Finnish Pedagogy | Rekla Consulting and Learning Studios

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🌿 The Creativity of Thinking: Why Students Need Space to Wonder

🌿 The Creativity of Thinking: Why Students Need Space to Wonder

🌿 The Creativity of Thinking: Why Students Need Space to Wonder

What happens when we stop rushing students for answers and start giving them space to think? In Finnish-inspired classrooms, silence isn’t a gap — it’s strategy. Discover how structured routines and creative pauses build student confidence, curiosity, and critical thinking across all grade levels. 🌿

vanessa speigle

Oct 27, 20254 min read

Students gathered in a bright classroom, smiling and engaged as one raises her hand to share an idea while the teacher observes — a moment of student-led learning and collaboration.

Students gathered in a bright classroom, smiling and engaged as one raises her hand to share an idea while the teacher observes — a moment of student-led learning and collaboration.

🌱 From Teacher-Led to Student-Led: How to Build Agency in the Classroom

Discover how Finnish-inspired classrooms turn quiet compliance into confident leadership. This Rekla guide helps teachers shift from teacher-led to student-led learning through trust, reflection, and collaboration — with practical, low-resource steps you can try this week.

vanessa speigle

Oct 7, 20256 min read

Photograph of a smiling teacher sitting at a table surrounded by students. Large white text overlay reads: “Teacher well-being = student well-being.

Photograph of a smiling teacher sitting at a table surrounded by students. Large white text overlay reads: “Teacher well-being = student well-being.

🪑 Small Routines, Big Impact: Structures that Calm the Chaos

Small routines like circle agreements, talking pieces, and student-led tasks transform classroom chaos into calm. Discover Finnish-inspired, CBC-aligned strategies that reduce stress, build trust, and support teacher well-being globally.

vanessa speigle

Sep 11, 20254 min read

Group of smiling children laughing and playing outdoors with text overlay: “Joy in Every Classroom.” Represents Rekla’s focus on joy and well-being in education.

Group of smiling children laughing and playing outdoors with text overlay: “Joy in Every Classroom.” Represents Rekla’s focus on joy and well-being in education.

🌿 Joy belongs in the Classroom: Not an Extra, but Essential

🌿 Joy isn’t an extra in teaching.......it’s essential. Discover why joy matters for well-being and engagement, and explore 5 Rekla Sparks that bring laughter, movement, creativity, kindness, and celebration into your classroom.

vanessa speigle

Sep 9, 20252 min read

🌱 5 Circle Time Routines to Build Calm & Connection in Your Classroom

🌱 5 Circle Time Routines to Build Calm & Connection in Your Classroom

🌱 5 Circle Time Routines to Build Calm & Connection in Your Classroom

Want calmer mornings, smoother transitions, and stronger connections with your students? Circle time can transform your classroom from day one. In this post, I’ll share 5 simple circle routines you can start tomorrow — plus a free bundle of printables to guide you step by step.

vanessa speigle

Sep 4, 20253 min read

Secondary students in a classroom with role cards labeled facilitator, timekeeper, and recorder, modeling rotating leadership roles in a flipped classroom.

Secondary students in a classroom with role cards labeled facilitator, timekeeper, and recorder, modeling rotating leadership roles in a flipped classroom.

🔃How Do You Get Students to Lead in a Flipped Classroom?

Turn science into student leadership! ⥮ This 5-day lesson bundle on Habitats & Leadership (Grades 3–5) uses a flipped classroom strategy to give students ownership of their learning while building collaboration, reflection, and real CBC competencies.

vanessa speigle

Aug 28, 20255 min read

Vintage newspaper-style graphic with the headline “Schools Face Teacher Crisis Worldwide.” Sub-headlines include: New Haven, Connecticut schools opened with 87 teacher vacancies unfilled; Queensland, Australia teachers went on strike over pay, burnout, and safety concerns; Kenya’s National Education report revealed a shortage of more than 100,000 teachers. Design resembles an old newspaper front page.

Vintage newspaper-style graphic with the headline “Schools Face Teacher Crisis Worldwide.” Sub-headlines include: New Haven, Connecticut schools opened with 87 teacher vacancies unfilled; Queensland, Australia teachers went on strike over pay, burnout, and safety concerns; Kenya’s National Education report revealed a shortage of more than 100,000 teachers. Design resembles an old newspaper front page.

