Using Strive-for-Five Conversations to Strengthen Language Comprehension in Preschool through Grade One

Abstract

Engaging in frequent, meaningful conversation during the early years of schooling is foundational for children's literacy development. Specifically, developing oral language through daily conversations is essential for language comprehension, and eventually, reading comprehension. In this article, we discuss how teachers can use the Strive-for-Five framework to strategically engage students (preschool through Grade 1) in meaningful back-and-forth conversations. Using Scarborough's Reading Rope, we illustrate how teachers can elevate the quality of conversations to enhance literacy knowledge, vocabulary, verbal reasoning, background knowledge, and language structures.