Bring Jackie Leigh Davis to your organization!

Jackie travels throughout New England but could go farther afield.

Scroll below for details on available programs, and when you’re ready, contact Jackie to start the conversation!

Putting Circus into Words – Yikes!
(for All grades; 40-50 min. with Q&A)

Jackie shares the challenges she faced trying to explain physical activities with words. How does technical (informative, explanatory) writing team up with circus-making? A section from her book, DIY Circus Lab for Kids, is used. Jackie calls upon her mime, circus, and audience participation skills to engage all grades.

Includes a free, autographed copy of DIY Circus Lab for Kids for the school library! Publisher discount available for classroom copies.

Words, Pictures, and Circus: How author + photographer = book!
(for 3rd grade and up; 40-50 min. with Q&A)

Author Jackie Leigh Davis teams up with photographer Scot Langdon to share the frustrations and fun of their book-making journey. Scot and Jackie explain how they carefully matched text with image to produce a How-To book that kids could understand.

Includes a free, autographed copy of DIY Circus Lab for Kids for the school library! Publisher discount available for classroom copies.

School Workshops: Writing

How do you write that?
(for Grades 4-6; 45-60 min.)

Jackie poses as a space alien who knows nothing about earthly life. Can students use their words effectively to inform/explain to this naïve reader how to do a real-world task? Students will write, then try to follow each other’s directions. Hilarity (and learning) ensues!

Publisher discount available for classroom copies.

Teacher Workshops:
Classroom Activities

Circus in the Classroom
(for Classroom teachers, K-8)

Research shows that interspersing movement activities into the school day improves behavior, cognition, and academic achievement. Circus to the rescue! Using DIY Circus Lab for Kids as a textbook (included in fee), teachers will learn how to teach basic circus skills to their students for movement breaks during the school day. (And if students can do it, so can teachers. Plus, it’s fun!)

School Workshops:
Physical Education

Circus Skill ABCs
(for Grades K-8; standard PE period)

Jackie offers the first steps in circus-learning, ideally in collaboration with the PE or class teacher. Skills offered will depend on the time available and the grades involved. Circus props can be provided, or, schools can also book Circus Prop-Making Workshops.

Skills for younger grades can include: circus-play games and activities; hooping; poi; plastic bag juggling; partner balances (mats required).

Skills for older grades can include: hooping; poi; juggling sticks; plastic bag juggling; 3-ball juggling; armpit juggling; human pyramids (mats required); intro to clowning.

Teacher Workshops:
Physical Education

Circus in the PE Curriculum
(for PE teachers, K-8. A 1-day, district-wide professional development workshop tailored for PE teachers.)

Jackie specializes in teaching teachers how to teach circus. Using DIY Circus Lab for Kids as a textbook (included in fee), PE teachers learn cues and techniques for bringing basic circus skills into the curriculum. Jackie deconstructs the circus-making process too (no arts or performance experience necessary).

Jackie has taught circus to PE teachers at NHAHPERD conferences and the national SHAPE conference in Baltimore. In 2007, she was named Middle School PE Teacher of the Year in NH.

School Workshops: Prop-Making

Make-Your-Own Circus Props
(for Grades 4-8; time requirements vary;  extra materials required according to project)

Using DIY Circus Lab for Kids as a textbook (included in fee), Jackie will collaborate with teachers to lead students in making circus props they can keep. Prop-making requires longer blocks of time, a workshop space, and a plan for gathering materials.

Props workshops offered include: sock poi; hula hoops; juggling sticks; juggling balls; clown hat.

(Jackie does not offer prop-making for: diabolo; rola bola; stilts; tightrope; or clown nose.)

Additional Visits

• Homeschool workshops and consultations
• Summer camps
• Libraries
• Book signings
• Your idea here!