The Circus Around the World residency is an interdisciplinary curricular experience for elementary school children grades 2-6.* Classes choose one country and one circus art (i.e. tumbling, juggling, clowning, partner acrobatics, balancing, etc.). Students study countries through the theme of circus. The learning spans the entire curriculum. We study culture, history, cuisine, language, and geography in social studies. There are math problems to be solved that include sequencing, spatial relations and timing. The Circus Minimus library is available on a lending basis and the students can study circus literature and videotapes from around the world. There are collaborative art projects and mask making in fine arts. Music from those cultures is learned and incorporated into the show. The theme is incorporated into all the curricular activities of the day. The circus makes their studies, relevant, tangible and exciting. Additionally students incorporate all the principles of circus that lend themselves to schools trying to achieve their goals. The tightwire class and juggling class study physics, balance, gravity, tension, and more. The tumbling and partner acrobatics class study trust, group problem solving, teamwork, and more. The clowns study theater, creativity, self expression, and character development. Most in-school residencies are 2 weeks long and end with a final circus performance that takes a trip around the
world with Egyptian Pyramid builders, Italian clowns, Russian jugglers,
Chinese partner acrobatics, Australian wire walkers and the like. The final performance is joyous,
collaborative, and does just what all learning should do: give students a
context and structure for their studies. A videotape and/or a conversation with classroom teachers from past residencies are available. Past locations include Bronxville Elementary School six years running.
"The Circus Around the World program was another success story this year! You continue to amaze me with putting all the details together to present a quality program in our school/ I know the students will always remember their studies of the county and the circus skills they presented in the program for years to come. Please accept my thanks and that of the entire second grade and staff for your outstanding Artist in Residency Program. We appreciate your many efforts on behalf of this school."
Carol Schwalje, Principal
Barclay Brook School, Monroe, NJ
A National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence
*K's and 1st graders can participate with the aid of their classroom
teachers with imaginative play, fantasy and a costume parade.