THANK YOU and Spirit Week!!!!

My dearest students and their precious families,

Thank you so very much for all the Christmas presents! I really appreciate the thoughtful gifts! I can't thank you enough!!! You are all so generous! May God richly bless you and give you a relaxing Christmas vacation. Love to you all!

Love, Mrs. Mellette

ALSO.....When we come back, it'll be SPIRIT WEEK (I just found out yesterday, so sorry for the late notice!)
Tuesday - Character Day (dress like your favorite, recognizable character)
Wednesday - Twin Day (find a friend and dress the same)
Thursday - Crazy Day (dress with unmatched clothing)
Friday - School spirit day (wear blue and white)

See you NEXT YEAR!

Introducing Fanny Lapp!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k52ST0Ezxq4

Fanny Lapp

A visit from my dear friend, Fanny Lapp, took time out of her busy schedule to come share about German traditions celebrated here in Lancaster County. I was so touched that she would come - especially since she just got back from Sarasota, Florida!

Here's a little taste of Fanny reading one of her favorite stories....ENJOY!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B8_UuFgZdjE

Fanny with her "random" friends!

Frohe Weihnachten by KiYeon Kim

"Frohe Weihnachten" - that's German for "MERRY CHRISTMAS!"

These pictures reflect a Christmas tradition in Germany where children put their shoes outside their bedroom and during the night someone puts some treats in their shoes. Mrs. Mellette did a version of this tradition on Saint Nicholas Day - December 6. When we left the classroom for Music class, she had us take one of our shoes off and while we were gone, she filled our shoes with yummy treats.

To close our study of Christmas Around the World Germany style, Mrs. Mellette's "friend" Fanny Lapp came. She read about how German traditions are celebrated in Lancaster County as told in the book, Pennsylvania Dutch 'Twas the Night Before Christmas. Mrs. Horst's 2nd grade also came to hear Fanny Lapp read the book - I think because 2 of the 2nd graders know Fanny Lapp. Dear Fanny also treated us to Shoofly-Cake...delicious.

Pictures will be comin'!

-KiYeon Kim (and Mrs. Mellette)

Catching Up on Pictures!

Our week before Thanksgiving vacation was very busy. Here's a snippet of some of the exciting things we did. Here 5th graders are reading to 3rd graders.

The Castronova sisters read together inside the reading tent!

Practicing reading with expression AND confidence!

So engaged and excited about reading!!!!

Our JUNKYARD WONDERS groups and their creations...

A small, but mighty group

Daniel and the girls...

The largest group....

Thanksgiving Craft Time!!!!

Creating felt placemats!

Great creativity going on here!

And, then....on to the Thanksgiving party!

So much to be thankful for!!!

I'm so thankful for my 5th grade class!

Weekend Homework

Social Studies: Denmark - Bring Decorated Christmas Bag with Dessert on Monday.

Bible: December’s memory verse (Due: 12/22) 1 John 5:5 Who is the one who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?

Reading: Read 300 minutes (20 minutes each weekday for 3 weeks) by 12/22

Spanish: Study for test and color a worksheet

Secret Santa: Write a kind note, draw a picture or a small gift to your Secret Santa

Yesterday's Field Trip by Caleb Heck

Yesterday we had a field trip to Longwood Gardens. We arrived there at about 9:30. We saw a short movie then we set out to begin wondering around the area. My group hit the tree houses first. They were humongous - we played in them for a while then left. My favorite part of the field trip was probably the conservatory, it had tons of plants and there was even a little place for kids to hang out. We did a scavenger hunt and it was fun. My favorite plant or tree was the Bonsai tree - it was awesome. The field trip was fun and would consider going back at night to see all the light and water displays.

Service Project at GBC

Never slacking Mrs. Beck

Too much fun first graders

Rake Models

5th grade friends

Okay, is there any pregnant teacher as cute as Mrs. Herr?

Even Mrs. Brobst got in on the raking fun

Raking at Greenview Bible Camp

Raking?

RAKING
and
Too Cute Castronova

Got Lettuce?

Hot Chocolate Break

Celebrating Mister Josh's BIRTHDAY!

Mrs. Horst and the other Morgan!

Yummy! LUNCH!

Can we do this every Friday?

Hayride FUN!

Can you spot Troy and Morgan Joy?