Circus

CIRCLE TIME

Circle time is ideal for getting children to exercise. Use this time to introduce the week's theme: the circus. Play the role of the animal trainer. Children are the circus animals. Here are suggestions of thematic exercises. Have children stand and walk together in the same direction around your circle time area. Name a few circus animals. Say, "You are tigers." Children crawl about like tigers. Say, "You are elephants." Children walk slowly and heavily, stretching out their arms and legs to make themselves as wide as possible. Next, state, "You are beautiful horses." Have them walk holding their head up high, arms alongside their body. When children are used to the game, have them jump through hoops, raise one leg, etc. Variation: Once children understand the game, give each child a different circus animal to represent. Your circle can have a horse, a tiger, an elephant, etc., all at the same time. 

Make your own “speaker hat”

You can simply use any basic hat that you already have on hand and glue circus-related items all over it. Hide items associated with a circus throughout your daycare and invite children to search for them and set them in a basket in the middle of your circle time area. Use the items to introduce your theme.

To greet children in the morning, play circus music and speak like a circus director. If possible, use a microphone.

During circle time, turn the lights off to make your daycare as dark as possible. Use a projector to light up a child’s face and indicate that it is his turn to speak.

Give each child a small figurine representing a circus animal (elephant, monkey, dog, lion, seal, etc.). Invite them to name various actions their animal could perform in a circus act. If children are restless, they can act out the suggested actions for a few minutes.  

AREA SETUP

Thematic poster-Circus

(Open thematic poster-Circus) Print and display within your daycare to introduce the theme. 

Educa-theme-Circus

(Open educa-theme-Circus) Print and laminate the elements representing the theme. Use them to present the theme to your group while decorating your daycare.

Educa-decorate-Circus
(Open educa-decorate-Circus) Print, laminate, and cut out. Decorate your walls with the illustrations or hang some from the ceiling to set the mood for the theme.

Interactive planning-Circus

(Open interactive planning-Circus) Enter your planned activities directly in the document, print it, and add it to your activity planning binder or display it for parents to see.

Create a circus-themed corner

Set exercise mats on the floor for trapezists. Children will enjoy performing all kinds of acrobatics on them throughout the theme. Add scarves and balls for juggling along with hula hoops, makeup, clown costumes, hats, costumes, a mirror, clown noses, etc. 

Cut several long strips (approximately 4 meters) of fabric in different colors. Knot one end of each strip of fabric around a hula hoop. Hang the hula hoop from the ceiling in a corner of your daycare, for example in your naptime area or in your circle time area. Wrap invisible thread around each strip of fabric, approximately 2 meters from the hula hoop. Attach the other end of each piece of invisible thread to the ceiling with tape or adhesive putty to represent a circus tent. If you prefer, simply hang your parachute from the ceiling.

Glue 2 red curtains on a wall, leaving a few feet between them to create a scene. Glue yellow Fun Foam stars on the curtains. Cut large letters out of red Fun Foam to write “CIRCUS” and press them on the wall, above the curtains. Set a few round bins upside down on the floor and press flags (triangles cut out of construction paper) all the way around them, with the tip pointing downwards to represent platforms that animals can strike various poses and perform different tricks on. Inflate black balloons and attach them to the ends of broomsticks that you have wrapped with black electrical tape to create barbells that can be included in various circus acts.  

WRITING ACTIVITIES

(Open writing activities-C like circus) Print for each child or laminate for use with a dry-erase marker. 

ACTIVITY SHEETS

Activity sheets are suggested for each theme. Print and follow instructions. (Open activity sheets-Circus)

Fine motor skills activity sheet
(Open fine motor skills activity sheet-Circus) Print and follow instructions to put little hands to work.

VARIOUS CIRCUS WORKSHOPS

Here are a few workshop ideas for this theme.

Building blocks - Construction area: Blanket or parachute to create a large tent.

Role Play: Trains, animals, costumes

Manipulation: Pictures, memory games, animal or clown puzzles

Arts & Crafts: Modeling dough with animal-shaped cookie cutters

Reading: Circus-themed picture books or animal stories

Music and movement: Hoops, scarves, balls, whistle, microphone

PICTURE GAME

The pictures may be used as a memory game or to spark a conversation with the group. Use them to decorate your daycare or a thematic corner. (Open picture game-Circus) Print, laminate, and store in a "Ziploc" bag or in your thematic bins.