✨ When Teachers Lead: Combating Burnout and Behavior Crises Through Rekla’s Framework

Teachers face burnout, shortages, and CBC challenges. Rekla aligns with Finnish pedagogy to offer practical, classroom-ready solutions.

vanessa speigle

Aug 24, 20255 min read

A classroom of diverse students sits around a giant peach in the center of the room with books and laptops, celebrating National Eat a Peach Day. The chalkboard reads ‘Inside the Peach: Leadership, Belonging, and Storytelling.

A classroom of diverse students sits around a giant peach in the center of the room with books and laptops, celebrating National Eat a Peach Day. The chalkboard reads ‘Inside the Peach: Leadership, Belonging, and Storytelling.

🍑 Special Edition Blog | National Eat a Peach Day: What a Giant Peach Can Teach Us About Leadership

In honor of National Eat a Peach Day, Rekla brings you a special one-day literacy lesson inspired by James and the Giant Peach. This flexible plan for Grades 1–9 explores leadership, belonging, and storytelling through inquiry, hands-on stations, and reflection—perfectly paired with our new Behavior & Belonging Collection.”

vanessa speigle

Aug 22, 20252 min read

Graphic with the phrase “Small Shifts Can Create Big Change” alongside a staircase and upward arrow, symbolizing growth and progress in education.

Graphic with the phrase “Small Shifts Can Create Big Change” alongside a staircase and upward arrow, symbolizing growth and progress in education.

3 Quick Wins 🎯 for Senior Teachers (and a Big Announcement 🎙)

Senior CBC classrooms can feel overwhelming—but small shifts create big change. This week, discover three quick wins 🎯 that build leadership and belonging from day one, plus a big announcement: the launch of the Rekla™ Podcast!

vanessa speigle

Aug 21, 20253 min read

A diverse group of senior secondary teachers standing together in front of a chalkboard that reads “Leadership, Reflection, Belonging.” The teachers are confident and collaborative, representing empowerment and Finnish-inspired pedagogy in CBC classrooms.

A diverse group of senior secondary teachers standing together in front of a chalkboard that reads “Leadership, Reflection, Belonging.” The teachers are confident and collaborative, representing empowerment and Finnish-inspired pedagogy in CBC classrooms.

💪 Empowering Senior Teachers with Finnish Tools to Support CBC

Senior CBC teachers face the challenge of guiding large classes while fostering independence. With Finnish-inspired strategies, our new Teacher Training Course and Senior Toolkit equip educators to lead through agency, reflection, and belonging.

vanessa speigle

Aug 19, 20252 min read

A diverse group of senior secondary students (ages 15–18) sit together in a bright, modern classroom. One student stands and confidently leads the discussion, while peers listen and contribute, modeling collaborative leadership and belonging.

A diverse group of senior secondary students (ages 15–18) sit together in a bright, modern classroom. One student stands and confidently leads the discussion, while peers listen and contribute, modeling collaborative leadership and belonging.

🔓 Unlocking Leadership in Senior Classrooms: From Passive Learners to Active Leaders

Leadership in senior classrooms isn’t about control—it’s about belonging. Explore 3 practical strategies to help students step up and thrive, inspired by Finnish pedagogy.

vanessa speigle

Aug 17, 20252 min read

Smiling senior students talking together in a classroom, with the blog title ‘What If Your Students Took the Lead and Loved It?’ displayed above

Smiling senior students talking together in a classroom, with the blog title ‘What If Your Students Took the Lead and Loved It?’ displayed above

❤️ What If Your Students Took the Lead....and Loved It?

When students take the lead in senior-level classrooms, engagement and confidence soar. This post shares why student leadership matters, three proven strategies to encourage it, and how to avoid common pitfalls—so your students leave ready to lead in life, not just follow instructions.

vanessa speigle

Aug 14, 20253 min read

Upper secondary students working on puzzle pieces with a teacher, symbolizing closing hidden gaps through student-led learning."

Upper secondary students working on puzzle pieces with a teacher, symbolizing closing hidden gaps through student-led learning."

🧩 The Hidden Gaps in Upper Secondary CBC...Through a Finnish Lens

Many upper secondary students arrive with “hidden gaps” — skills and habits that were never fully developed. See how Finnish methods help CBC teachers close them.

vanessa speigle

Aug 12, 20252 min read

A female teacher leans in and smiles at a young male student wearing glasses, seated at a desk with a notebook and pencil, as large white text across the image reads “What If They Just Don’t Listen?” with an ear icon after the question mark.

A female teacher leans in and smiles at a young male student wearing glasses, seated at a desk with a notebook and pencil, as large white text across the image reads “What If They Just Don’t Listen?” with an ear icon after the question mark.

