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Is it October already? The weather is still great in Fort Collins, but we usually get our first snow in October, and I'm so not ready for that! It's turning into a very busy fall at TFC. We are now settled into our new offices and moving forward on some new products and programs. I recently became involved with the Veterans Plaza of Northern Colorado project. They are hoping to raise enough funds to build an interactive memorial in Fort Collins at Spring Canyon Park. To learn more about the project, visit www.fortcollinsveteransplaza.org.
Also, please take note of my upcoming Old-Fashioned Halloween Party on Oct.29 at the Rio in Fort Collins. I'd love it if you could join us! The proceeds from the night will go toward providing School Kits for teachers on our waiting list.
Did You Know: Many concentration camp survivors spent several years living in Displaced Person camps following the Holocaust. Someone forward me this heart-warming story from one of those camps called "The Wedding Gown That Made History".
Did You Know: Halloween is only second to Christmas in holiday sales. Interestingly, people age 18-45 all spend roughly the same amount on Halloween items and people over 45 spend only slightly less. Just goes to show that you are never too old to enjoy Halloween!
Did You Know: Speaking of memorials, the Honor Flight program flies veterans to Washington D.C to visit the World War II memorial and sometimes other sites. We've had several flights leave from our area in recent years. To learn more, visit the honor flight website
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| Readers
and Writers ..................................... |
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Readers:
Recommended Reading for Young Readers:
My Home-Front Heroes novels are the only series of books about American children in World War II. There are numerous other books about all fronts of the war that I recommend for children who want to learn more. To see an ongoing Recommended WWII Reading list for students, check back on my "Recommended Reading" page under the Student section.
I'm pictured here at the Fort Collins Reads Adult Spelling Bee fundraiser with my fellow members of the Northern Colorado Writers team. The selection for 2010 is The Art of Racing in the Rain.
Click here for the Fort Collins Reads website.
This is a picture of me and Linda Sue Park, my daughter's favorite author! We both spoke at panels at the Mountains and Plains Booksellers Convention in Denver in September. Her book, When My Name Was Keoko, is one of the few children's books that highlights life for kids during World War II in Asia.
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Writers:
That Book Inside You Workshop:
New Fall Dates for my Most Popular Workshop:
Friday, October 22.
Saturday, November 20.
Workshop Description:
It all starts with an idea--a middle-of-the-night brainstorm or a concept that's been building--and you know you've got a book inside you. But how do you begin? Click here for more information on this one-day workshop and to sign up.
Teresa's Quote of the Month:
It's that simple. Books don't write themselves. Neither do short stories or essays or even poems. If writing is important to you, find the time to do it! Take a writing weekend away from the kids, get up an hour earlier each day, block off one Saturday a month to write. Write good stuff, bad stuff and everything in between. Just write!
Dialogue Tips:
I was asked recently to comment on the mechanics of writing dialogue. If you click here,, you'll see some tips
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Contact Teresa at:
Teresa Funke & Company
116 W. Harvard St., Suite 1
Fort Collins, CO 80525
Phone: 970-223-4484
Cell: 970-215-4155
Fax: 970-223-4414
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Educators
and Students
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Student Activity: Bazooka!:
Because of WWII sugar was very scarce and had to be rationed. Due to this, the production and innovation of candy was also lean. In the 1940s, a few candies were introduced that would become famous. Few though, would gain as much fame as Bazooka Bubble Gum!
The red, white and blue wrapper was symbolic of patriotism and associated itself with the history of American Sweets.
(1) True or False: Bazooka was named after the weapon bearing its namesake.
(2) True or False: Bazooka gum was named after a musical instrument.
Mind Bender:
Keep a look out each month for a mind bender. It could be some sort of activity or a trivia question. Check out the next month's newsletter for the answer. Good luck and have fun!!
Answer to Last Month's Mind Bender: 1 = John played Mozart on the Violin
2 = Nick played Bach on the Piano
3 = Kate played Mozart on the Violin
4 = Mary played Bach on the Violin
5 = Larry played Vivaldi on the Piano |
School Visits: Contact me to book an in-person or virtual school visit. Team with another school or two for reduced rates. For more information on my popular assemblies or writing workshops, contact me at trfcinfo@teresafunke.com. I'm adding some exciting new elements this year including reader's theater skits. I'm also teaming with a local actor to bring the arts more fully into your classrooms and with a local veterans' group to connect these amazing men and women with your students. |
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Educators:
A Twist on Classroom Halloween Parties:
Have an Old-Fashioned Party!
How about planning an old-fashioned Halloween party for your classroom? This is a great way for children to learn about things that children years ago did differently, as well as things they do similarly.
Pass It On:
Every month we work hard to include as much helpful information as we can for teachers, parents, homeschoolers, and students. If you like the activities you see here, please pass this newsletter on! To see our archived activities, click here. |
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| News
and Events
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Boys and Girls Club Day for Kids:
I had the pleasure of running a writing booth for Northern Colorado Writers at the Day for Kids event sponsored by the Boys and Girls Club this month. Anyone at the event could add a line to an ongoing story. Click here to read the full story.
Check out my "Events" page on my website to see where you can catch me in upcoming weeks.
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Sponsors Needed:
Read a Hero Literacy Program:
We are conducting a statewide literacy program through the Boys and Girls Club in Colorado. This Dynamic after-school program will focus on reading, writing, and history education through a six-month program. But the clubs need your help! Please contact us at tfcinfo@teresafunke.com to donate.
Great Book Giveaway for Christmas 2010:
For a second year, we'll be donating books to Realities for Children, Kids at Heart and one other organization this Christmas. If you'd like to help provide books and an inspiring author appearance to children in need, please contact us at tfcinfo@teresafunke.com |
Dancing In Combat Boots-The Performance :
Come see my popular one-woman show, Dancing in Combat Boots, on October 3 at the Senior Center in Fort Collins. Show time is 2:30 - 4:30 and will include a question and answer session and a meet-the-author reception where doughnuts and coffee will be served in honor of the Doughnut Dolly character in the show. To learn more about the performance click here. |
Halloween
Fun!
We are planning a family-friendly, Old-Fashioned Halloween Party on Oct. 29 from 6-10 pm at The Rio's Agave Room..We'll have great food, entertainment, crafts and contests. The admittance fee will go toward providing Do Your Part School Kits to teachers on our waiting list. $20 per individual, $10 for children 17 and under or $50 for families.
Watch for an invite in your email soon! Or look for details on our homepage. |
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Teresa Funke & Company provides books, programs, and resources to Readers, Writers, Teachers and Students. Teresa is a Speaker, Presenter, Writers coach and author of five books based on true stories from World War II. To learn more, please visit www.teresafunke.com |
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