(2011-2012 Edition)

I cannot believe that the school year is about to come to a close! It has been such a busy year in the Sonntag library. It's hard to believe that it is almost time to say goodbye to our wonderful 5th graders. Even though the year is coming to a close, summer reading is just heating up. Click here to find out more information about some amazing summer reading programs. Also, check out the library statistics from the 2011-2012 school year. I hope you have a wonderful summer and feel free to stop by the blog throughout the summer. Happy summer and happy reading! :)

Number of Whole Class Visits: 

833

Number of Total Items Circulated (Checkouts & Checkins)

46,742

Number of Items in Collection

11,943

Library Instruction/Programs/Community Outreach

Conducted a storytime at the FISD Child Development Center

Promoted a variety of summer reading programs 

Hosted Sonntag Celebrates Children's Book Week in the month of May

Helped staff to run field day

Collaborated with 1st & 2nd grade teams for their author and fairy tale studies 

Assisted in 5th grade ecosystems research

Assisted in 3rd grade Arctic research

Hosted the 2nd annual Librarian-a-la-Cart for students before STAAR testing

Hosted UIL Spelling practices & attended UIL competition in February

Promoted the 2011-2012 Texas Bluebonnet Award Program with 3-5 grades

Facilitated the Six Flags Read to Succeed reading program

Promoted the 2011-2012 2x2 Reading Program with Preschool-2nd grades

Presented a weekly Good Morning Sonntag Book Bits update

Maintained student writer & new items displays to promote reading interests 

Updated a daily Fact of the Day by Mrs. Mattei fact

Open checkout every day for all Sonntag students, parents, and staff

Weekly preschool storytimes with future Sonntag students and families 

Hosted 4th grade students as library helpers 

Hosted parent library volunteers

Created and facilitated staff book club meetings

Administrative Activities

Completed yearly library inventory

Participated in creating an opening day collection for the 3 new elementary schools

Cataloged and checked in new library materials

Helped 5th grade teacher with here playaway order using grant funds

Maintained the mobile app for the Sonntag Library

Facilitated the Six Flags Read to Succeed reading program

Coordinated 2 Scholastic Book Fairs and served as the PTA Book Fair Chairperson

Served as a STAAR testing monitor 

Maintained a forum for staff to discuss book club books

Attended PTA Board meetings

Represented the Specials team at Chick-fil-A spirit night in February

Adjusted the library schedule to accommodate classes before and after STAAR testing

Attended and facilitated a booth at the Sonntag Science Night

Collaborated with a 4th grade teacher to create leveled book browsing boxes for their classrooms

Contributed to Specials weekly newsletter

Contributed an article for the PTA newsletters

Purchased new library books and materials (using Book Fair profits)

Processed new library books acquired during Scholastic Book Fair

Updated library blog and Twitter account weekly

Planned weekly library lessons

Ordered dedication books

Opened new parent accounts

Hosted new and returning library volunteers

Professional Development Activities 

Attended campus professional development

Attended campus staff meetings

Attended district library meetings

Attended campus Site Based meetings

Planned professional development for district librarians and teachers 

Registered for professional development at Region 10 

Attended the American Library Association Midwinter Conference Exhibit event in Dallas

Read and kept up with new professional library journals 

On the Horizon...

Check out some amazing summer reading programs from around the communities of Frisco & Mckinney! Click here! 

Are you looking for some great summer reading programs? Check out what's going on around the town with some great summer reading programs offered by the Sonntag Library, Frisco ISD Libraries, Frisco Public Library, the McKinney Public Library, Scholastic, and Barnes & Noble. Happy reading! :) 

Stop by the Sonntag library any time this week to pick up your summer reading log. If you read 10 books this summer, add the titles of the books to your log. Don't forget to return your completed log to the library in August. Students who turn in a completed log will receive a brand new book! 

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Want to join in on some great book conversations with other students throughout the summer? Check out the Love Your Library blog hosted by the librarians of Frisco ISD. Please be sure to read the comment policies on the left side of the blog before you add your comments. Click here to learn more!

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(Image retrieved from www.friscolibrary.com)

Want to learn more about the summer happenings at the Frisco Public Library? Click here!

Check out this awesome summer reading trailer brought to you by the Frisco Public Library! 

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Want to learn more about the summer programs at the McKinney Public Library? Click here!

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Want to learn more about the Scholastic Summer Challenge as well as how you can participate in a reading world record? Click here! 

