Strive-for-Five Conversations: A Framework That Gets Kids Talking to Accelerate Their Language Comprehension and Literacy

The authors begin with the premise that good conversational skills are “foundational to becoming a good reader,” since early language predicts later reading comprehension, and then offer the model of the Strive-for-Five conversation. Ten chapters are organized into three parts: Understanding and Implementing the Framework, Fueling Language Comprehension Through Conversations, and Taking Conversations Beyond the Classroom. A strategy for how early childhood teachers can support conversation with children to promote their language development, knowledge of their world, and self-confidence follows. Aimed at busy teachers, the text discusses steps to meaningful conversation, among them active listening, open-ended questions, and scaffolding strategies, as well as language comprehension goals, including literacy, vocabulary, and language structures. After the how-to basics, the text progresses to the research-supported why, as recommended genres and books that promote dialogic, interactive reading and a growing vocabulary turn theory into practice. The last third moves from the classroom to the home to discuss strategies for families. Throughout the book, “Terms to Know” boxes define in-text vocabulary, and there are “Reflect and Implement” questions to launch and support the process. Examples of Five-Step conversations are deconstructed to illustrate the process, and diagrams and charts offer visual clarification. Guided play and small group activities are also modeled. QR codes scattered within the text link to video exemplars, while recommendations, references, and an index are included at the end. Throughout, the authors are sensitive to the needs of multilingual learners and the necessity for cultural respect.