No conundrums with the funundrum.

• Position: FUNundrum! - What's New? - Circus review

In our school district, fifth grade is a momentous year for the students, as it marks the end of elementary school. Before they make the big leap to junior high, they're treated to all sorts of graduation festivities, and one of the highlights is the Circus unit they participate in during phys ed. For a few exciting weeks, the kids get to try their hands at activities such as juggling, stilt walking, and plate spinning, and the project culminates with the children putting on their own version of the Greatest Show on Earth.

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Naturally, our group of 10-year-olds can't perform all the feats the professionals do, but when we attended in the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus recently with a fifth-grader and a couple of middle-schoolers in tow, they were thrilled to see the acts they've managed to master.

In celebration of the 200th anniversary of RT. Barnum's birth, this year's edition, Barnum's FUNundrum!, features 130 performers from six continents, including 100,000 pounds of pachyderms and other exotic animals. Before the main event begins, everyone is invited onto the floor of the arena for the All Access Pre-Show, where patrons can interact with the performers, get autographs, and catch a sneak peak at some of what's to come. It was here that we encountered the clowns who were using two of the most popular elements in our elementary school circus--the Diabolo and Devil Sticks. We were mesmerized by the display, and our youngsters were able to learn a few new tricks to boot. This unexpected treat set the stage for the excitement about to unfold.

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This year's circus, produced by sisters Nicole and Alana Feld, seems to have a different feel, with events that are reminiscent of the early days but with a contemporary flair. We enjoyed the fast pace of the acts, such as the entertaining Barnum Bouncers from Puyang, China, who dazzled the audience with their dexterity as they bounced and flipped to new heights in synchronization on...