Look What's Happening @ the GSE Library

Look What's Happening @ the GSE Library

The spring Book Fair may be over, but that doesn't mean that there aren't exciting things happening in the Sonntag Library. Post-Book Fair means that the library is now buzzing with great new reads, constant check-outs, and a new round of great library lessons and read-alouds. Check out what's been happening!!

This week, Kinder Readers listened to Jennifer Sattler's hilarious read Chick 'n' Pug: The Love Pug. The Kinder readers laughed out loud as Daisy attempted to win the love of Pug (a dog who is more interested in naps). The Readers also reviewed all of the check out procedures and truly enjoyed checking out new books from the library shelves throughout this week! 

Want to check out this amazing book? Click here to find out more!  

If you are not a morning person like me, then you may be able to relate to poor Crankenstein in his next cranky adventure: Valentine's Day! 1st Grade Readers heard listened to A Crankenstein Valentine by Samantha Berger. 1st Grade Readers made predictions about what the story was about based on the cranky "Conversation Hearts" that were listed on the front end papers of the book. After the story, 1st Grade Readers checked out books and relaxed with a challenging word search. It was amazing to watch them collaborate with each other to find the hidden words!

Want to check out this amazing book? Click here to find out more! 

2nd Grade Readers enjoyed a great Texas 2x2 List book this week! There's A Lion in my Cornflakes by Michelle Robinson is a great read to use to teach the concept of "how to!" The students brainstormed ideas about what they would be willing to save up 100 coupons by eating a seemingly lifetime supply of cornflakes! The Readers were also challenged to draw these items that will be used in a display in the library soon!!

Want to check out this amazing book? Click here to find out more! 

3rd, 4th, & 5th Grade Readers went bonkers over TEK: The Modern Cave Boy. In this book, a cave boy named TEK has a love for all things technology and just can't seem to be able to put this technology down. I used this book as an opportunity to review how one should read graphic novels. Even though this is not technically a graphic novel, this readers of this book must pay attention to all of the details author/illustrator Patrick McDonnell adds that make this story hilarious. In addition, each class reviewed the importance of digital citizenship. Most importantly, however, readers learned that in order to be a smart, responsible digital citizen, they have to just plain DISCONNECT from technology ever so often! ;o)

Want to check out this amazing book? Click here to find out more!  

With the library back up and running post-Book Fair, Sonntag Makers have been flooding the library to work with our growing collection of makerspace tools!! In the picture above, a group of 4th & 5th graders collaborate to make a video on iPads using our Stikbots! 

Sonntag Readers were also encouraged to write what they love about the library using heart die-cuts. These hearts are being added to the windows of the library! 

During the weekly Preschool Story Time, Sonntag Wee Readers enjoyed two great reads: A Crankenstein Valentine & Chick 'n' Pug: The Love Pug. After they heard these great reads, the Wee Makers made a bouquet of "flowers" for their favorite Valentine!! 

NEW: Question of the Week!

Attention Sonntag Researchers! 

In an effort to get the word out about the amazing online resources Frisco ISD has available for you, the Sonntag Library has launched a new program called "Question of the Week." Sonntag researchers will be challenged to answer a question and will use the FISD online resources to find the answer. Please note that the library operates on a 2-week schedule. Therefore, a new question will be released every 2 weeks. 

It's easy to participate! All you do is click the following image to access the current question of the week. Using the MackinVia online resources, answer the question asked. A hint has even been provided to help you find the answer. 1 winner with the correct answer will be drawn. That winner will receive a prize! Happy researching!! 

Click the image below to access the current question of the week:

Click the MackinVia image below or on the sidebar of this page to access MackinVia. 

Note: You will use your unique FISD username and password to access your MackinVia account.

Battle of the Books 2K14!!!

Are you ready for a battle of LITERARY proportions????? The Sonntag Library is hosting it's first annual 'Battle of the Books' to wrap up another amazing year! Each week the students will vote on the most popular books for this school year starting with the top 16. The students will cast their votes using GoogleForms and will be able vote as many times as they would like. Each week I will announce the winners. Check out the top 16 books for this week then check back next week for the winners and the next bracket. Happy reading!

February is Overdrive Month!

If you love to read you HAVE to check out Overdrive! Frisco ISD has a growing collection of awesome eBooks and audiobooks that are FREE to download 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year!! All you need is your Frisco ISD student ID number (better known as your library number), a computer, or one of the many mobile devices that are out there (iPhone, iPod Touch, Android devices, or Kindle device). 

Want more reasons to check Overdrive out? For the month of February, every check out enters your name into a drawing for a FREE Sony eReader with a touch screen and WiFi connectivity. Wow!

Click the link below to get started! Don't forget you will need your library number to check your next great eBook out! 

