Circus

Preparation:

1. Prepare the storybook Leo and Mia's Magical Circus Adventure with clear illustrations.

2. Prepare circus-themed vocabulary flashcards: Magic, Clown, Tent, Balloon, and Popcorn.

3. Bring physical props: colored balloon cutouts (red, blue, yellow), a toy top hat with a plush rabbit, a red-and-white striped paper bag for popcorn, and multi-colored circus mats.

Part 1: Story Introduction and Vocabulary Activity

"Leo and Mia's Magical Circus Adventure" Story & Colour Tracking Integration

Target Vocabulary:

1. Magic

2. Clown

3. Tent

4. Balloon

5. Popcorn

Target Sentence Structures:

• “What colour is the [noun]?”

• “[colour]”

Learning Objectives:

By the end of the lesson, students should be able to:

1. Identify core circus vocabulary items on command.

2. Respond to the question “What colour is the [noun]?” by pointing to and verbalizing the color name.

3. Connect the story narrative to real-world visual attributes (colors) using interactive props.

4. Participate in the narrative of Leo and Mia visiting the circus show.

Class Details:

1. Warm-Up (5 mins)

Sing a simple circus parade song (to the tune of "The Wheels on the Bus"):

"The clowns at the circus go ha-ha-ha, ha-ha-ha, ha-ha-ha... All through the tent!"

Move your hands to match the silly motions of a clown to get the toddlers laughing and physically engaged.

2. Story & Vocabulary Introduction (5 mins)

Introduce the story Leo and Mia's Magical Circus Adventure. Show the opening scene where they discover the golden ticket. Turn to page 2 and point to the massive structure: "Look at that big striped tent!" Tap your tummy on page 5 and teach "Popcorn": "Yum! I love crunchy popcorn!"

3. The Interactive Story-Colour Game (20 mins)

Read the book Leo and Mia's Magical Circus Adventure. Turn the storybook pages into an active, visual color-tracking game using 3D floor props:

• The Big Striped Tent: Point to the tent on page 2. Ask the class: “What colour is the tent?” Guide them to point and shout out the primary colors: "Red! White!"

• The Silly Clown: Turn to page 8 where the clown appears. Hold up a colorful polka-dot clown flashcard. Ask: “What colour is the clown?” Lead the children to label the bright colors they see on his outfit.

• The Floating Surprise: On page 11, the clown hands Mia a floating surprise. Pull out a real, bright red balloon. Ask the class: “What colour is the balloon?” Lead the toddlers to echo: “Red!”

• The Magic Hat Finish: Turn to page 13 for the magic trick. Cover a toy rabbit with a big black top hat on your mat. Pull the rabbit out with a dramatic swirl of your hands and say, "Look at the magic!" Ask: “What colour is the rabbit?” $\rightarrow$ “White!”

4. Vocabulary Review (5 mins)

Lay out the 5 vocabulary cards on the floor mat: Tent, Popcorn, Clown, Balloon, and Magic. Play a fast-paced sorting game where toddlers stomp next to the Clown, pretend to eat the crunchy Popcorn, or float high like a Balloon when the teacher calls out the target noun.

Assessment:

• Observe if children can physically point to the target nouns (like the Tent or Balloon) when prompted during storytime.

• Listen for the individual use or echo of basic color words (e.g., "Red", "White") when asked the target question.

• Check for enthusiastic participation during the magic hat and prop-reveal interactions.

Remarks & Reminders for Teachers:

While the circus story features complex background crowds and detailed performances, keep the language testing for 2-year-olds centered on the large, primary colored objects featured in the foreground. Focus heavily on visual tracking and joyful expressions to keep the lesson gentle, lively, and highly interactive.

Part 2: Art and Craft Activity

Making a "Silly Clown Polka-Dot Outfit"

Learning Objectives: 

By the end of this activity, students should be able to:

1. Follow simple instructions to create a clown face.

2. Develop fine motor skills through sticking and printing activities.

3. Use different materials to create artistic effects.

4. Practice the target color structure by labeling the shades applied to their artwork when asked “What colour is the...?”.

Materials List:

• Paper for base

• Pre-cut eyes and mouth shapes

• Double-sided tape

• Small balloons

• Toilet roll tubes

• Round sponges

• Paint for printing

• Wet wipes for cleanup

Class Details:

1. Introduction (5 mins): Show a completed clown craft and explain the steps.

2. Creating the Clown (15 mins):

• Invite children to stick pre-cut features using double-sided tape

• Demonstrate and invite them to use balloons, toilet rolls, and sponges to print curly hair

• Demonstrate and invite them to experiment with paint application and printing techniques

3. Clean-Up (5 mins): Invite children to clean their hands and organize materials.

4. Assessment:

• Observe children's ability to follow colour-matching instructions

• Monitor turn-taking skills during activities

• Assess vocabulary recognition and usage

5. Notes for Teachers:

• Ensure that each child is actively participating.

• Provide lots of encouragement and positive reinforcement to boost confidence.

• Use simple language and demonstrate each step before asking the children to do it.

• Keep safety in mind at all times, especially with materials like scissors and glue.

• Keep paint colours separate to avoid mixing

• Keep wet towel ready for quick cleanup

Follow-Up:

• Hang the completed clown outfits side-by-side on the class board to display a sea of bright polka-dots, matching the joyful aesthetic of the final bow on page 14.

• Encourage the children to point to their artwork at pick-up time and tell their parents: "Look! Funny clown!"

Reference image for art and craft: