Finland

The best-selling book of easy-to-implement classroom lessons from the world’s premier educational system—now available in paperback. Finland shocked the world when its fifteen-year-olds scored highest on the first Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA), a set of tests evaluating critical-thinking skills in math, science, and reading. That was in 2001; 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 other nations with more traditional “work ethic” standards? When Timothy Walker started teaching fifth graders at a Helsinki public school, he began a search for the secrets behind the successes of Finland’s education system. Highlighting specific strategies that support joyful K–12 classrooms and can be integrated with U.S. educational standards, this book, available in paperback for the first time, gathers what he learned and shows how any teacher can implement many of Finland's best practices. A new foreword by the author addresses the urgent questions of teaching, and living, in these pandemic times.

“It is now time to break down the ideology of exceptionalism in the United States and other Anglo-American nations if we are to develop reforms that will truly inspire our teachers to improve learning for all our students—especially those who struggle the most. In that essential quest, Pasi Sahlberg is undoubtedly one of the very best teachers of all.” —From the Foreword by Andy Hargreaves, Lynch School of Education, Boston College Finnish Lessons is a first-hand, comprehensive account of how Finland built a world-class education system during the past three decades. The author traces the evolution of education policies in Finland and highlights how they differ from the United States and other industrialized countries. He shows how rather than relying on competition, choice, and external testing of students, education reforms in Finland focus on professionalizing teachers’ work, developing instructional leadership in schools, and enhancing trust in teachers and schools. This book details the complexity of educational change and encourages educators and policymakers to develop effective solutions for their own districts and schools.

Finland: the world's best-kept secret Finland, Cultural Lone Wolf is the story of an accomplished nation and her extraordinary people. Pursuing a "Lone Wolf" policy, Finland raised itself from a struggling, war-battered state in 1945 to one of the most developed countries in the world. The exponential rise of Nokia from tire and timbers to leading the world's telecommunication industry is indicative of the Finns and their characteristic business style. These remarkable people speak a language unique in its origins and have kept their cultural identity intact despite the influences of powerful neighbors, Sweden and Russia. Uniquely qualified to write about Finalnd, best-selling author Richard Lewis traces the fascinating Finnish origins, as well as her history, geography, values and culture. His extensive experience with Finnish business provides him with keen insight on leadership style, negotiation strategies and the uniquely Finnish suomi-kuva (Finland image). And Lewis shines when describing Finnish humor, complete with hilarious jokes and stories. Finland, Cultural Lone Wolf shows a nation and a writer at their best.

The Rough Guide to Finland is the essential companion to this fascinating Scandinavian country with clear maps and coverage of all the best attractions. Packed with stunning photography and illustrations, explore the must-see highlights from the best summer and winter activities - including skiing, snowmobiling and reindeer and husky driving - to the remote villages that come to life in the summertime, with beaches, lake cruises and island hopping. Find detailed accounts of all Finland's major tourist attractions, including the cultural capitals of Helsinki, Turku and Tampere and the laconic seaside towns along Finland's southern and western coast, as well as sections on Finnish design and The great outdoors. You'll find informed, practical advice on what to see and do whilst relying on countless recommendations for Finland's best restaurants, bars, cafés, shops and hotels for every budget and style. With authoritative background on Finland's intricate history and expert tips on how to get around the beautiful national parks, this is your must-have guide. Make the most of your holiday with The Rough Guide to Finland.

By analysing the experience of Finland, Risto Alapuro shows how upheavals in powerful countries shape the internal politics of smaller countries. This linkage, a highly topical subject in the twenty-first century world, is concretely studied by putting the abortive Finnish revolution of 1917-18 into a long historical and a broad comparative perspective.

