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Summer
of a Lifetime Program
Overview
The Summer of a Lifetime (SOAL) program was
created to extend learning and character
development beyond the school year for high
school and middle school students. The
program focuses on language arts, math and
spiritual study. Students also participate
in enrichment activities outside of the
classroom, such as camping, a visit to a
fine restaurant and a tour of the Milwaukee
Art Museum.
SOAL Academic
Highlights
Language Arts
HOPE uses the study of literary classics to
increase vocabulary, enhance comprehension
and improve speech development. Students
learn how to thoughtfully discuss literary
elements, such as character, plot, point of
view, setting, style, theme and tone.
During SOAL 2007, students studied the novel
"Flowers for Algernon," a science fiction
story written by Daniel Keyes. Students
completed daily quizzes associated with
their readings and were challenged to
discuss and debate the ethical issues
addressed in the novel. To enhance their
reading experience, students learned about
the Rorschach inkblot test and had an
opportunity to provide interpretations for a
series of inkblot tests. They also created
their own versions of inkblot tests.
In addition, students learned about essential
aspects of good writing – both expressive
and technical. They practiced journaling and
other habits that will help them become
powerful writers.
Math
HOPE uses Renaissance Learning’s Accelerated
Program to help students receive the extra
support they need in math. The program’s
computer-based, progress-monitoring tools
gave each SOAL student the opportunity to
work at a pace that was challenging but not
frustrating. The flexibility of this program
allows struggling students to work
side-be-side with their peers. At the same
time, it allows students who are excelling
to be challenged appropriately.
Spiritual Study
Students read about the lives of biblical
heroes and examined their strengths and
shortcomings. Discussions focused on common
character traits that the biblical
characters possessed, including
perseverance, courage and faith. SOAL
leaders challenged students to consider the
values and fundamental traits that they will
need to become inspirations to their
families, leaders in the community and
successes in the workplace. As part of the
program, students participated in plays and
sketched drawings about what they had
learned.
Archeology Workshop
Professor
Ned Farley introduced SOAL students to the
fascinating world of archeology in a
two-part session. Students learned about the
study of physical geography and the historic
metropolis of Cahokia, a large
archaeological site just outside of modern
East Saint Louis.
Students also learned about the mortuary
rituals associated with an archaeological
culture that researchers named “Hopewell.”
Professor Farley asked students to ponder
the term “culture,” as they considered what
they would want to use to represent their
culture and themselves in a burial mound.
After learning about the Hopewellians, SOAL
students designed their own “HOPEwellian”
burial mounds.
Throughout the sessions, students had
hands-on time with artifacts from Wisconsin
Lutheran College. They learned to identify
fragmented examples of human bone and Middle
Woodland-Era Pottery sherds. They also
observed a demonstration of “flintknapping,”
which is the process of making stone tools.
SOAL Enrichment
Highlights
SOAL’s enrichment program was created to
expose students to a wide variety of
experiences, while providing opportunities
for them to enhance their social skills and
their ability to work with
others. Activities included a tour of the
Milwaukee Art Museum, a fine dining
experience at Bartolotta’s Lake Park Bistro,
roller coaster riding at Six Flags Great
America, a picnic lunch at Milwaukee’s
lakefront, and camping at the Kettle Moraine
State Forest.
SOAL teachers reported that one of the most
rewarding parts of the experience for them
was that each student selected a different
activity as his or her favorite. One student
wrote in her journal, “I've seen them make
s’mores on TV before. They looked really
good and I said, ‘I want to do that.’ I did
and they were so good. I want to do this
again.” Teachers also found that simple
activities can make a lasting impression.
One student enthusiastically reported that a
trip to get hot chocolate at a local coffee
shop was “the most fun I’ve ever had.”
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This program is
sponsored in
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and people like you.
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HOPEsters enjoy Six Flags.
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SOALful students
clean up Rose Park.
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