to implement as much of these practices as possible moving forward.

little too technical

Nice but a little bit dry, I expected more of a personal narration. Probably better in written form.

Interesting Insights for Teachers &Parents

A lot of common sense that I wish could be implemented here. Frequent breaks for kids. Minimal homework. Teachers are there to teach, not be the family's social worker, nor counselor.

Very interesting

As a future teacher and someone who has attended school in the US her whole life, I found this audiobook to be very interesting. It gave me a better idea of the kind of teacher I want to be and ways in which I can bring some of the Teaching strategies of Finland into my American classroom. I really enjoyed it

Enjoyable but a tad unrealistic

This was an easy enjoyable read, however, the suggestions made to teachers were idealistic and not pragmatic.

Not just for educators—this book is beneficial for everyone!

Going into my first year of teaching during COVID-19, it is important for students and teachers alike to gain a healthy work-life balance. I choose to prioritize joy in my classroom whether this be through taking brain breaks and mindfully disconnecting from the lesson or granting students ownership and choice in their learning. I want students to feel comfortable in an environment that is conducive to a growth mindset—encouraging mistakes and viewing mistakes as opportunities to grow. After reading this book, I have established a plan to implement brain breaks, or “choice time,” in my classroom, collaborate with teachers “organically” in an “abundance-oriented approach,” and a time to lesson plan and disconnect from the school day to re-charge. Mr. Walker has inspired me to create a mental health plan going into my first year of teaching, to focus on one day at a time, and to recognize that it is okay to not be okay; I can experience joy through “mental toughness” regardless. I am a “competent, professional teacher,” and I am going to be the best that I can be without comparing myself to anyone else. Altogether, this an awesome read, and I would highly recommend this book to any person who is looking for a mindful, joyful work-life balance.

Great book for a teacher

This book really helps to think about my classroom practise and gave me ideas to improve my teaching.

Inspiring

As a teacher this book inspired me to continue in the classroom. It affirmed that what we do is the right thing to do!