School Event: Splatz Circus Skills

December 2008/January 2009

Each year group from Reception to Year 6 has had time to learn some amazing circus skills during December 2008 and January 2009. Not of the high wire acrobatics variety, but all the children (and teachers) have improved their balance, agility, coordination and confidence in some of the tricky activities below.

Juggling balls: the secret, believe it or not, is to encourage children to drop. If you take the emphasis away from the catching and place it on the throw, eventually the catch will take care of itself.
Juggling scarves: great for encouraging children to make up tricks of their own and for partner and group work.
Diabolo: once you can get the diabolo spinning it can be thrown and caught in as many ways as you can imagine. The children took over and taught each other.
Chinese ribbons: very simple to use so ideal for all ages and particularly good when linked with music and dance.
Spinning plates: to actually get the plate spinning from a standing start is the key and a great challenge.
Peacock feathers: by far the best way to introduce children to the concept of balance. Because the feather moves so slowly it enables the children to move with them they keep their eye on the 'eye' of the peacock feather. Not long before they could balance on a finger, chin, nose!
Stilts.: wooden stilts and plastic walking cups are a great challenge as the children can get the chance to be as tall as the teacher.
Unicycle: there's only one wheel, it looks tricky so it probably is tricky!

A juggling demonstration.		The children try juggling with scarves.
Having a go at the diabolo.		Chinese ribbons are simple for everyone to use.
Spinning plates - everyone having a go!		Balancing feathers.
Walking on plastic cups.		A demonstration of the Unicycle.
Trying to move on four wheels.		Reception have a go at spinning plates.
Reception wave their feathers!		Year 5 pupils trying to ride a fun wheeler.
Year 5 with the spinning plates.		Coping with the four wheelers.
Struggling to get on the stilts.		Year 5 proudly show off their certificates.

Some reports from Year 5

Trying to ride a fun wheeler

It was hard to balance on the fun wheelers because every time I tried to put my weight on it, it turns out I always fell off. And when my friend tries to help me balance I always make them hold me up so I don’t fall. When I tried to peddle by myself , I fell off every time. DON’T HAVE A GO!!!!!! (It’s FUN Really)

by Israr

At the end

At the end Neil (the person who taught us circus skills) gave us a certificate. I learnt lots of tricks like how to juggle scarves and how to balance in a easy way. Why don’t you have a go!

by Bushra

Outstanding time with Splatz

What did you find hard Aisha?
" I found it hard to balance the peacock feathers."
Atif is concentrating really well because he doesn’t want the plate to fall off the thin stick.
As we can see Aisha and Kadeer have the hang of it now.
What did you enjoy most Kadeer?
" I liked spinning the plates."
What did you enjoy most Atif?
" I liked the four wheelers."
Some girls are struggling to get on the stilts.
What didn’t you like Shamila?
" I liked everything!"
What did you find hard Aaishah?
" I found it hard to stand on the big stilts. I found it best to use little steps when you are on the big stilts because you can fall off."

by Sohail