Instructional Conversations and Literature Logs

Instructional Conversations and Literature Logs is a combined intervention designed to help English language learners in grades 2-5 develop reading comprehension ability and English language proficiency. Instructional Conversations are small-group discussions (approximately 45 minutes per week) where teachers act as facilitators, engaging students in discussions about stories, key concepts, and related personal experiences. Literature Logs require students to write independently in response to prompts or questions related to story sections, then share their responses in small groups or with a partner. The intervention was used in two ways across the studies: as a short-term intervention delivered over four days on alternating days with the same story, or as key components of a broader language arts program delivered from grades 2-5. Teachers involved in the studies were members of research and development teams and met bi-monthly to study instructional components, view demonstrations, plan units, and evaluate student work.