Now Through May
Books in Motion
Dance Residencies
MADCO works with the world's leading children's authors to bring images from their books to life through dance.
Look for MADCO and their literacy promoting programs at your neighborhood schools and community events.
Interested in getting Books in Motion to your school?
Contact:
Aaron Tidball
MADCO Education Coordinator
atidball@madcodance.com
314-800-8119
MADCO's Current Selections
You can help MADCO by purchasing these books through our site using the links below
| "Wonderstruck" by Brian Selznick, the author of "The Invention of Hugo Cabret" http://www.wonderstruckthebook.com/ |
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"Fablehaven" Brandon's Website: Read Brandon Mull's letter about participating in MADCO's Books In Motion Program |
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"Archer's Quest" Linda's Website: |
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"The Invention of Hugo Cabret" Now a major motion picture directed by Martin Scorsese. Read Brian Selznick's letter about participating in MADCO's Books In Motion Program |
Download the Study Guide for Archer's QuestAbout Books in Motion
Books in Motion is designed specifically for 5th or 6th grade students. It is a creative and comprehensive program combining literature, dance, music and art which provides students with a multi-disciplinary approach to learning. Classroom teachers complete the selected book as a "read aloud" with their students. After the reading is complete, MADCO dancers enter the scene to help bring images from the book to life. MADCO will spend 10 sessions with each group of students helping them create movement compositions based on the selected reading. Music and art teachers are invited to join in the collaborative process to create a sound score and art related projects. The lesson culminates in a student performance and performance by MADCO dancers. Assistance with seeking funding for this project is provided by MADCO.
Parents and Educators respond to Books In Motion
"Books In Motion" was creative and unique; but most of all, you were able to encourage my daughter into participating-THIS IS HUGE! Elizabeth has muscular distrophy and has never taken dance class or been on a sports team. When you have a child with a disability, your heart breaks every time you see her excluded from activities-whether by others or because she doesn't believe she can participate. Watching her out there with her classmates, dancing, smiling, joining in, not just included but EQUAL-well, words just cannot adequately express what we felt."
Parent, Wright City Middle School
"Once in a while along comes a program that is above and beyond any expectations that you could imagine for a school program. Books in Motion with MADCO is one of those programs."
Flavia Evermann, Executive Director, Warren County Fine Arts Council
"The absolute best part of this experience was observing the rare ownership our students genuinely took to heart. This was THEIR project. They learned to communicate effectively with their peers and with the MADCO staff knowing that it wasn't just another assignment no one would see, but it was a big ordeal that had a purpose."
Jen Freund, Science Teacher, Rohan Woods School
Letter to MADCO from Bryan Painter, Principal Keysor Elementary School
February 7,2009
To Whom It May Concern:
It is my sincere pleasure to write a letter of support for Stacy West and the Modern American Dance Company of St. Louis for their professionalism and passionate contributions to our school. The work they have done with students has far exceeded all expectations and we're intently looking forward to our next opportunity to work together.
I am principal of Keysor Elementary School, a K-5 school in suburba n St. Louis with roughly 435 students. We've had the good fortune of working with Stacy over the last three years and with her MADCO dancers since the winter of 2008. From the get-go I was impressed with Stacy and her creative brainstorming; it was obvious she is passionate about the arts and about creating meaningful experiences for kids. The result has been her Books in Motion program, a unique connection between literature and the arts, MADCO dancers and our children. ...[continued]
Letter to MADCO from Lynn Moeckel of Ladue Middle School
March 3, 2010
Dear Stacy,
On behalf of the entire Ladue Middle School faculty, I wish to thank you for the
outstanding program you provided to our students through Books in Motion. Our
sixth graders thoroughly enjoyed every moment they spent with your company of
dancers, and this experience will stay with the children forever, I'm sure. ...[continued]