[This text]is designed to develop effective reading and clear thinking. [It] begins with basic matters: having the right attitude, learning key study skills, and developing a reading habit. [It] consists of ten additional readings that will help improve both reading and thinking skills. [It also] consists of twelve combined-skills tests. The tests provide a review of the comprehension skills [to] prepare students for the standardized reading exam that is often a requirement at the end of a semester. -Pref. to the instructor.

LANDSCAPES is a comprehensive college reading preparatory text (spanning grade levels 8-10) that takes a metacognitive approach and focuses on how the brain processes information, often referred to as brain-based learning. Since metacognition can best be understood as thinking about thinking, the text consistently presents new information with written think alouds to model the thought process involved in applying skills and strategies to reading passages. Based on the premise that the brain learns best through organization of information, the text presents the recognition of text structure and organization as a fundamental skill--one that is especially important for students who have limited prior knowledge of a subject. This focus on text structure provides a scaffold onto which developmental-level readers can apply new knowledge. Information is presented in a carefully crafted sequence that serves to build upon prior knowledge and expand understanding of skills and strategies in a recursive manner. The knowledge of how we learn, the focus of the first chapter, permeates the text and informs the selection of strategies and skills to be introduced and mastered in a specific order. In addition, learning is treated as incremental, with the reader gradually taking more responsibility with each new chapter. While each chapter emphasizes carefully selected reading skills and strategies, thematic content for each chapter establishes solid background knowledge of and interest in the subject matter. Specific and relevant study skills and vocabulary skills are integrated within each chapter as well. Important Notice: Media content referenced within the product description or the product text may not be available in the ebook version.