Reading for Today 1 : Themes /
Lorraine C. Smith, and Nancy Nici Mare.
- 4th ed.
- Boston : National Geographic Learning ; 2016.
- xv, 196 p. : ill. (col.) ; 26 cm.. + 1 audio CD.
- Reading for Today .
Includes an index of Key Words and Phrases as well as a Skills Index.
“Themes for Today, Fourth Edition, is a reading skills text intended for beginning English-as-a-second or foreign-language (ESL/EFL) students. The topics in this text are fresh and timely, and the book has a strong global focus. [...] Themes for Today, Fourth Edition, provides students with essential practice in the types of reading skills they will need in an academic environment. It requires students not only to read text but also to extract basic information from various kinds of charts, graphs, illustrations, and photos. Beginning-level students are rarely exposed to this type of reading material. In addition, they are given the opportunity to speak and write about their own cultures and compare their experiences with those of students from other countries. The text includes real-life activities that give students tasks to complete outside the classroom. These tasks provide students with opportunities to practice reading, writing, speaking, and listening to English in the real world. Thus, all four skills are incorporated into each chapter." (Preface, viii) CONTENTS: Preface Introduction Acknowledgments Scope & Sequence UNIT 1: New Experiences Ch. 1 – Healthy in College Reading Skills: Previewing a reading Scanning for information Skimming for main idea Predicting content Reading Skill Focus: Using headings to create an outline Vocabulary Skills: Understanding meaning from context Word Forms: Recognizing the suffix –ful Identifying word forms: adjectives and nouns Critical Thinking Skills: Creating a healthy diet Deciding on the best diet Creating a schedule Comparing schedules Discussing questions related to the reading Ch. 2 – Learning a Second Language Reading Skills: Previewing a reading Activating prior knowledge Scanning for information Predicting content Reading Skill Focus: Creating an outline Vocabulary Skills: Understanding meaning from context Word Forms: Identifying parts of speech: nouns and verbs Critical Thinking Skills: Surveying classmates Evaluating suggestions Comparing lists Categorizing information Discussing opinions UNIT 2: Today’s Families Ch. 3 – A Musical Family Reading Skills: Previewing a reading Using a chart to answer questions Recalling information Scanning for information Reading Skill Focus: Understanding time order words Vocabulary Skills: Understanding meaning from context Word Forms: Identifying parts of speech: nouns and verbs Critical Thinking Skills: Explaining opinions Proposing changes Recalling information Organizing ideas in a chart Discussing questions related to the reading Ch. 4 – The McCaugheys: An Unusual Family Reading Skills: Previewing a reading Using a chart to answer questions Predicting content Scanning for information Reading Skill Focus: Understanding a bar graph Word Forms: Identifying parts of speech: nouns and verbs Critical Thinking Skills: Creating a schedule Discussing opinions Assessing grocery needs Preparing a grocery list Writing questions UNIT 3: Learning and Memory Ch. 5 – It’s OK to make mistakes! Reading Skills: Previewing a reading Activating prior knowledge Understanding questions Scanning for information Reading Skill Focus: Creating a flowchart Vocabulary Skills: Understanding meaning from context Word Forms: Identifying parts of speech: nouns and verbs Critical Thinking Skills: Evaluating learning styles Considering real-world applications Explaining preferences Developing a plan Identifying problems Ch. 6 – Super Memory Reading Skills: Previewing a reading Predicting content Understanding questions Scanning for information Reading Skill Focus: Understanding adverbs Vocabulary Skills: Understanding meaning from context Word Forms: Identifying parts of speech: adjectives and adverbs Critical Thinking Skills: Arguing advantages and disadvantages Identifying reasons Recalling memories Creating a list Comparing lists Discussing questions related to the reading UNIT 4: Big Cities and Small Towns Ch. 7 – The Best Place to Live Reading Skills: Activating prior knowledge Previewing a reading Predicting content Scanning for information Recalling information Skimming for main idea Reading Skill Focus: Reading a pie chart Vocabulary Skills: Understanding meaning from context Word Forms: Recognizing the suffix -ness Identifying parts of speech: adjectives and nouns Critical Thinking Skills: Creating a list Assessing reasons Explaining opinions Surveying classmates Comparing charts Discussing questions related to the reading Ch. 8 – The New York City Marathon: A World Race Reading Skills: Previewing a reading Predicting content Scanning for information Skimming for main idea Reading Skill Focus: Understanding a line graph Vocabulary Skills: Understanding meaning from context Word Forms: Recognizing the suffix -ment Identifying parts of speech: verbs and nouns Critical Thinking Skills: Recalling and discussing experiences Comparing advice Writing a letter Describing a sporting event Creating a list Comparing lists UNIT 5: Remarkable Researchers Ch. 9 – Margaret Mead: The World Was Her Home Reading Skills: Previewing a reading Predicting content Scanning for information Skimming for main idea Reading Skill Focus: Using a timeline Vocabulary Skills: Understanding meaning from context Word Forms: Recognizing the suffixes -ence and -ance Identifying parts of speech: verbs and nouns Critical Thinking Skills: Describing an important person Explaining an opinion Evaluating a description Planning an interview Discussing interview results Ch. 10 – Louis Pasteur: A Modern-Day Scientist Reading Skills: Previewing a reading Activating prior knowledge Predicting content Scanning for information Reading Skill Focus: Understanding coordinating conjunctions Vocabulary Skills: Understanding meaning from context Word Forms: Recognizing the suffix -tion Identifying parts of speech: verbs and nouns Critical Thinking Skills: Recalling experiences Predicting medical advances Identifying past cures Creating a list Comparing lists Evaluating medical discoveries UNIT 6: Technology in Our Lives Ch. 11 – The Cell Phone Debate Reading Skills: Previewing a reading Using a chart to record answers Predicting content Scanning for information Skimming for main idea Reading Skill Focus: Understanding a For and Against Chart Vocabulary Skills: Understanding meaning from context Word Forms: Recognizing the suffix -ment Identifying parts of speech: verbs and nouns Critical Thinking Skills: Considering opposing viewpoints Arguing an opinion Categorizing information Organizing points in a For and Against Chart Debating opposing viewpoints Creating a list of rules Ch. 12 – Clues and Criminal Investigation Reading Skills: Previewing a reading Using a chart to record ideas Predicting content Scanning for information Skimming for main idea Reading Skill Focus: Understanding chronological order Vocabulary Skills: Understanding meaning from context Word Forms: Recognizing the suffix -ful Identifying parts of speech: nouns and adjectives Critical Thinking Skills: Analyzing evidence Deciding a criminal verdict Discussing opinions Illustrating a criminal investigation Identifying evidence Creating a list Comparing lists Discussing questions related to the reading Index of Key Words and Phrases Skills Index Credits Notes