The Big Circus Show
The circus ring has five acts: the tightrope walker on the bench, the trampoline jumper, the lion jumping through the hoop, the acrobat climbing the pyramid and the juggler tossing scarves into the clown's box. Everyone rehearses together, then half the class performs the show while the other half is the audience.
How to play
- The teacher, as ringmaster, introduces the acts: tightrope (gym bench), trampoline (jump from the step onto the mat), lion (crawl through a hoop held up by two cones), pyramid (low vaulting box with mats) and juggling (toss scarves into the box) (2 min).
- Dress rehearsal: everyone goes through the ring one by one, with the teacher at the trampoline and another adult at the pyramid (5 min).
- Group A's show with music: they do the course and take a bow with open arms at the end; group B sits as the audience and claps for each act (5 min).
- Switch: group B performs and group A is the audience (5 min).
- Grand finale: all the performers parade around the ring, bow together and share which act made them most nervous or most happy (3 min).
Rules
- On the trampoline, jump with feet together and land on your feet with bent knees.
- One performer per act.
- The audience claps and stays out of the ring.
- Every performer bows at the end.
Variations
Easier
For 3-year-olds, the tightrope is a rope on the floor, the trampoline jump is from the floor, and the pyramid is one folded mat.
Standard
For 4-year-olds, use the gym bench, a low step and a one-layer vaulting box with a mat in front.
Harder
For 5-year-olds, the tightrope walker crosses with a scarf on the head and the jumper adds a move in the air (a clap, a star shape).
Adaptations
- Limited mobility: the child can be the announcer who introduces each act or the juggler from the chair, and passes through a hoop held higher at chair level.
- Autism: let the child watch the other group first and, if needed, perform with only the teacher watching.
- Hearing loss: mark the start and end of each show by flicking the lights or raising a big scarf.
Learning goals
- Link balancing, jumping, crawling, climbing and throwing.
- Express the role of a performer for an audience.
- Recognize the nerves and joy of performing.
Equipment for a class of 25
- banco sueco: 1
- step: 1
- colchonetas: 4
- aro: 1
- conos: 2
- plinto bajo: 1
- pañuelos: 10
- caja: 1
- música
Teacher tip
The step and the vaulting box always need a thick mat in front and an adult beside them. Some kids feel shy performing: let them go holding a friend's hand. Audience clapping is part of the game, so practice it first.
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