Skill Toys From Around the World - 5th Grade Workshops

As part of the 5th grade Global Awareness Technology Project, Flow Circus recently visited Newington Forest Elementary School in Fairfax County, Virginia to introduce students to skill toys that have traveled the Silk Road. Students learned the history of 4 different toys and then had a chance to test their own skills with the various props. As one students commented while playing with a set of flower sticks, "I bet people that had these were never bored!"

In addition to using toys to illustrate how cultures interacted and influenced each other, we discussed how the materials used to make the toys varied based on resources available and/or new inventions. Below are excerpts from thank you cards/letters written by the students after the workshop:

I never knew that history could be about toys! Today really inspired me.

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The best part was when you taught us about how they were made and how they got from place to place on the Silk Road. Thank you!

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You were entertaining and you made learning a blast. I have gotten lots of ideas for my project.

Teen Tech Week Video Contest: Learn, Create, Share

To celebrate the 2010 Teen Tech Week, Flow Circus conducted workshops and kicked off a new video contest to fit this year's theme: Learn, Create, Share.

Teen Tech Week was established in 2007 by YALSA (Young Adult Library Services Association) to encourage teens to be "competent and ethical users of technologies" especially those offered at the library. They encourage teens to use school and community libraries' nonprint resources for education and recreation. Teen Tech Week 2010 was held March 7-13.

The theme was a perfect fit for our latest video contest: Learn to juggle or use other skill toys, Create a video, and Share the video with family and friends on FlowCircus.tv. For more information about the video contest visit the Flow Circus TV Blog.

Video contests are offered throughout the year as part of the Skill Toy Program. Libraries and afterschool programs can organize Skill Toy Clubs to engage teens in a unique, playful way. For more information on Skill Toy Clubs visit our website.

To see more pictures from our Teen Tech Week workshops visit the Flow Circus Photo Gallery.

Happy Birthday Dr. Seuss!

Tuesday, March 2nd marked the 106th birthday of Dr. Seuss. flow Circus celebrated with a performance of Read Yourself Silly at Union West Regional Library in Indian Trail, NC. A little snow falling didn't stop families from coming out to laugh and celebrate reading.

For more pictures of the show, visit the Flow Circus Photo Gallery.

For more information and activity ideas, visit the National Education Association's Read Across America website.

March 2010 Newsletter

Greetings from Flow Circus
Happy Birthday Dr. Seuss
Teen Tech Week
Flow Circus Goes to School
Think Summer!

Nasher Museum of Art Family Day

Paul performed at the Nasher Museum of Art's Family Day this weekend. The event celebrated current exhibition Big Shot: Andy Warhol Polaroids. Paul presented his own version of a self-portrait through his performance incorporating juggling, magic, & balloons.

The Nasher Museum has a beautiful performance space and enthusiastic audiences. In addition to performances, Paul performed close-up magic and engaged kids of all ages (the grown up ones too!) in plate spinning fun. We look forward to returning to the Nasher again in the future.

For more photos, visit the Flow Circus Photo Gallery. If you saw one of Paul's shows, feel free to comment here.

February 2010 Newsletter

Greetings from Flow Circus
YMCA Campfire Conference
Juggling, Magic, & Balloon Camps
Make A Splash!

Make A Splash@Your Library

At libraries across the United States, families will Make A Splash and teens will Make Waves this summer. Flow Circus has been brainstorming fresh ideas for a new 2010 SRP performance. Our juggling & skill toy workshops provide a unique program for tweens & teens......they will be making wave patterns as they juggle and making waves as they share their new skills with friends.

Below is a list of our current summer schedule. We still have openings for these tours and would love to visit your library. For more information on performances and workshops visit www.FlowCircus.com/library

Summer 2010:

June 8-11: Alabama Library Tour

June 14-18: North Carolina Library Tour

June 21-25: Pennsylvania Library Tour

June 28-July 2: New York Library Tour

July 5-9: North Carolina Library Tour

August 9-13: Connecticut Library Tour

August 16-20: Long Island Library Tour

Contact Dawn to check our availability at dawn@flowcircus.com or (919)604-3462.