LANGUAGE ACTIVITIES

Word flashcards-Circus
The flashcards may be used to spark a conversation with your group, in your reading and writing area, or even to identify your thematic bins. (Open word flashcards-Circus) (Open giant word flashcards-Circus) tent, clown, acrobat, magician, juggler, lion, elephant, trampoline, unicycle, stilts, tightrope walker, grandstand.

Educa-chatterbox-Circus

(Open educa-chatterbox-Circus) Print and laminate the cards. To create your chatterbox, you will need an empty shoebox or a small bin that you can decorate as you see fit. Fill it with tiny objects, illustrations, pictures, and accessories related to your theme. To help you, we have created a series of cards that you may use. During circle time or, for example, when children are waiting for their lunch, have them take turns picking a card or object out of your chatterbox and naming the corresponding item.

MORAL AND SOCIAL ACTIVITIES

Clown race

For this activity, you will need colorful adult shoes that children can easily slip their feet into. Think, for example, of gardening clogs. Tell children they are clown shoes! They must wear the clown shoes for a race. They will quickly realize that running with such big shoes is quite challenging. Organize a variety of races or encourage children to complete an obstacle course. They mustn’t lose their clown shoes! If you wish, you may also invite children to dance while wearing their clown shoes.

Circus-themed physical challenges

(Open circus challenges) Print, laminate, and cut out the cards. Invite children to take turns picking a card to determine which circus-themed challenge they must attempt to succeed as a group.

Clownish toss game

For this activity, you will need a large piece of white cardboard. Draw 2 enormous clown eyes, a big red clown nose, and a large red clown mouth. Cut the center of the eyes, nose, and mouth out. Glue your clown face on a large cardboard box that is set on its side. Children will love attempting to toss bean bags or small colorful balls through the openings.

Tiny « balloon » creations

Here, you will need green grapes and toothpicks. Encourage children to imagine the grapes are balloons and show them how they can use the toothpicks to assemble them and represent, among other things, balloon dogs like the ones clowns create for children attending the circus.

Crazy clown noses

For this game, you will need several soft red balls. If you don’t have enough balls, you can crumple balls of red paper to represent clown noses. Divide your group into 2 teams and draw a line on the floor, dividing your playing area into 2 equal sections. Give the same number of balls to each team. When you give the signal, children from each team must try to throw all their balls into the other team’s playing area. Use a timer and when it rings, count the balls in each team’s space. The winning team will be the one that has the fewest clown noses on its side.

Modeling dough activity placemats-Circus

(Open modeling dough activity placemats-Circus) Print and laminate. Let children pick a placemat and provide modeling dough. Encourage them to use the dough to fill or reproduce the shapes that are on their placemat.

Massage
Children sit two by two. Place mats on the floor. One child lies on the mat on his stomach. The other child uses a ball to massage his back. Play relaxing music throughout the activity.

Makeup
Provide children with makeup pencils and mirrors. Let children paint their own faces to resemble circus animals or clowns.

MOTOR SKILLS

Stilts
Make your own stilts using metal cans. Punch two holes on either side of each can, near the bottom. Measure a piece of rope so it is the appropriate length for children. Thread one end of the rope into each hole and secure with a knot. To walk on stilts, children stand on the cans, holding the rope in their hands. It's not easy, children will need practice! (Verify that the edge of the can is not sharp, add masking tape for extra protection.)

Lions
Have lions jump through hoops. This activity may be done indoors or outdoors. Children stand single file and hop, one at a time, through a hoop you are holding for them. Once all have had a turn, raise the hoop. Add words of encouragement such as, "Come, my beautiful lions!" Continue raising the hoop, then alternate between high and low.

Elephant trainer
One child plays the role of the trainer and stands with his back to the rest of the group at the opposite end of the daycare. The rest of the children are elephants who move in a line towards their trainer. From time to time, the trainer turns around. The elephants must immediately freeze. If an elephant moves, the trainer names him, and the child must sit down until the next round.

Tightrope walker
Stretch a long rope out on the floor. Invite children to imagine the rope is high up in the air. Children walk barefoot on the rope. They mustn't put their two feet beside the rope if they do not want to fall! There are different ways to walk on the rope. Have them walk backwards, hop on the rope, and crawl on the rope.

