CAMDEN – As the movie, The Greatest Showman, began appearing in movie theaters, students at the Camden-Rockport Middle School sixth grade class were working on their own circus through their history, art and physical education classes. The culminating activity was a circus performance January 10, and an art installation at a school assembly.

The performance included influential characters from 1800s, circus acts, clown sketches, and a grand finale with the song ‘This is Me’ from The Greatest Showman. Students were encouraged to emulate the spirit of the circus and show their true selves.

Jaime Stone, principal of CRMS, said the students changed academic quarters in December and at the same time started working on the circus.

"Probably about six weeks now," she said. "It was multi-layered. There was artwork, art posters and three dimensional arts. Circus Arts was in partnership with our physical ed. department."

Stone said it just involved the sixth grade and was the students’ first time doing this project based learning unit.

"This is all part of out project based learning initiative that started a few years ago," she said.

Jim Morse, CRMS Social Studies teacher asked, why the circus? And then answered, why not?

"We chose the circus as a curriculum focus because it connects all the subjects," he said. "It also was an instant hook for the students in that their natural curiosity helped lead us in some new directions."

Morse had students connect the circus to important events throughout the 1800s, such as the Civil War, the Industrial Revolution, the Wild West, and the Transcontinental Railroad.

"Students received the big picture of how all these pieces fit together and worked on historical sketches of their chosen circus performers," he said.

Art teacher Kristen Andersen had students research and design figures from circus history. The whimsical sculptural representations embodied a circus performer of the student's choice and were influenced by the work of famous artist Alexander Calder.

"Learning about the people in the circus really brought its unique culture alive," she said." Through the hands-on artistic process students gained a better understanding of circus life."

Physical education teacher Dana Southworth taught the students circus arts, with help from at Hope Air and retired CRMS PE teacher Matt Brown.

"This was exciting for the students," Southworth said. "The pages of their history book literally coming to life in so many areas."

Students learned juggling, tumbling, human caterpillars and globe ball balancing.

"These new skills were incorporated into the lessons," he said. "It was instant engagement, and having a performance gave us an authentic audience for the work and helped the students develop acts around their physical strengths because they had a deadline."

Southworth said everyone was able to find a way to participate in the final product.

Youth Arts funded the field trips to Hope Air, a work session from Circus Ship author, Chris Van Dusen, and supplied volunteers when needed. Camden National generously donated popcorn for the big show.

They project had Foner Curtis, Ellen Curtis, and Erma Colvin work with them on acting and props. Brad LaRoche headed the clown skits, using his past experiences as a clown and stuntman, and team members Cassandra Riegler and Becki Gabriele helped with costumes. The sixth grade team realized this big performance couldn't have done without the help of many!

Student artwork will be on display at both Camden and Rockport libraries by January 22.