Book of the Day by Mrs. Mattei! Happy Friday!

Who doesn't love a great parade? I admit that I have watched the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade EVER year in its entirety ever since I was a little kid. I even DVR it just in case I am traveling to Thanksgiving dinner while the traditional Parade festivities are going on. Even though it's November, I discovered this amazing book within the Everybody section shelves. It's called Red, White, & Boom! by Lee Wardlaw and it talks about all of the festivities that occur in the United States on the 4th of July. I've also included the wonderful read-alike book Balloons Over Broadway: The True Story of the Puppeteer of Macy's Parade by Melissa Sweet. It's a wonderful book by a wonderful author...who will be visiting Sonntag in March! WEEE!! I hope you enjoy both reads! Happy reading! :)

Red, White, and Boom!

by Lee Wardlaw

Depicts in sing-song rhyme the various ways that the Fourth of July is celebrated and the sights and sounds of the day.

E WAR

Want to know more about the author? Click here!

Balloons Over Broadway: The True Story of the Puppeteer of Macy's Parade 

by Melissa Sweet

Tells the story of puppeteer Tony Sarg, the man who first invented the helium balloons that have become the trademark of the annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.

B SAR*

Want to know more about the author? Click here!

Want to know more about the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade? Click here!

*Balloons Over Broadway is also on the Texas Bluebonnet Award list this year! 

Do you have a WONDER?

Check out Wonderopolis!! 

The Wonderopolis widget is located in the "Student Resources" section of the blog. 

Or

Click here to go to the website! 

Happy wondering!

Want to Become a 2x2 or Bluebonnet Reader?

Do you love to read? Are you interested in finding some great reads? Then the Texas 2x2 & Texas Bluebonnet Award reading programs are for you. 

If you are a kindergartner, 1st, or 2nd grader, you can join the 2x2 reading program by reading the 20 amazing 2x2 books and completing the 2x2 Boot. If you are a 3rd, 4th, or 5th grader, please join your fellow readers and participate in the Texas Bluebonnet Award reading program. Read the books, complete 5 online Buzz forms, and join in on the voting fun in January. 

It's easy! Stop by the library to find out how YOU can join in on the fun. Follow the links to find out more! Happy reading! :)

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

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

Check out the 2013-2014 Texas 2x2 Boot:

What am I reading these days?

Howdy, Sonntag Readers!! 

I hope y'all are enjoying some amazing reads this year!! What am I reading these days? This morning I'm reading one of the 2013-2014 Texas Bluebonnet Award nominees The Humming Room by Ellen Potter. I'm LOVING IT!! If you loved the classic book The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett you will love this tale of mystery. If the story sounds familiar then you are in for a great treat since The Humming Room was inspired by The Secret Garden! I hope you enjoy!! See you soon!!

***Here's where I'm reading this morning. My little one is curled up with me and this great read!!

Where in the World Do I Read??

I just love reading to my little Emily! Tonight before she went to sleep, she learned why they hopped on pop! If you look closely you can see my kitty Spurs in the background listening, too! Happy reading! :)

WHO in the World Do You Read To??

There's a new librarian on the block! Meet Emily Mattei who was born to Mrs. Mattei on July 8, 2013! What was her first book to read? On the Night You Were Born by Nancy Tillman! Mom and baby are doing great and can't wait to take their first trip to the library this summer! 

2012-2013 Sonntag Library Statistics

(2012-2013 Edition)

It is unbelievable that the 3rd year in the life of the Sonntag Elementary School library is coming to a close. There have been so many amazing events and happenings in and around the library. Even though it's sad that the school year is ending, the 4th year in the life of this library will be absolutely amazing! If you are looking for a great summer reading program, click here to find out more. Don't forget to check out what has been going on in the library throughout this school year below. We hope you have a wonderful summer! :o)

Number of Whole Class Visits: 

843

Number of Total Items Circulated (Checkouts & Checkins)

51,665

Number of Items in Collection

12,510

Library Instruction/Programs/Community Outreach 

Planned and hosted the 2012-2013 fall and spring Scholastic Book Fairs

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

Moderated the Frisco ISD Libraries Reading Blog 

Planned and hosted the the first 5th Grade Readers Book Club

Collaborated with the technology facilitator to host a technology/library showcase with classroom teachers

Introduced the students to a variety of poems to celebrate Poetry Month

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

Hosted the 2nd annual "Sonntag Celebrates Children's Book Week" 

Hosted the 3rd annual bookmark contest 

Coached the UIL Spelling team

Attended the Frisco Public Library Storytelling Festival with 4th grade

Participated in the Texas Library Accociation's Library Snapshot Day

Promoted a variety of summer reading programs

Promoted the 2012-2013/2013-2014 Texas Bluebonnet Award Program with 3-5 grades

Promoted the 2012-2013/2013-2014 2x2 Reading Program with Preschool-2nd grades

Taught the 3rd grade students how to use  MackinVia & to be good digital citizens when finding reliable information

Promoted and facilitated the 3rd annual Six Flags Read to Succeed program

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  

Coordinated parent library volunteers

Hosted & promoted the Sonntag Staff Book Club for the 2012-2013 school year in person and online using the Sonntag Staff Book Club blog

Administrative Activities 

Planned and hosted the 2012-2013 fall and spring Scholastic Book Fairs

Gathered data and presented data to the district and state for the Texas Library Association's Library Snapshot Day 

Created a library technoloty check out station 

Moderated the Frisco ISD Libraries Reading Blog 

Planned library activites throughout the school year

Added new items to the library collection as well as weeding damaged books out of the collection

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

Maintained the mobile app for the Sonntag Library

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

Opened new parent accounts

Hosted new and returning library volunteers

Professional Development Activities 

Attended campus meetings & PTA Board meetings as the PTA Book Fair Chairperson 

Prepared and administered the STAAR testing 

Read and kept up with new professional library journals & added new materials to future book orders

Acquired my CPR re-certification

On the Horizon...

More books are on the way using profit acquired from the spring Scholastic Book Fair (Check them out in the fall!)

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