
Circus
For Everyone!
Project Design Lab / June 23-27
Burlington, Vermont
What kid doesn’t want to run away and join the circus?
At the end of this five-day learning and planning retreat you will leave with a project plan that empowers your students to be able to run away to the circus and return in time for math class.
This course is for K-6 physical education teachers who want to design and lead a circus arts unit that is accessible at any degree of ableness, creates a culture of physical literacy, and most especially is super fun!
Circus is inherently social and self-esteem building, and is FUN! There’s a role for everyone to shine.
Circus builds trust and engages sequencing, gross and fine motor skills, and problem solving.
Circus allows kids to develop compassion for self and others, supports each student's unique learning style, and gives kids a closing event where they can be witnessed and celebrated.
We will be moving and creating our own circus to deepen our learning and prepare to be role models for our students when we lead them to create a circus together.
No prior circus arts experience required.
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Will it work?
Will my students love it?
Will it meet the standards?
YES!

What To Expect
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Deepen the culture of empathy, co-authorship, creativity, engagement, and inclusion in your PE class – the circus is for everyone!
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Build a circus PE unit ready to launch that meets standards and builds a positive mindset, strengthens motor skills, deepens self-knowledge, celebrates individual and group accomplishments, and nurtures a sense of belonging.
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Role model how circus arts support a positive and active PE class – we will be learning by doing.
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Strengthen your active motor skills through hands-on learning in circus arts.
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Design a culminating event to your circus unit that gives students an opportunity for closure and celebration – as simple or in depth as you want to make it.
Workshop Themes
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Hanging installations
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​Sculptural installations
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Recyled materials installations
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The importance of public art installations for celebrating student work
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Managing installations in the school & community
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Everyday well-being in the art room
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Exploring the creative process

Workshop Themes
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Circus skills training in juggling, flower sticks, diabolo, poi, spinning plates, partner acrobatics and balancing objects in hands, on chins or our bodies on a pipe – how to do it, how to teach it.
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Customize developmentally appropriate circus-arts lesson plans for K-2 and 3-6.
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Explore, understand, and experience the power of being witnessed in performance.
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How to use circus arts to lead students to discover and celebrate their unique gifts.
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Collaborate on designing 6-8 lessons per grade level (K-6) for a 2-3 week unit featuring differentiated instruction that meets or exceeds PE standards.
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How to integrate elements of dance, theater, clowning, and music, depending on the level of performance or exhibition you want for your circus unit.
Faculty
Kevin O'Keefe (her/him)
Course Leader​
Kevin has directed hundreds of in-school circus residencies and over one thousand performances that have touched the lives of over 200,000 children and their families. He is the founder of the American Youth Circus Organization.

Tuition
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$2,000 - Three graduate credits
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$1,790 - Certificate of Participation for 40 hours relicensing credits
$100 later registration fee after May 1.
Tuition includes a private air-conditioned dorm room with a centrally located private bath at the University of Vermont, plus breakfast and lunch. Everyone is on their own for dinner in Burlington. Lodging is optional.
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Attend Solo or as a Team
You can attend solo or with a team from your school or district.
Teams can be composed of educators (classroom teachers, councilors, paras, special educators, staff, administrators) and can be from the same grades and content areas, or mixed.
Teams may include educators from different schools in the district if you want to design a multi-school project.
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Teaching Artist Residency - OPTIONAL
If you would like information on how to schedule a teaching artist residency to support implementing your project, complete the PDL Questions Form and we'll get right back to you.
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FAQ
Visit the PDL FAQ page for answers to questions about team participation, tuition & fees, lodging & meals, daily schedule, teaching artist selection (optional), and more.
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Project Snapshots
See examples of previous projects created at the Project Design Lab here.
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Questions?
Complete the PDL Questions Form and we'll be back in touch soon.

We invite you to let us know about specific accommodations you may need to participate in the Project Design Lab when completing your Registration Form, and we will make every effort to honor your request.
Accrediting Institution
