ERIC Number: EJ1466158
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2025
Pages: 12
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1740-8989
EISSN: EISSN-1742-5786
Available Date: 0000-00-00
Everyone Is Welcome under the Big Top: A Multiple Case Study on Circus Arts Instruction in Physical Education
Marco A. C Bortoleto1; J. J. Ross2; Natalie Houser3; Dean Kriellaars3
Physical Education and Sport Pedagogy, v30 n1 p1-12 2025
Purpose: This study aimed to explore the implementation and impact of circus arts instruction in physical education (PE) classes through a multiple case study design. Data Collection/Analysis: This multi-site case study explored the implementation and impact of circus arts instruction in PE. Participant observation took place over the course of 16 hours of PE class time in a two-week period. Themes were created by collapsing common observations, following Braun and Clarke's six-step thematic analysis process. Findings: Circus implementation in elementary schools revealed a wide array of benefits to both teaching practices and student experience based on four themes. The themes included: (1) Circus in action: a shift in pedagogy; (2) Teacher training in circus; (3) Facilities and circus equipment; and (4) Pedagogical strategies. Conclusions: With the integration of physical literacy enriched pedagogical practices, circus arts instruction created a gymnasium space inclusive to all students by addressing a number of barriers often observed in PE related to sex/gender equity, and inclusion of different levels of ability (physical and cognitive). Our findings suggest that circus arts is one of the best known examples of a physical literacy enriched experience, with inclusion at its foundation.
Descriptors: Physical Education, Physical Activities, Recreational Activities, Elementary Education, Teacher Education, Equipment, Teaching Methods, Educational Facilities, Equal Education, Inclusion, Foreign Countries
Routledge. Available from: Taylor & Francis, Ltd. 530 Walnut Street Suite 850, Philadelphia, PA 19106. Tel: 800-354-1420; Tel: 215-625-8900; Fax: 215-207-0050; Web site: http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Elementary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Canada (Winnipeg)
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: 1Faculty of Physical Education, University of Campinas, Campinas, Brazil; 2St James-Assiniboia School Division, Winnipeg, Canada; 3Department of Physical Therapy, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada