A thematic teaching program and portfolio assessment were used to maintain basic academic language arts and mathematics skills during the summer for 21 elementary students placed in residential foster care settings as victims of physical and/or sexual abuse. All activities were designed around the selected theme of a safari. Students listened to and read stories about animals, read folk tales, created passports, developed a board game, wrote pop-up books, and completed thematic mathematics and writing exercises. Specific objectives were individualized for each student, and student outcomes are discussed in terms of these goals. Results indicated that objectives for maintaining academic skills were accomplished. Recommendations are provided for replicating the program. Appendices include a needs assessment survey, an outline of the curriculum, a student attitude survey, student writing samples, and pictures of the student-designed and student-built board game. (Contains 33 references.) (PB)