Reading Connections prepares students for the academic reading process by teaching them the reading, vocabulary and critical thinking skills essential for becoming effective readers. High-interest texts in a wide variety of genres and from a variety of sources simulate real-life academic reading. Challenging unit tasks give vital practice in the actual academic research process. Students are required to gather and synthesize relevant information from a number of sources, and to draw well-reasoned conclusions, presented in a variety of formats. Extensive reading strategy instruction provides students with practice in core reading skills necessary for purposeful reading. Detailed vocabulary strategy instruction teaches students both the skills necessary to build and define a working academic and professional vocabulary, as well as helping them to cope with unknown words as they are reading. Further independent reading in related areas is encouraged through extensive supplementary texts and activities, and pointers to interesting websites.