Finland Comes to England - Primary

Why is Finnish Education so successful?
I think the main point is that the Finnish children actually listen to the teacher, respect her as an educator, and are able to think. I quite agree with the poor woman if they are not concentrating, because of noise and distraction, they cannot and will not learn. Where the solution to this lies is the eternal mystery of whose job it is to teach children good behavior these days. The ball goes back and forth from parents to teachers and vice versa.
As a private academy teacher in Spain I have the same problem sometimes. I thought the seating in the UK school was wrong. Observe the way the Finnish children were sat. I gain control of a rowdy 9 to 11 year old class by simply changing the seating. It was magic.
The Finnish approach to education
She expected them to get enthusiastic about the wrong things (the dissection of the lungs instead of her experience of scuba diving). Of course they are interested in scuba diving rather than the dissection of a lung. They live in London, which to any foreign visitor seems exciting and full of history and mystery. Well it is not for the average school child living in a working class community. Scuba diving is romantic, exotic and something that they will probably never experience.
If I were she I would have continued answering questions about it (to win there attention and confidence if nothing else) then lead them into biology or something related to the sea.
She seemed amazed at the resources they had in the lab, something that she said she didnt have access to in Finland. I am sure if she had tried doing something with the older girls with the microscope she would have had a better response. Keep them busy, put something in their hands. If they have to sit around a table writing they will chat about everything except what is going on in the class. I can still remember the highlight of my science class was when we made lipstick. It was horrible and we all went home; our mothers thinking we were hemorrhaging from the mouth, but very proud that WE had made a lipstick.
I think she was very brave to come, especially to a London school. I would like to know what the teacher in that school learnt from the experience. I felt embarrassed at the lack of respect and thankful that I am not a Schoolteacher and can see the days nearer when there will be no schools and all the children will learn from home- that is if they want to. It seems it is up to them to decide however much the teacher tries.

There is a limit to exactly what you can do to prepare for a class. OK always have a plan B. The object of the teacher is to teach-not to solve arduments amongst pupils what about the rest of the class)? Not to keep shouting "Be quiet" so much so that she looses her voice or gets so nervous that she has to have time off for stress. Lets get back to the main function of the teacher. Most etachers are resourceful and creative and imaginative but there is a limit, and when you reach this limit you give up. Lets revise our contracts, our work description sheets. It is obvious that even all this modern technology is not enough. Its back to the old fashion disipline, rules and good manners. Untill they get a 10 in that keep them at home. Home study is the answer the parents would soon "educate" their little darlings.

First I have to say it was silly to put this teacher in a multicultural school since she had very little experience of this kind of school, therefore she find it hard in terms of the classroom management issues. I think it would have been more comparable if she had been put in a school that had fewer nationalities.

It makes me feel so frustrated when she discovers the obvious problems we have: school day too long, National Curriculum too rigid because we can't do anything about this.

To be honest, I am looking forward to leaving England and teaching in an International School at least until England sorts out some of these major issues.

I do agree there, but it wasnt the anglo aficans who were the main offenders in that class.I think she was experienced enough to handle the multi culture, it was just the out right rudeness of the girls. I think the head mistress (master)should have them for a serious talk, or isnt that allowed these days?

I agree with Johanna that English children have to spend too long time in class learning. Let them finish at 1.30 pm and then be looked after in afternoon homes that can be organized in school and focus on social skills, cooperation and leisure time activities.Look at Finland and Sweden they are good at this.
Let the kids start school at the age of seven so they have time to play.By the time they are 12-13 they are getting bored.

Do you really think parents would teach children social skills at home? I dont think so. They are out working to make ends meet. I would like to see parents and their children in class together though. I have experienced this and it was very positive. The children show off the knowledge they have and it also stimulates the perents to where their children have gaps and also to enrich their education jointly.

In her video diary, Johanna suggests that maybe too many hours inside a classroom make it difficult to concentrate, to let the steam go, to play, to be with the family.

I remember not having too many lessons as we had to train for netball and had gym every other day. We also went swimming and wonderful art classes.Too much time in school? No,too much time doing nothing,loafing about.

We have been talking about this for many years now. Surely it's about time we did something about the school day, its curriculum content and the age that the children start school!!!We have a continual struggle with low level behaviour in the classroom... these children need to get out and experience learning and social interaction in more active and creative ways.