(December/January Edition)

Wow!! What a winter in the Sonntag library! Even though the year is half over, the activity in the library has just begun! Students and staff members alike have been busy checking out books as well as utilizing library resources. Furthermore, Bluebonnet Readers celebrated the end of the Blubonnet Voting "season" by casting their votes to voice their favorite book from this year's list (see pictures below). In addition, the library launched the 3rd annual Six Flags Read to Succeed program, the 'Read It Forward' program, as well as a brand new 5th Grade Readers Book Club! Check out the stats below and check back for more information about the happenings in the Sonntag library for the month of February! Happy reading!! 

Check out the pictures from the Bluebonnet Voting Party 2K13!

Number of Whole Class Visits: 

December:70

January:92

Number of Total Items Circulated (Checkouts & Checkins)

December: 4,463

January: 6,487

Number of Items in Collection

12,040

Library Instruction/Programs/Community Outreach

Planned the up the 2012-2013 spring Scholastic Book Fair 

Planned and hosted the first 5th Grade Readers Book Club

Collaborated with teachers to pull library materials as well as promoted Mackin Via for a variety of classroom projects 

Launched the 3rd annual Six Flags Read to Succeed program

Launched the 'Read It Forward' program 

Planned and hosted the 2013 Bluebonnet Voting Party with elibible 3-5 graders

Conducted weekly UIL Spelling practices with the Sonntag UIL Spelling team

Moderated the Frisco ISD Libraries Reading Blog 

Promoted the 2012-2013 Texas Bluebonnet Award Program with 3-5 grades

Promoted the 2012-2013 2x2 Reading Program with Preschool-2nd grades

Presented a weekly Good Morning Sonntag Book Bits update

Updated the Where in the World Do You Read? board

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

Planned weekly preschool storytimes with future Sonntag students and families  

Hosted parent library volunteers

Hosted & promoted the Sonntag Staff Book Club for the 2012-2013 school year

Administrative Activities

Put together a Playaway order using funds acquired from the Frisco Education Foundation 

Planned the spring Scholastic Book Fair

Planned and conducted weekly UIL Spelling practices with the Sonntag UIL Spelling team

Collaborated with teachers to pull library materials as well as promoted Mackin Via for a variety of classroom projects 

Planned and launched the 3rd annual Six Flags Read to Succeed program

Planned and launched the 'Read It Forward' program 

Moderated the Frisco ISD Libraries Reading Blog 

Maintained the mobile app for the Sonntag Library

Served as a back-up standardized test administrator

Assisted staff members with the student Learning Academy 

Maintained a blog for staff to discuss book club books

Adjusted the library schedule to accommodate classes for various activities 

Contributed to Specials weekly newsletter & PTA newsletter

Purchased new library books and materials 

Updated library blog and Twitter account weekly

Planned weekly library lessons

Opened new parent accounts

Hosted new and returning library volunteers

Professional Development Activities 

Acquired my CPR recertification

Attended campus meetings

Attended district library meetings

Read and kept up with new professional library journals

On the Horizon...

The deadline for the Six Flags Read to Succed forms is on February 19th 

Sonntag staff book club meeting in March

The spring Book Fair will run from February 11th - February 15th

Weekly UIL Spelling practices for the UIL Spelling Team (Competition on February 12th)

5th Grade Readers Book Club meeting will be on Friday, March 1st 21

Introducing the MackinVIA!

With MackinVIA, it is your key to the databases that are available to FISD students. Included in the FISD subscription are EBSCO, World Book, & PebbleGO. All you need is the campus-specific username and password. Please email the Mrs. Mattei at matteie@friscoisd.org to request the username and password. Also, you can download the FREE MackinVIA app to your Apple or Android device and you will have access to these databases anytime! Click the image below to begin your research journey! 

If you would like to check out more online tools, click here or go to the "Student Resources" tab at the top of the blog. Happy researching! :)

(November Edition)

Where did November go?? November was another busy month in the Sonntag library! The month started with the closing of our fall Scholastic Book Fair. Because of the wonderful Sonntag community, the library as well as classroom libraries were able to acquire so many books for the students! Wow! In addition, 5th graders researched ecosystems using library books, encyclopedias, as well as our online databases. Kinder students also participated in a fantastic pumpkin technology project. Finally, the library played host to a Librarian & Library Aide of the Day. Check out the photos below to find out more about these amazing activities! 

Here are some of our fantastic 5th graders researching using the online databases. 

The 5th graders also used other library resources to use during their ecosystems research. 

Check out this amazing pumpkin technology project that Kinder kids participated in! 

Meet our wonderful Librarian & Librarian Aide- of - the - Day! 

