Circus Clown Face and Silly Day Materials paper plates scissors large pompoms for the tip of the hat glue bright-colored construction paper foam piece shapes for the eyes and nose colorful yarn What to do 1. Give each child a paper plate for to make a clown face mask. 2. Cut out triangle “hats” from bright colored construction paper. Children glue the triangle hats to their plates and attach a pompom to the tip. 3. Encourage children to glue foam shape pieces to their plates to make eyes and a nose. 4. Help children cut out construction paper “smiles.” Children can glue on smiles and add yarn hair to Downloaded by [email protected] from complete their clown faces. 5. Encourage them to nameProFilePlanner.com their clown faces. 6. This is a great day for the class to dress silly. Encourage them to wear an interesting combination of clothes, wear their clothes backwards, or put on a funny hat. Related books Circus by Lois Ehlert Mirette on the High Wire by Emily McCully Paddington Bear at the Circus by Michael Bond w Sandy Scott, Vancouver, WA The GIANT Encyclopedia of Learning Center Activities 131 Downloaded by [email protected] from ProFilePlanner.com Circus Clown Faces Materials face paint brushes pictures of clown faces mirrors What to do 1. During a circus theme, set up a face-painting station in the art area. Provide face paint, brushes, mirrors, and clown pictures (for inspiration). 2. Make sure an adult (volunteer) supervises this area. He or she does not need to do all the painting, but can ensure that the children are being safe as they paint the faces of their friends. w Ann Kelly, Johnstown, PA Clowning Around an ObstacleDownloaded byCourse [email protected] from ProFilePlanner.com Materials gross motor equipment chalk or masking tape tape paper and markers red sponge or paper scissors What to do 1. Place the gross motor equipment around the room or playground to form an obstacle course that the children will have to follow. 2. Draw a trail using chalk or masking tape to connect the equipment, indicating the path to take. 3. Label the equipment with circus names. For example, a balance beam could be a “tightrope,” hula hoops could be “lion-taming rings,” a swing could be a “trapeze,” and balls and beanbags can be the “juggling area.” 4. Cut out red clown noses from a red sponge or paper. Place the clown noses at the beginning of the course and encourage each child to wear one (attached using tape) as they traverse the course. 132 The GIANT Encyclopedia of Learning Center Activities Downloaded by [email protected] from ProFilePlanner.com.