Art excel students in Mrs. Tenhagen 's class have been researching the history of the circus and clowns and the different types of clowns.  They worked through the Internet Workshop process searching many safe websites to gain knowledge of the history of the circus and clowns.  They also looked for the three main types of clowns.  Below are descriptions written by students about their research.

History of the Circus by: Jadyn  and Lyndsey Although the circus that entertains us today started in London in 1770, if it wasn't for John Bill Ricketts it would not be here.  American had not been a country for a very long time, so there was no people to see the show.  So Ricketts moved the show to Boston, Richmond, and other big cities.  It was not easy.  It had to be rebuildt everytime it traveled somewhere.  The Ringling Brothers from Baraboo, WI, were called the "Kings of the Circus World."

The Character Clown by: Drake and Koree The Character Clown is a clown that copies features of other things such as movie characters.  The character clowns usually has a torn up hat, torn up clothes, a red nose and other large features.

The Auguste Clown by: Sydney and Danielle The Auguste Clown tends to be the silly clown in skits.  The Auguste clown knows what is going on in a skit but usually somehow escapes.  The clothing is usually over sized and primary colors are popular for this clown.  The make-up is bright and exaggerates the natural features present in the face; a large nose, large outlined mouth etc.  There are millions of different kinds of special characteristics of each clown.

The White Faced Clown by: Aaryn  and Max The White Faced Clown typically is the serious clown in the act.  He usually is the prey of the skit.  He  uses white grease painton his face and their costumes tends to be more formal than other clowns.  Their costume is less vivid than others and their make up tends to be simple.

 
After their research the students got busy designing their own clowns life size for the Randall "BIG TOP" art show on April 17, 2005.  The show starts at 11:00 a. m.-3:30 p. m.  Bring your camera!  You don't want to miss the opportunity to turn your loved ones into a clown. 

Searching the Internet		Painting the Design
	Tracing Their Bodies		Designing a Clown Cut-out

The Randall "BIG TOP" will be open from 11:00-3:30 on Sunday, April 17, 2005.  Bring your camera to photograph your friends and family as clowns in our clown cut-outs.  Come and view all the work by all the grade levels in the multipurpose room.  Admission is free.  Don't forget to stop by the PTC Ice Cream Social in the cafeteria and the Book Fair in the Green Gym.  Come one, come all, to the Randall "BIG TOP."