ROANOKE TIMES 
                      Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times

DATE: Monday, May 27, 1996                   TAG: 9605300013
SECTION: NEWSFUN                  PAGE: NF-1 EDITION: HOLIDAY 

SO!!?

When the kids in Char Murdock's second-grade class at Stewartsville Elementary School began writing to their pen pals last September, it never occurred to them that they might come face-to-face.

Writing to pen pals was an activity that Murdock's class had participated in for several years. This year, the class corresponded with second-graders in Kernersville, N.C., where Murdock's niece is in the second grade.

"Writing to our pen pals was a wonderful experience," Murdock said. "The children exchanged postcards and information about their area, so it taught them about geography, too.

"Around Christmas, I started thinking that it would be fun to meet the pen pals. The kids agreed."

And meet they did, in Martinsville several weeks ago.

The children toured the Museum of Natural History and picnicked together at a park.

Chris Harless said it was exciting to meet his pen pal, Jasper. He found they shared a fondness for football. Chris, along with Chis McNeil and Kelly Oliver, plans to continue writing to his pen pal.

Samantha West was not so sure, although she had a great time jumping rope and playing with her pen pal, a boy.

"They had a wonderful time," said Murdock. "What a way to end the year."

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