Teachers know that encouraging young children to talk and listen improves their ability to communicate. Strive-for-Five Conversations: A Framework That Gets Kids Talking to Accelerate Their Language Comprehension and Literacy gives them a power tool aligned with the science of reading: the “Strive-for-Five” framework. These responsive conversations start with what children say and continue as the teacher listens and responds over five turns—with the goal of stretching their talking and thinking, knowledge, vocabulary, reasoning, and other skills that underpin reading success.

In an accessible format that contains audio and video clips, along with classroom anecdotes and model conversations, Zucker and Cabell show why Strive-for-Five conversations are important and how teachers can use them to engage children and develop their language comprehension. As teachers use the framework to build students’ knowledge, vocabulary, reasoning, and other skills that underpin reading success, they'll also see students’ confidence grow as they share their individual stories, ideas, and questions.

Produced and published by Echo Point Books & Media, an independent bookseller in Brattleboro, Vermont. ©2024 Tricia A. Zucker, Sonia Q. Cabell.