ABSTRACT
Teacher-and-student dialogue continues productively each week through the Writing Cycle with the help of the rubric at the bottom of the student guide. Schedule students to experience the writing process together one step at a time; have word- and sentence-study centers available for students who finish tasks early. Quantify expectations of all writing tasks and present students with a simple rubric for self-assessment. Keep all writing tasks within the time limits recommended by brain research. Make sure that students write on similar topics, genres and modes to take full advantage of the power of the Peer-Assisted Learning System. Student-teacher conferences run more efficiently. Student-teacher interactions about writing are clear and to the point. Administrators and colleagues visit without interrupting instruction. Parents are fully informed on their children's progress. Eight simple words used in talking with your students about their writing make all the difference. The Writing Cycle can become an easy, smooth-flowing framework of productive teaching and learning.
