Schools
Flow Circus combines the skills and experiences of educator and writer Dawn Daria and nationally performing artist Paul Miller to create engaging and dynamic programs. At the core of all of our programs is the belief that learning is and always should be fun. Playfulness and spectacle ensure that students and staff will be talking about Flow Circus long after the visit.
Booking Flow Circus is easy and stress-free for the PTA representative or school coordinator. We provide the sound system, promotional materials, and related lessons/activities to extend the impact of the visit. No deposit is required to book.
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In-School Programs 
Books & Kits Family Night Events Staff Programs
Read Yourself Silly
Students will be inspired to read as Paul tells the story of how a trip to the circus led him on an adventure filled with juggling, magic, and balloon sculpting. In the end, he learns that amazing journeys begin not at the circus, but at the library. This one-man show is 45 minutes long and accommodates audiences of up to 350 students in Grades K-8. It easily adapts to a variety of spaces including gyms, cafeterias, and auditoriums.
Paul immediately had the students in the palms of his juggling hands. Many students were so motivated by his performance that they came into the library the next day asking for books on topics of interest. Many teachers said this was the best performance we've had at our school.
By the end of the day, my face hurt from smiling, not only from Paul's antics,
but also from seeing the joy on the students' faces.
Karen Hershey, Librarian
Coates Elementary School, Herndon, VA
What's the Story?
Part author visit and part performance, this program with Dawn and Paul gives students a glimpse of the creative process used by both writers and performers. We connect to Common Core ELA standards as we share our experiences and encourage students to develop their own skills as readers, writers, and performers. This two-person program is 45 minutes or can include a question and answer session with students for a 60 minute program. It accommodates audiences of up to 200 students in grades K-8 and is best suited for libraries or large classroom spaces that have a screen or clear wall for projection.
Do Something
Join Paul as he shares his own story of going from graduating with a degree in accounting to becoming a professional juggler. Based on his own experiences as an entrepreneur, Paul encourages middle school students to discover and explore their passions while researching career options related to those interests. Even if it means forging your own unique path toward success. This one-man show is 45 minutes long and accommodates audiences of up to 350 students in Grades 6-8. It easily adapts to a variety of spaces including gyms, cafeterias, and auditoriums.
Middle school students often have dreams of becoming professional atheletes or the next American Idol. Do Something honors the passion that these students possess, but provides more realistic alternatives for them to consider. More importantly, the message gives steps for students to take to achieve their goals.
Vickie Simmons, Career Development Coordinator
Moore Square Magnet Middle School, Raleigh NC
Skill Toys from Around the World
Students explore both history and the impact of cultural exchange through toys in this hands-on workshop. Skill toys such as juggling, yo-yo, and the bilboquet have histories dating back hundreds and in some cases thousands of years. Dawn and Paul provide the cultural context for the skill toys and basic instruction on how to manipulate them. Students then experience hands-on play as it was through the centuries. During an opportunity to reflect on this experience, students compare these unplugged toys to modern technology and draw conclusions about the future of play. This 60 minute workshop fits both social studies and physical education standards. It accommodates up to 30 students in grades 5-8 and requires open space for playing.
Extend the impact of a Flow Circus visit and develop sustainable programming with the following resources.
Grounded for Good
Fiction book for upper elementary and middle grade readers in which the main character, Derek Dawson, can't seem to do anything right. He couldn't wait to finish middle school, but a heroic attempt to impress his classmates on the last bus ride home sends him right back to the principal's office. Instead of a summer filled with sleeping in and hanging out with friends, Derek has to work at the family store, "volunteer" at the public library, and spend the rest of his time grounded at home. This book will have you rooting for Derek from beginning to end as he searches for the answer inside so many of us…Where do I fit in?
Paperback: 232 pages
ISBN-10: 0985387807
ISBN-13: 978-0985387808
Individual and class sets are available at Flow Circus Press.