COGNITIVE ACTIVITIES

Counting circus tickets

(Open counting circus tickets) Print, laminate, and cut out the cards. Give a card to each child. Children take a roll of tickets (for raffles) and tear off a set of tickets, per the number shown on their card. For example, if a child sees “7” on his card, he should tear off a section containing 7 tickets. Next, encourage children to separate the tickets one by one, counting them as they go. Each child can set his separated tickets on his card. As a group, count each set of tickets to verify children’s work.

Counting circus story

(Open counting circus story) Print a book for each child and invite them to color the illustrations before assembling the pages. You will need round adhesive circles (primary colors, the ones used to write prices on items for garage sales). Read one page at a time. Children must add the correct number of adhesive circles to each page, per the text.

Count and assemble clown

(Open count and assemble clown) Print and laminate the game. Children roll the die and add a piece per the number shown using Velcro or adhesive putty. The first child who completes his clown wins. The game can end as soon as a child completes his clown or continue until everyone’s clown has been fully assembled.

Educ-trace-Circus

(Open educ-trace-Circus) Print for each child. Children trace the dotted lines using the corresponding colors.

Educ-association-Circus

(Open educ-association-Circus) Print and laminate for each child. Children must observe the hats and bow ties and draw a line connecting those that have the same designs and colors.

Coloring hunt and seek

(Open coloring hunt and seek-Circus) Print. Children must find the items hidden in the scene and color them using the correct color.

Silly face

(Open silly face-Circus) Print, cut out, and laminate. Children must reproduce the clown face using the model and shapes.

Numbered puzzles-Circus

(Open numbered puzzles-Circus) Print, laminate, and cut out. Children must arrange the puzzle pieces in numerical order to complete the scenes.

Pompom clown

(Open pompom clown) Print and cut out the clown. Display it on a wall and press adhesive paper over it, with the sticky portion towards you. Fill a bin with different colors of pompoms. Children take turns picking a pompom out of the bin and pressing it in a section of the corresponding color. Encourage them to name the color of each pompom. If you wish, you may use a die to determine how many pompoms children are to add at a time.

Popcorn game

(Open popcorn game) Print and laminate the popcorn bags. Set the bags face down on the floor. Have a child pick a bag and count the popcorn kernels.

Educ-puzzle – Circus

(Open educ-puzzle-Circus) Print and laminate for durable, eco-friendly use. Encourage children to set the different pieces in the correct squares. 

Educa-duo-Circus
(Open educa-duo-Circus) Print and laminate for durable, eco-friendly use. Children must use a dry-erease marker to draw a line between items that go together.

Educ-shadows-Circus
(Open educ-shadows-Circus) Print and laminate for durable, eco-friendly use. Children must draw a line connecting each item in the column on the left to its shadow using a dry-erase marker.

Educ-math-Circus
(Open educ-math-Circus) Print and laminate for durable, eco-friendly use. Children must count the objects in each rectangle and circle the correct number.

Circus memory game
(Open memory game-Circus) Print cards twice. The cards may be laminated or put in small "Ziploc" bags to protect them. Place cards face down on the floor. One at a time, children pick two cards. If they match, they keep the cards and play again. If the cards do not match, they must replace the cards. Their turn is over.

EARLY SCIENCE

Balance
Build a tower of objects or have children walk while balancing an object on their head.

CULINARY ACTIVITIES

You be the judge of how sweet you will go depending on the age group under your care. At the circus, there are sweets galore! Small bags of popcorn, candy apples, cotton candy, and sausages are examples of treats you can enjoy. Try turning your kitchen area into a sweet treats canteen. Children can choose their favourite item!

Clown pizza lunch

Prepare a round pizza for each child. Create a clown face using vegetables for eyes, a nose, and a mouth. Add spaghetti for the clown's hair.

Clown surprise

For each child, put one scoop of ice cream in a bowl. Add an upside down cone on top of the scoop. Have children create their clown faces (the scoop) using small candy.

ARTS & CRAFTS

Clown balloon
(Open clown balloon) Print for each child and help them inflate a balloon. Have them transform and decorate their balloon to represent a clown by gluing the different pieces on it…from head to toe!

