Currently in July

Okay, it's now Monday. I know three posts in a few hours isn't following blog rules, but hey - when the internet is sorta cooperating, you go with it...

Listening - Yes, I'm in AZ. It is crazy hot right now (as I know it is practically everywhere else in the country!). It is too hot to even go swimming - the pool water feels like bath water!

Loving - Sleeping in. I'm a night owl at heart, but I don't have the luxury during the school year to stay up late. So my summer nights are late nights!

Thinking - Our house is a work in progress. I can't seem to get a complete vision for what I want - and so things go unfinished, which makes me NUTS!

Wanting - Ohhhh, am I ever excited for my Amazon order! I just ordered several series of books for my classroom. I've read the first in each, but can't wait to read each series before I put them in my classroom library! Ender's Game, The Amulet, The Sisters Eight, The City of Ember, plus some new markers and gel pens for me!

Needing - We spent the day deep cleaning, and oooh my back is sore. I need a massage. Stat.

Reads - One of my favorite read alouds is The Man Who Walked Between the Towers. Students love the story - and it helps to keep 9/11 a current topic - without getting in the gruesome details that aren't mine to share with 9-year-olds...

The Book Whisperer. Need I say more? If you haven't read it - read it! I read it near the end of the school year, and in the few short weeks I had left with my kids, I was able to turn things around in our classroom. I love reading - and want my kids to love it, too!

I can't wait to see what everyone is up to this month!

-Dawn

Is it cheating...?

My internet connection has been anything but reliable lately, so I decided to post my Monday Made It - even though it's not quite done and it's not quite Monday. That's not cheating, right? :) So....here is my (almost finished) Monday Made It. (This post took an hour. That is ridiculous. I need the internet fairies to fix this. Pronto.)

Go visit Tara at 4th Grade Frolics to see what everyone else is up to this week!

I was inspired by Kristen over at Ladybug's Teacher Files to create some round labels. I have a labeling obsession, a polka dot obsession, and a circle obsession. Kristen's blog is like crack to me... 

I've created quite a few round labels for my classroom. I'm sharing them here, today, since I'd love to see at least one other person get use out of them. I printed them on bright blue cardstock, and they look great! Once I figure out my circle cutter, I'll post again. If you would like a copy, just click here. Let me know if they're useful to you!

Here is a preview:

Happy Monday, everyone!

-Dawn

This must be a record...

One post in, and I've received an award. Ha. It must be my sparkling comments on other people's blogs that got me this one. :)


Thanks to Tonya over at Tonya's Treats for Teachers for nominating me for The Versatile Blogger award!

Here are the rules for this award:

1. Thank the blogger who nominated you.

Thanks, Tonya! I know I will learn a lot about blogging from you!

2. Include a link to their site.

Tonya's Treats for Teachers - visit if you haven't!

3. Include the award image in your post.

Got it. :)

4. Give seven random facts about yourself.

Enjoy...

1. I am the oldest of two girls. My sister and I fought like crazy when we were kids, but now we are great friends.

2. I am entering my ninth year of teaching in August.

3. I taught 2nd grade for three years, 3rd grade for four years, and just finished my first year in 4th grade - maybe I'll make it five years in this grade? :)

4. I have lived in three states - MN, AZ, and FL. I think CA is next. I love San Diego!

5. Starting my own blog took a HUGE leap of faith. I have no idea what I'm doing. Any tips are appreciated...

6. I love to read, but I buy waaaay too many books. I think my brain is convinced I've read a book just because I own it. (I know that's not true, and I'm always plugging through my new stacks!)

7. I love crafting, but I feel like I am better at copying/modifying other people's ideas. Pinterest and teacher blogs have given me quite a bit of inspiration!

The other rules are:

5-7. Nominate 15 other bloggers, link to their sites, and let them know they've received the award.

Okay, just about everyone I checked got this one. I'm not making anyone do it twice. You're all amazing, in my book. :)

That's it for today. I'm having internet challenges this week, so I haven't been able to post anything all week. I've also had crafting tool challenges (I can't for the life of me cut out a printed circle with my new circle cutter!), so I don't know that I'll have anything ready for tomorrow's Monday Made It. Sigh. I will, however, be checking out everyone else's posts.

Happy Sunday!

-Dawn