We discuss Reading, Riting, and Rithmatic, and the possibility that maybe we don’t need to be focusing on “Maths” as an entirely separate topic. If you have any questions or comments, write in and we’ll discuss them on the show. Email ahoy@pirateschool.fm.

We chat about the fact that home educators do a great job of behavioural education, and express our frustrations with senior schooling’s focus on testing. Bonus: Going through a trench coat and fedora phase! If you have any questions or comments, write in and we’ll discuss them on the show. Email ahoy@pirateschool.fm.

Religion plays a huge role in the lives of many homeschooling families, including ours. We don’t normally put too much of an emphasis on the topic, so we’ve dedicated this episode to discussing our Judaism and how it influences the way we educate our kids. If you have any questions or comments, write in and we’ll discuss them on the show. Email ahoy@pirateschool.fm.

Are we really as busy as we think we are? Trying to slow down during the school holidays.

It’s the last week of term! Time to think about what’s gone well, and areas for improvement.

Saadia and Talia relate their struggles with getting kids to do maths! They discuss some new framing and fresh ideas that might just help.

Saadia is back from Japan! We talk about homeschooling through travel, and the Gradual Release of Responsibility framework.

In this episode we discuss a range of topics from scheduling, to socialising, to learning styles. What’s been going well for us? What hasn’t?

We go on all sorts of tangents while trying to discuss the transition between traditional school and homeschool.

Getting your teenagers into a Dungeons & Dragons group is a great way for them to explore identity and develop close friendships.

In this episode we talk about learning while travelling, and the importance of meaning.

In this episode we discuss visual and tactile learning aids, and how they make learning more relevant by activating our higher-order thinking.

In this episode, we dive into the complex and ever-changing role of technology in homeschooling life. From screen time rules and voice assistants to routers and handwriting books, we unpack how our family navigates the push and pull of iPads, Minecraft, and message dictation. Plus: a music tangent, a fantasy sidebar, and practical advice for staying flexible while raising digital natives.

We finally get around to talking about Ecological Dynamics, and its relation to Constructivism. Saadia and Talia list four practical takeaways: Shake it up Keep it real Reflect → Retry Stretch You can read more about it here: https://diggingforfire.blog/posts/constructivism-for-normal-people/

In this episode, your hosts get a little sidetracked, and end up talking about all the new things that Saadia has been learning about– primarily the national curriculum. We heavily reference Angela Scarino’s research found here: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/331515422_The_Australian_Curriculum_and_its_conceptual_bases_a_critical_analysis

In this episode of Pirate School, Talia and Saadia talk about “Six Things”, a simple framework for homeschooling that focuses on building daily habits in six key areas to help our learners develop discipline and master new skills.

When it comes to social activities, there are so many ways to connect with other families. But what’s the difference between a meetup, a cooperative, a drop-off program, and a tutoring group? In this episode, we break down what each of these terms really means, explore how they work, and chat about the pros and cons to help you decide what might be the best fit for your pirates.

Let’s talk about assessment! Standardised or informal? Formative or summative? Self assessed, parent assessed or peer assessed? Talia goes on many tangents while Saadia tries to remain on topic!

How do we establish routines and rhythms for our learners, while also creating positive expectations around their learning outcomes.

In our very first bonus episode of Pirate School, we discuss Talia’s obsession with whiteboards.