The Butterfly Circus

Before watching : ASK STUDENTS:

* Some people get a butterfly tattooed on them. Do you know what symbolic meaning it may have?

POSSIBLE ANSWER: The butterfly is a symbol of transformation or change, love and joy.

http://thebutterflycircus.com/

After watching the movie, get into small groups of 4.

Discussion Questions:

1. How do you think Will felt when he was part of the sideshow in the first circus?
2. In the film, Will stowed away in Mr. Mendez's Butterfly Circus. What differences did
Will discover between both circuses?
3. What groups of society do the circus performers stand for? What do they have in
common?
4. The film shows these members of society were seen as unproductive before joining The
Butterfly Circus. What happens in our society with the weakest? Is their human
dignity and their right to participate in society recognised?
5. In what ways did some of the other circus performers change when they joined The
Butterfly Circus? Why?
6. What effect did it have on Will?
7. How did Will change after he joined the circus?
8. In what ways did Will begin to positively affect the lives of others?

Reflect:

1. Will's life changed after he met Mr. Mendez. Why?

2. Can we change that which is negative in our lives? If so, how?
3. What can we do to show others they can also transform their lives?