Circus Ringmaster and Platform Prepositions Activities | ESL

 This resource,Circus Prepositions Activities for ESL Students | Ringmaster and Platform, is also included here: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Circus-Unit-for-Elementary-ESL-3759017

Step right into the circus and make learning prepositions fun and meaningful! This Circus Prepositions resource uses the Ringmaster and colorful platforms to help students understand and practice key prepositions such as in, on, under, behind, next to, between, and in front of through engaging, hands-on activities.

It can be used as a stand-alone resource to teach or review prepositions or as a complement to your Circus Unit, helping students strengthen reading, speaking, and sentence-building skills in a fun and visual way.

Use the flashcards to introduce or review the prepositions with your students.

True or False Show. Show flashcard and say sentence: The ringmaster is under the platform.

Students show: 👍 Correct or 👎 Incorrect.

Circus Director Game. One student becomes the "Circus Director or Ringmaster". Print the hat template, add a strip of paper and create the hat for the student or yourself.

They say: "The ringmaster is under the platform."

Other student points to that flashcard, which should be placed on the board.

Match the Sentence to the Flashcard. In this activity, students read the sentence strips and place them under the correct circus flashcards on the board. Each sentence describes the position of the ringmaster in relation to the platform.

The sentence strips are included in this resource and are designed to match the flashcards.

Act It Out: The Ringmaster and the Stool. In this interactive activity, one student wears the ringmaster hat and uses any stool and glues the stool prop, that you have previously prepared using the printable in the resource. Another student gives directions, suing the flashcards as a guide, the position using a complete sentence, such as: “The ringmaster is on the stool.”

The student acting as the ringmaster listens and places himself in the correct position.

Listen and Draw Activity. The teacher secretly chooses a flashcard and describes it without showing the picture. For example: “The ringmaster is behind the platform.”

Students listen carefully and draw what they hear. Afterward, the teacher shows the flashcard so students can compare their drawings. This activity develops listening comprehension.

The small cards are included to provide more opportunities for practice.

Read and Match to the Picture. Students receive the printable small picture cards and the sentence strips. Students read and match.

Write the Sentence. Students pick a small card and write the sentence.

Why Small Cards Are Powerful for Literacy

They help students:

read independently
 manipulate language
build sentences
practice writing meaningfully
develop confidence

Cutouts are included so students can physically place the Ringmaster in different positions relative to the platform, helping them practice prepositions through hands-on learning.

Listen and Place the Ringmaster. Print and cut the  platform + ringmaster cutout. It comes in colored and b/w version.
Teacher says: "The ringmaster is under the platform."

Students place the ringmaster correctly.

Worksheets are included to help students practice prepositions through reading, writing, matching, drawing, and coloring activities.

Students roll the printable dice and color the matching picture on their worksheet. Each time the dice lands, students identify the preposition and find the correct image to color. This activity reinforces preposition vocabulary.

Students complete the worksheet by reading each sentence and writing the correct preposition to describe the position of the ringmaster.

Students read each sentence and trace the line to match it with the correct picture.

Have the learners write the correct preposition to describe the position of the ringmaster.

This worksheet is for drawing and coloring the platforms in the correct position around the ringmaster. Students carefully follow the instructions.

Games are included to help students practice prepositions in a fun, interactive, and engaging way.

Feed Me Circus Ring activity

Students take turns choosing a small circus card and feeding it into the Feed Me Circus Ring Box that you have ready. As they feed the card, students say a complete sentence

Matching Mat Activity

Students take turns rolling the preposition dice. They say the preposition they rolled, for example, “behind.” Then they find the correct Ringmaster picture card and place it on the matching word on the mat. Finally, they say a full sentence: “The Ringmaster is behind the platform.”This adds movement and speaking practice

Puzzle “Build and Read”
After completing the puzzle, students read the full sentence aloud to a partner. Then, they use a small card or flashcard to recreate the same position of the Ringmaster and say the sentence again. This reinforces reading, speaking, and comprehension of prepositions.

Spinner Activity

Students spin the spinner and look at the picture where the pointer lands. They say a complete sentence to describe the Ringmaster’s position using the correct preposition. This activity helps students practice speaking.

 Flap Book Activity Text:

Students create a flap book to practice circus prepositions. Under each flap, they write and complete a sentence to describe the Ringmaster’s position.

 

Also included the Circus Popcorn Numbers 1–20 pack that features colorful, circus-themed flashcards and interactive games to help kids recognize numerals, read number words, and build one-to-one correspondence with quantities. It works well for whole-class lessons, small-group centres, or independent practice — perfect for math / number units in elementary ESL classrooms.Check the blog post:   https://eflelementaryresources.blogspot.com/2025/07/this-resource-is-also-included-here.html

 Find creative ideas and engaging resources for teaching young learners, visit my blog for preschool teachers here: EFL Preschool Teachers Blog. You'll find practical activities, tips, and resources designed to make learning fun and effective for little ones!

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