Note: This is a revision of a post I wrote several years ago. My kids have since successfully completed their homeschool education. Happy homeschooling!
When my children were young, I often used a thematic approach to homeschooling. I would choose a central topic and weave it into multiple subjects, sometimes stretching connections just to keep the theme alive. It wasn’t always a perfect fit, but it led us to incredible resources and memorable learning experiences that we might have otherwise overlooked.
As the years passed, our homeschool journey naturally shifted. The hands-on, theme-based lessons gave way to structured academics, textbooks, and a more traditional approach. There was an increasing pressure to ensure we were covering everything “important,” and somewhere along the way, the joy began to fade.
I didn’t fully realize this shift until one day, while driving past a restaurant we hadn’t visited in years, a memory resurfaced—the chocolate volcano.
Years earlier, we’d studied volcanoes in depth. We watched videos, built models, read fiction and nonfiction about volcanoes, and mapped their locations around the world. As a special treat to wrap up our unit study, we went to a restaurant that served lava cake, or as we called it, a “chocolate volcano.” It wasn’t the most educational field trip, but it was fun and delicious. It made learning feel special.
That day in the car, I asked my kids if they remembered our chocolate volcano outing. To my delight, they recalled it instantly—and with enthusiasm. Their excitement caught me off guard, but it also reminded me of something I’d forgotten: the power of joyful learning.
Looking back, I realize how easy it is to get caught up in checking off lesson plans and meeting academic expectations while losing sight of what truly makes homeschooling meaningful. The structured lessons are valuable, but it’s the experiences—big and small—that leave a lasting impact.
If I could give one piece of advice to homeschooling parents today, it would be this: Don’t let the joy get lost in the process. Seek out those “chocolate volcano” moments. They don’t have to be elaborate; they just need to create connections, spark curiosity, and bring delight into your homeschool days.
Years from now, when your children look back on their homeschooling journey, they may not remember every worksheet or chapter test, but they’ll remember the moments that made learning come alive.
So embrace the chocolate volcanoes. They’re the memories you and your children will treasure for a lifetime.