Henrik Meinander paints a brisk and bold picture of the history of Finland from integrated part of the Swedish kingdom to autonomous Grand Duchy within the Russian empire, gradually transformed and maturing into a conscious nation, independent state and skilful adapter of modern technology. The main geographical context for his study is the Baltic region, and the author links his analysis to structural developments and turning points in European history. The book blends politics, economy and culture to show how human and natural resources in Finland have been utilized and the impact its cultural heritage and technological innovation have had on its development. In a departure from most conventional approaches, Meinander gives greater emphasis to recent and contemporary events. In other words, he puts Finland into a range of historical contexts in its Baltic and European settings to highlight how both together have formed Finland into what it is at the beginning of the twenty-first century.

An up-to-date political, social and economic history of Finland from medieval times to the present. David Kirby traces the evolution of Finland's distinctive identity and of the Finnish national state from the long centuries under Swedish rule, through self-government within the Russian Empire, to independence in the twentieth century.

CultureShock! Finland guides you on a fun-filled crash course on getting to know this rarely explored country. Find out why the Finns are so proud of their motherland and why others fall in love with it from their first visit. From cosmopolitan Helsinki to traditional Lapland, discover the gems of each region and be charmed by the magical winters and the long summer days. Be acquainted with the Finns and find out what lies behind their silence and the desire for personal space. Understand how environmental consciousness and gender equality play an important role in Finnish society and be initiated into the delights of the Finnish sauna. This book also covers a wide range of practical topics to enable you to settle in seamlessly, such as how to set up home, how to conduct business effectively and what leisure activities are available. CultureShock! Finland is the all-encompassing guide that will help you to find your way in Finland and make it your own.

In the face of Soviet invasion in 1939–40, and once again in 1941–44, the armies raised by Finland – a tiny nation of only 4 million people astonished the world by their effective resistance. At the end of both these campaigns – the Winter War, and the Continuation War – the fiercely patriotic defiance of vastly stronger Soviet forces by Marshal Mannerheim's soldiers won their country a unique prize: although forced to accept harsh terms, Finland was never occupied by the Red Army, and retained its independence. This book explains and illustrates, for the first time in English, the organization, uniforms, equipment and tactics of Finland's defenders.

During most of Finland’s history, it had been ruled by different countries. The first instance of this was the Treaty of Nöteborg in 1323. This treaty was between Sweden and the Novgorod Republic and it established their borders. After the treaty, the majority of Finland became a part of Sweden. From 1323 through 1808, the majority of Finland was a part of Sweden. After 1808, Russia captured the region of Finland from Sweden. Russia captured the region of Finland from 1808 through 1809. Then, in 1906, Finland had its own parliament. Although, Russia recognized Finland’s independence on December 31, 1917. In 1906, Finland had universal and equal right to vote which also applied to women. Then, in August of 1939, Finland went under Soviet Union influence. Throughout Finland's history, Finland was not independent very often. Although, when Finland became independent, a man named Johan Vilhelm Snellman advocated and supported the development of Finnish culture and the development of the country. Snellman wanted Finland to have full independence and its own culture. Snellman was born on May 12, 1806 in Sweden. He was born after the establishment of semi-independent Finland. Snellman was a philosopher, statesman, and a journalist. He taught at a university in Helsinki. Snellman wanted Finland to be advanced in education and the arts. Snellman had told the young Finnish people that, “Your success in football does not make me happy! Young Finnish like you not to beat Germans, English, Frenchs, Hungarians by shooting to the ball; Instead of it, with your mind, your heart, science, craft, trade, carpentry I would love to defeat them to take your homeland forward with your willing.” This book explains Snellman’s ideas on developing a newly growing country. It focuses on increasing the quality of education and the school environment. This book became very popular among developing countries. It was first written in Serbia in 1923 under the title “Zidari of Belly” which translates to “Creators of Life”. It was next printed in Bulgarian in 1925 under the title “In the Country of White Lilies”. In Bulgarian, the book has gone through 14 editions. The book was also printed in Turkish in 1928. In Turkish, the book has gone through 16 editions. The first president of Turkey, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, knew that this book held valuable information so he made all public employees read the book, he put it into the school curriculum, and made Turkish officers study the book. This book was then published in Russia in 2004 under the title “Finland, the Country of White Lilies”. Today marks the day that this book was translated to English by Atatürk Research Center CT. (July 2020)