I loved the book! I was rooting for Derek the entire way as the plot kept me guessing! I could certainly see my students identifying with Derek. You have especially reached out to the
pre-teen boy--a difficult group to reach when it comes to reading. So many of these boys feel exactly like Derek....like they cannot do anything right.
Jennifer DelGrosso, Reading Specialist
Swiftwater Elementary Center, Mt. Pocono, PA
Skill Toy Kit
This all-inclusive kit offers a novel programming option for physical education, drama, and integrated lessons as well as afterschool programs. Students in upper elementary and middle school will want to pick up and play with skill toys that can be spun, balanced, and tossed. The kit contains 20 top quality skill toys (4 sets of flowers sticks, 4 spinning plates, 4 Japanese kendama, 4 diabolo, and 4 chatter rings), a 65 page program guide, and an instructional DVD. The kit is contained in a durable bin that allows for easy storage and sharing between classrooms.
Juggling Kit
Juggling is an engaging way to help upper elementary and middle school students develop 21st century skills such as goal setting, problem solving, and collaboration. This all-inclusive program contains 20 sets of top quality juggling balls, 1 set of juggling rings, 1 set of juggling clubs, a 65 page program guide, and an instructional DVD. The kit is contained in a durable bin that allows for easy storage and sharing between classrooms.
Coming in Spring 2013: The first two books in a new series of non-fiction children's books With Dawn & Paul.
Skill Toys from Around the World …With Dawn & Paul
Juggling Through the Ages…With Dawn & Paul
Recruit new PTA members and encourage family engagement with evening events that will entertain the adults as much as the students.
Flow Circus provides free promotional materials and activity ideas to ensure the event's success.
Family Fun
Treat families to an unforgettable evening of laughter and play with this 45 minute comedy juggling and magic show. This one-man show accommodates audiences of up to 350 people. It easily adapts to a variety of spaces including gyms, cafeterias, and auditoriums.
Fantastic family fun night. Not only was the event a huge success, Paul and Dawn were great to work with in advance and on the day of the show.
Go ahead and book Flow Circus. You'll be glad you did!
Diane Lowenthal, Wolftrap Elementary School PTA, Vienna, VA
Family Fun (draiser) – Play, Unplugged
Turn an evening of entertainment into a fundraiser for your school. After the show, Flow Circus sets up play stations with skill toys Paul uses in the show such as spinning plates and flower sticks. Families will have an opportunity to play together as they move between the stations and try their hand at the toys. We provide forms for easy ordering and delivery of skill toys to your school. PTA handles the distribution and gets a percentage of sales while encouraging a culture of healthy, active play for families in your community. A win - win!
Flow Circus can help your staff playfully kick off the school year, avoid mid-year burn-out, or celebrate the year's successes.
Juggling 101
Experiencing first-hand the struggle, challenge, and ultimately triumph of learning something new will remind teachers of what their students experience every day. Paul and Dawn have taught thousands of new jugglers and will guide your staff through the process in a safe and playful way. After a hands-on learning session, participants will be asked to reflect on their learning experience and how our teaching methods could apply to their classroom.
Skill Toys 102
When we are faced with learning a new skill, everyone reacts to the challenge in a different manner. Based on their own experience playing with skill toys from around the world, participants will reflect on how prior experiences, learning styles, and personal strengths influence these responses to a challenge. Focus will be on how to best motivate ourselves as well as students, parents, or colleagues to accept challenges and succeed.
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Paul's antics helped the students to relax and truly listen to the advice he gave them about choosing a career. When asked if they would like to see him again the responded quite enthusiastically "he is so AWESOME"
Rebecca Rostron, Music Teacher
Chapman High School, Spartanburg, SC
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Toys From Around the World - Newington Forest Elementary School, Great Falls, VA |
Do Something! - Middle School Raleigh, NC |
Twist & Earn! Family Night Cape Hatteras, NC |