Number of Whole Class Visits: 

81

Number of Total Items Circulated (Checkouts & Checkins)

2,118

Number of Items in Collection

11,969

Library Instruction/Programs/Community Outreach

Wrapped up the 2012-2013 fall Scholastic Book Fair 

Assisted and hosted all 5th grade classes during their ecosystems research

Collaborated with the technology facilitator as well a fellow librarian to create a pumpkin technology activity with the Kindergarten students 

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

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

Presented a weekly Good Morning Sonntag Book Bits update

Updated the Where in the World Do You Read? board

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 parent library volunteers

Hosted & promoted the Sonntag Staff Book Club for the 2012-2013 school year

Administrative Activities

Won a grant from the Frisco Education Foundation that will add more Playaways to the library shelves!!!! 

Wrapped up fall Scholastic Book Fair

Processed and added several new books to the library collection that were purchased using funds from the fall Book Fair

Collaborated with tech facilitator and fellow librarian to create tech-based activities for a pumpkin technology project with kindergarten students  

Planned and implemented the UIL Spelling tryouts for 3rd, 4th, & 5th graders 

Assisted the staff members in hosting the Sonntag Science Night for Sonntag families

Maintained the mobile app for the Sonntag Library

Maintained a forum for staff to discuss book club books

Adjusted the library schedule to accommodate classes for various activities 

Contributed to Specials weekly newsletter

Purchased new library books and materials 

Updated library blog and Twitter account weekly

Planned weekly library lessons

Opened new parent accounts

Hosted new and returning library volunteers

Professional Development Activities 

Attended campus meetings

Attended district library meeting

Read and kept up with new professional library journals  

On the Horizon...

Sonntag staff book club meeting in December & January 

Even more books for the library collection from the Book Fair are on their way! 
Weekly UIL Spelling practices for the UIL Spelling Team

Spring Book Fair will be in February

5th Grade book clubs are on the way

Mysterious school activity will be here soon! ;o)

Before the Thanksgiving break, the library, technology, and kindergarten staff members collaborated and hosted an AMAZING interactive technology and learning event that directly supported classroom lessons regarding pumpkins. The kindergarten students not only had the opportunity to listen to nonfiction stories about pumpkins, but they also participated in hands-on  pumpkin measurement activities as well as a wide variety of technology-centered stations around the library. The students (and staff members) had a FANTASTIC time and learned so much about this amazing fall icon. Some of the technology stations included pumpkin videos on iPod Touch devices, a Kidspiration Life Cycle activity on desktop computers, pumpkin puzzles on MacBook Airs, and MUCH more! A HUGE thank you goes out to the parent volunteers, teachers, and technology staff members who helped to make this all possible!! :)

Check out the pictures below to take a peek inside this awesome activity! 

The Sonntag library participated in the Texas Library Snapshot Day on Wednesday, October 3. The Texas Library Snapshot Day is an event that allows Texas libraries of all shapes and sizes give a glimpse into a day in the life of their programs and resources. Data was collected about the Sonntag library from the time the doors opened at 8:00 AM until the time it closed around 3:30 PM. This information was analyzed and sent to the Texas Library Association as well as Frisco ISD. The Library Snapshot Day was an eye-opening experience for the library staff because it showed how much library resources, library staff, as well as the library facility itself! Check out some of the data that was collected! Happy reading! :) 

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(Check out this panorama pic of the Sonntag library!) 

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Number of Student/Parent/Teacher Visits: 321

Number of Computer Users (Check-ins/Checkouts/Computer searches): 340

Reference Questions: 76

Circulation Stats (Number of Check-ins & Checkouts): 497

Hits to Sonntag Library Blog: 45

Number of children (ages 0-12) participating in library programs: 309

Number of adults participating in library programs: 13

Number of students served by direct librarian instruction: 148

Number of teachers supported activities & collaborative efforts: 20

Number of student participating in non-class related activities: 40

Programs held on Snapshot Day: Preschool Storytime, Parent Library Volunteers, 7 class lessons & check-out

* * * * *

We hope you have enjoyed taking a look at one day in the Sonntag library! 

Check out what just arrived in the Sonntag library!!

The library now owns 21 new playaways for the students to enjoy! Some of the new titles include Frindle, Ella Enchanted, & much more! 

Stop by the library to check them out. Happy reading! :)

- The Sonntag Library is Going Mobile! - 

Extra! Extra! Read all about it...on your Smartphone! You can take the Sonntag Library with you anywhere you go using the official Sonntag Library app! Take a peek at this nifty Web 2.0 tool:

Want to get the first official Sonntag Elementary App? Scan the QR Code below. Once you have scanned the QR Code, save the website to your home screen and you are ready to roll!

Want to take a peek at the app on your computer? Click here! 

Happy reading!! :)