Every Friday afternoon, the cozy hum of “coffee house” music drifts through Mrs. Alisse Auchenbach’s fourth-grade classroom at Owatin Creek, signaling the start of one of her students’ favorite weekly traditions: Coffee House.

Before the lesson begins, Mrs. Auchenbach dims the lights, projects a glowing outdoor fire pit onto her Smartboard, and invites her students to take a deep breath and reflect on their week. “I ask them to think about all of the great things that happened in school and everything they’ve accomplished,” she said. Then, with pencils in hand, students pour their thoughts onto paper, stir in a little creativity, and share something warm with their families—one letter at a time.

But Coffee House is more than just a moment of calm—it’s a rich, skill-based writing lesson. Each week, students practice writing a proper letter from start to finish beginning with capitalization and an introductory sentence, building body paragraphs with supporting details and transition words, and ending with a thoughtful closing and signature. Additionally, every letter must be written in cursive.

The activity, which Mrs. Auchenbach began this year, allows her to reinforce key grammar and writing concepts taught throughout the week while also teaching something much deeper. “I want them to build writing stamina and rediscover the joy of writing by hand,” she explained. “Letter writing is such a lost art. It takes time, thought and care—things we don’t often practice in our digital world.”

The inspiration for Coffee House came from home. When her own son was in fourth grade, he participated in a similar activity—and she remembers how meaningful it was to receive his weekly letters. “As a parent, I loved getting those updates,” she said. “It made me feel connected to what he was doing in school. I wanted my students’ parents to have that same experience.”

And, of course, no coffee house would be complete without a sweet treat as students wrap up each session with a small pastry, like a seasonal cookie, as they share smiles and stories. The result is a lesson that feels both peaceful and purposeful--and one where learning brews alongside reflection, and tradition blends with creativity.