The Grapes of Wrath and the American Dream, NEXUS Integrated Curriculum Unit series Author: Jesse Bryant Wilder, ed. Course: English Literature & Composition

"Abstract/Summary: The exercises in this exhilarating volume focus on observation skills; theme, variation, and repetition in the novel; period music, and art. Its 11 chapters reveal the social production of art in action by showing the interpenetration of all the arts -- painting, music, film, journalism, theater, and novels -- to produce social change. It is a sure-fire hit with students."

"The NEXUS Integrated Curriculum Unit series does the research for teachers who want to present major literary works in an interdisciplinary context. Built around periods rather than themes, each is a beautifully produced glossy magazine that links the text to the period s history, music, art, theater, and science to provide "additional entry points into literature." Supplements and team-teaching guidelines (four for this volume) suggest activities and additional readings in each discipline, all emphasizing the critical skills and analogical thinking that are crucial for success on the SAT and AP Exams."

AP Central Link - Grapes of Wrath

Macbeth and the Dark Ages, NEXUS Integrated Curriculum Unit Author: Jesse Bryant Wilder, ed.

AP Central Link - Macbeth

"The wonderfully rich historical background -- colorful anecdotes and clear, conversational accounts of family ties, political motives, events, and phenomena -- will definitely enhance students' study of the play. The illustrations for the 14 short sections (one to three pages) of this volume are stunning: maps, production photos, beautiful reproductions of tapestries, and manuscript illuminations."

"NEXUS is a remarkable publication, one of the best of its kind for promoting interdisciplinary work by students. Each volume reflects careful research and is filled with information that both engages students and advances their understanding of how the disciplines complement each other." Gene Maeroff, Director of the Hechinger Institute onEducation and Media, Teachers College, Columbia University, Senior Fellow of the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching, & former National Education Correspondent of the New York Times.

"NEXUS is a visually exciting, reader friendly magazine with articles contributed by nationally known experts in their fields. Crisp scholarship, challenging activities, and teacher supplements make learning entertaining and challenging. NEXUS brings the past to life by using a lively writing style and colorful or intriguing anecdotes, and by highlighting the "story" in history." NCAIS (North Carolina Association of Independent Schools) Newsletter.

"With an impressive group of contributors and consultants, Publisher/Editor Jesse Bryant Wilder has put together a stunning set of challenging materials that will provide outstanding learning experiences for secondary students." TEMPO, Gifted & Talented education journal of Texas.

"Songs of the Seventh Son is one of many thoughtful articles in The Harlem Renaissance volume of NEXUS&Each volume&is a hybrid of a well-written interdisciplinary textbook and a lively, attractive magazine." Classroom Notes Plus, NCTE (National Council of Teachers of English)

"Essays in [The Lion in Winter & the Middle Ages volume of NEXUS] provide any creative teacher with a cornucopia of ideas from which to draw lessons that cross the lines that usually separate subjects." Breaking Ranks, NASSP (National Association of Secondary School Principals)