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Want to learn more about the summer reading programs at your local Barnes & Noble as well as print off a summer reading log? Click here!

This week the Sonntag students will celebrate Children's Book Week! There are fun activities planned for students and teachers to enjoy. Students will not only get to visit the library for a special, grade-specific read-aloud but they will also have the opportunity to read outside, participate in drawings for new books, as well as hear a mystery book read by me, Mrs. Mattei, during "Mrs. Mattei's Masterpiece Theater!" 

Today's Sonntag Celebrates Children's Book Week activities included the announcement of the 2nd annual bookmark contest winners as well as "Read Across Sonntag." The students truly enjoyed these activities. Check out the winners of the bookmark contest:

The winners of the bookmark contest received a brand new book, bookmark, as well as had their original bookmark creations copied for the students across Sonntag. Also, check out some pictures from "Read Across Sonntag:" 

Happy reading! :) 

Welcome to day 10 and the final day of the Texas Bluebonnet Award & 2x2 reading list showcase!  If you need a copy of either reading list for your summer reading, please follow the links! Happy reading! :)

Texas Bluebonnet Award (Grades 3-5): Click here!

2x2 (Preschool - 2nd Grade): Click here!

Play, Louis, Play! The True Story of a Boy and His Horn

by Muriel Harris Weinstein

Recounts the childhood of Louis Armstrong in New Orleans from the perspective of his horn.

Want to know more about Play, Louis, Play!? Click here!

Escape Under the Forever Sky 

by Eve Yohalem 

Lucy's mother, the U.S. Ambassador to Ethiopia, keeps Lucy confined to the embassy, but Lucy's desire to see what is beyond the compound walls gets her kidnapped and she must rely upon her knowledge and courage in order to escape.

Want to know more about author Eve Yohalem? Click here!

Want to know more about Escape Under the Forever Sky? Click here! 

Check out this amazing book trailer! 

Edwin Speaks Up

by April Stevens

A family of ferrets takes a trip to the grocery store where mom has trouble keeping up with the groceries, the cart, and the kids, but baby Edwin could help if he could just get someone to listen to his advice. Want to know more about Edwin Speaks Up? Click here!

The Cazuela That the Farm Maiden Stirred

by Samantha R. Vamos

A cumulative tale of a farm maiden who, aided by a group of animals, prepares "Arroz con Leche," or rice pudding. Includes recipe and glossary of the Spanish words that are woven throughout the text.

Want to know more about author Samantha R. Vamos? Click here! 

Want to know more about The Cazuela That the Farm Maiden Stirred? Click here! 

Welcome to day 9 of the Texas Bluebonnet Award & 2x2 reading list showcase!  If you need a copy of either reading list for your summer reading, please follow the links! Happy reading! :)

Texas Bluebonnet Award (Grades 3-5): Click here!

2x2 (Preschool - 2nd Grade): Click here!

Postcards from Camp

by Simms Taback

A young boy named Michael writes letters back and forth with his father about his experiences at camp, explaining how much he does not like camp in the beginning and sharing how much fun he is having as time passes. Includes several envelopes with removable letters.

Want to know more about author Simms Taback? Click here!

Want to know more about Postcards from Camp? Click here!

EllRay Jakes is Not a Chicken

by Sally Warner

Eight-year-old EllRay Jakes's attempts to defend himself against the class bully always end up getting him in trouble, but he promises to do his best when his dad offers to take him to Disneyland if he can be good for an entire week--which may be a few days too long.

Want to know more about author Sally Warner? Click here!

Want to know more about EllRay Jakes? Click here!

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Goodnight, Goodnight Construction Site

by Sherri Duskey Rinker

At sunset, when their work is done for the day, a crane truck, a cement mixer, and other pieces of construction equipment make their way to their resting places and go to sleep. Want to know more about author Sherri Duskey Rinker? Click here! Want to know more about Goodnight, Goodnight Construction Site? Click here! Blackout by John Rocco

During an urban blackout, the residents of a city rediscover the joys of simply spending time together without the trappings of modern technology.

Want to know more about author John Rocco? Click here!

Want to know more about Blackout? Click here! 

Welcome to day 8 of the Texas Bluebonnet Award & 2x2 reading list showcase!  If you need a copy of either reading list for your summer reading, please follow the links! Happy reading! :)

Texas Bluebonnet Award (Grades 3-5): Click here!

2x2 (Preschool - 2nd Grade): Click here!