My miniautre clown
(Open my miniature clown) Print, cut out, and color the pieces. Press them on toilet paper rolls to create miniature clowns. Hang the clowns created by children from the ceiling.

Jiggly clown
(Open jiggly clown) Print for each child. Cut the various pieces with the children in your group and encourage them to decorate the items using markers. Assemble the pieces using fasteners to create jiggly clowns.

Clown mask
You will need a paper plate for each child. Cut 2 openings for eyes. Have children decorate their plate to represent a clown face using construction paper, Fun Foam, fabric, yarn, etc.

Hat model
(Open model - Circus hat) Print and trace on coloured cardboard. Have children cut out and decorate their circus hats. Measure children's heads and staple closed.

Clown nose
Provide children with Styrofoam balls to paint and decorate with sparkles. Thread string on a needle and push it through the ball. Tie each child’s clown nose behind his head.

COLORING PAGES

(Open coloring pages theme-Circus) Print for each child.

ACTIVITY SHEET

(Open activity sheets-Clown face) Print the face outline. Children add the expression of their choice.

SONGS & RHYMES

The Circus

By: Patricia Morrison
(No particular tune)

1 elephant wearing a hat
2 lions, very big cats
3 monkeys, making us laugh
4 clowns with noses so red
5 acrobats flying in the air

1, 2, 3, 4, 5...the circus is live!

Have you ever seen a circus?

By: Patricia Morrison
Sung to: Have you ever seen a lassie?

Have you ever seen a circus, a circus, a circus
Have you ever seen a circus
Oh, what a show

With lions and tigers and horses and acrobats
Have you ever seen a circus
Oh, what a show

COMPLIMENTARY ACTIVITY: A DAY AT THE CIRCUS

A day at the circus

(by: Joanne Arsenault)

Material:

Makeup, costumes, jumping rope, hoola hoops, balls, soft balls, mats, balance beam, balancing pole, parachute, ribbons and balloons for decorating, musical instruments. Use a parachute to create a big top. Decorate with ribbons, streamers, and balloons. Create a balance beam with a 2 x 4 and cover it with red adhesive tape. Cover a long stick with red adhesive tape too. Use it as a balancing pole. Children can walk like tightrope walkers. Provide mats for clowns and acrobats. Lion tamers can make use of the hoola hoops.

Set the stage:

Emily was going to spend the day at the circus with her friends. When they arrived, they were told that all six clowns were sick and that they could not be in the show. Emily and her friends thought that, if they practiced, they could be the clowns in the next day's show.

INTERVENTION GUIDELINES

For creative representation:

• Children use makeup and costumes to dress up as clowns
• Children create animal or clown masks
• Children make rings for juggling
• Children build a big top with blocks

For social and moral development:

Relationships with peers:

• Suggest children paint each other's faces
• Children wait for their turn to get their face painted

Empathy:

• Have children pretend to be happy clowns and sad clowns

Autonomy:

• Give children freedom to choose their costume
• Encourage children to clean up on their own

Self esteem:

• Invite children to show their parents their work (ex. mask or big top made with blocks)
• Invite parents to come see the show children have prepared

For language development:

• Have children discuss circus pictures
• Ask children if they have ever been to the circus, have them describe the outing
• Show children new words (big top, tightrope walker, juggler, etc.
• Discuss clowns' emotions (sad, happy, angry)
• Tell a circus story

For psychomotor skills:

Global motivity

• Invite children to perform somersaults on mats
• Let children throw a ball into the air and catch it
• Have children jump in hoops and walk through or under hoops
• Let children walk on a balance beam while holding a balancing pole (stick)
• Have children juggle tiny soft balls

Movement and music
Sing songs using gestures and movements.
For example you may sing an adapted version of

the Hokey Pokey song:

You put your clown foot in
You take your clown foot out
You put your clown foot in
And you shake it all about

You do the hokey pokey
And you turn yourself about
That's what it's all about

You put your monkey tail in

You take your monkey tail out
You put your monkey tail in
And you shake it all about
You do the hokey pokey

And you turn yourself about
That's what it's all about

Continue with: elephant trunk, balancing pole, etc.

EVALUATION:

• Invite children to describe their day at the circus
• Review new vocabulary

Have fun!

The Educatall team