👂 What If They Just Don’t Listen?

When students don’t listen, it can derail your lesson and drain your energy. This post shares Finnish-inspired, CBC-aligned strategies to build respect, increase engagement, and keep learning student-centered—without relying on rewards or punishments. Includes practical tips teachers can try tomorrow to transform classroom dynamics.

vanessa speigle

Aug 11, 20253 min read

Blue rectangular graphic with white text that reads: “Assess comes from the Latin word assidere, which means to sit beside.” The words “Assess” and “to sit beside” are bolded for emphasis.

Blue rectangular graphic with white text that reads: “Assess comes from the Latin word assidere, which means to sit beside.” The words “Assess” and “to sit beside” are bolded for emphasis.

🎯 Rethinking Assessment: What If Reflection Is the Data?

Most behavior systems are designed to manage students — not understand them. But what if behavior could be assessed the same way we assess learning: through observation, reflection, and student voice? In this blog, we explore how classroom moments like conflict, calm-downs, and co-created routines can offer meaningful, formative insight into student growth. Plus, get your free Rekla Behavior & Belonging bundle — packed with real tools to make this shift possible.

vanessa speigle

Aug 7, 20252 min read

A soft, warm-toned digital illustration featuring a magnifying glass hovering over playful children's drawings and educational symbols. The title "The Gift of Looking Closer: Reflection at the Heart of Rekla" is written in a friendly, modern font. The design evokes curiosity, intentionality, and the quiet power of reflection in learning, aligned with Finnish pedagogy and Rekla’s core values.

A soft, warm-toned digital illustration featuring a magnifying glass hovering over playful children's drawings and educational symbols. The title "The Gift of Looking Closer: Reflection at the Heart of Rekla" is written in a friendly, modern font. The design evokes curiosity, intentionality, and the quiet power of reflection in learning, aligned with Finnish pedagogy and Rekla’s core values.

🔍 The Gift of Looking Closer: Reflection at the Heart of Rekla

iscover how Rekla’s first month set a powerful foundation through Finnish-inspired reflection practices, teacher tools, and a bold vision for global education. A heartfelt look at growth, impact, and what’s next.

vanessa speigle

Jul 27, 20252 min read

Classroom desk display of a teacher resource kit including folders, clipboards, worksheets, pens, glue, timer, and printable materials organized neatly with a chalkboard background. The words “Resource Kit” appear at the top in bold yellow font.

Classroom desk display of a teacher resource kit including folders, clipboards, worksheets, pens, glue, timer, and printable materials organized neatly with a chalkboard background. The words “Resource Kit” appear at the top in bold yellow font.

🌿 Curious About Finnish Education?

Curious about Finnish education but not sure where to start? The Finnish Education Starter Toolkit is your free, printable guide to joyful, student-centered teaching. Whether you’re a classroom teacher, homeschool parent, or school leader, this resource will help you explore key Finnish principles and start applying them in any learning environment.

vanessa speigle

Jul 22, 20252 min read

Affordable $5 low-resource lesson bundles with Finnish-inspired, weeklong classroom activities

Affordable $5 low-resource lesson bundles with Finnish-inspired, weeklong classroom activities

📚 What Makes a Great Low-Resource Lesson?

Discover what makes a great low-resource lesson and explore Finnish-inspired examples now available in the Rekla Library. Includes free downloads, themed bundles, and a custom request form for teachers seeking support.

vanessa speigle

Jul 20, 20252 min read

🌿 One Stop for All Your Finnish-Inspired Teaching Needs: Inside the Rekla Library

🌿 One Stop for All Your Finnish-Inspired Teaching Needs: Inside the Rekla Library

🌿 One Stop for All Your Finnish-Inspired Teaching Needs: Inside the Rekla Library

Discover how the Rekla Library is becoming a one-stop hub for Finnish-inspired, low-resource teaching tools. From free lesson samples to growing themed bundles, this post walks you through how to use the Library in your classroom, summer club, or after school program.

vanessa speigle

Jul 18, 20252 min read

Three adults standing between bookshelves in a library, smiling and discussing books while holding notebooks and folders.

Three adults standing between bookshelves in a library, smiling and discussing books while holding notebooks and folders.

Introducing the Rekla Community Library

Discover Rekla’s new Community Library—where educators around the world can share, explore, and download Finnish-inspired lesson plans and resources. Join for free, access creative tools, and contribute your own classroom-ready content.

vanessa speigle

Jul 14, 20252 min read

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