Scarum Fair

by Jessica Swaim

A collection of spooky, illustrated poems for children that describe the ghouls, goblins, and other creepy creatures that haunt the rides at the Scarum Fair. Want to know more about author Jessica Swaim? Click here! Want to know more about Scarum Fair? Click here! Hot Diggity Dog: The History of the Hot Dog by Adrienne Sylver

Explores the history of the hot dog and how it came to be a part of American culture. 

Want to know more about author Adrienne Sylver? Click here!

Want to know more about Hot Diggity Dog? Click here!

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That's How!

by Christoph Niemann

A very imaginative boy answers a girl's questions about how different kinds of vehicles work. 

Want to know more about author Christoph Niemann? Click here!

Want to know more about That's How!? Click here! 

Stars

by Mary Lyn Ray

Stars are everywhere, not just in the sky, and with a little imagination children can learn to find stars all around them.

Want to know more about author Mary Lyn Ray? Click here!

Want to know more about Stars? Click here! 

Welcome to day 7 of the Texas Bluebonnet Award & 2x2 reading list showcase!  If you need a copy of either reading list for your summer reading, please follow the links! Happy reading! :)

Texas Bluebonnet Award (Grades 3-5): Click here!

2x2 (Preschool - 2nd Grade): Click here!

Aliens on Vacation

by Clete Barrett Smith

Scrub arrives at his grandmother's Washington bed-and-breakfast only to discover she has opened the doors to aliens that arrive through off-Earth portals, and he must decide what to do when the local sheriff, already suspicious of Granny, notices some of the kids Scrub is chaperoning at a campout glow in the dark.

Want to know more about author Clete Barrett Smith? Click here!

Want to know more about Aliens on Vacation? Click here!

Like Pickle Juice on a Cookie

by Julie Sternberg

When nine-year-old Eleanor's beloved babysitter Bibi moves away to care for her ailing father, Eleanor must spend the summer adjusting to a new babysitter while mourning the loss of her old one.

Want to know more about author Julie Sternberg? Click here!

Want to know more about Like Pickle Juice on a Cookie? Click here! 

Check out this video with author Julie Sternberg!

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Same, Same but Different

by Jenny Sue Kosteciki-Shaw

Pen pals Elliott and Kailash discover that even though they live in different countries--America and India--they both love to climb trees, own pets, and ride school buses.

Want to know more about author Jenny Sue Kostecki-Shaw? Click here!

Want to know more about Same, Same but Different? Click here!

Me...Jane

by Patrick McDonnell

Holding her stuffed toy chimpanzee, young Jane Goodall observes nature, reads Tarzan books, and dreams of living in Africa and helping animals. Includes biographical information on the prominent zoologist.

Want to know more about author Patrick McDonnell? Click here!

Want to know more about Me...Jane? Click here!

Want to know more about Jane Goodall? Click here!

Welcome to day 6 of the Texas Bluebonnet Award & 2x2 reading list showcase!  If you need a copy of either reading list for your summer reading, please follow the links! Happy reading! :)

Texas Bluebonnet Award (Grades 3-5): Click here!

2x2 (Preschool - 2nd Grade): Click here!

Ruth & the Green Book 

by Calvin Ramsey

When Ruth and her parents take a motor trip from Chicago to Alabama to visit her grandma, they rely on a pamphlet called "The Negro Motorist Green Book" to find places that will serve them. Includes facts about "The Green Book."

Want to know more about author Calvin Ramsey? Click here!

Want to know more about Ruth and the Green Book? Click here!

Wonderstruck

by Brian Selznick

Relates the stories of twelve-year-old Ben, who loses his mother and his hearing in a short time frame and decides to leave his Minnesota home in 1977 to seek the father he has never known in New York City; and Rose, who lives with her father but feels compelled to search for what is missing in her life. Ben's story is told in words; Rose's in pictures. Want to know more about author Brian Selznick? Click here! Want to know more about Wonderstruck? Click here! Check out this awesome book trailer featuring author Brian Selznick:

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Red Sled

by Lita Judge

At night, a host of woodland creatures play with a child's red sled. 

Want to know more about author Lita Judge? Click here!

Want to know more about Red Sled? Click here!

I Want My Hat Back

by Jon Klassen

When Bear loses his hat, he patiently asks the animals he comes across if they have seen it, and just as he is about to give up his search, a deer helps him remember exactly where he left his beloved hat.

Want to know more about author Jon Klassen? Click here!

Want to know more about I Want My Hat Back? Click here!

Check out this awesome book trailer!