ABSTRACT
The Writing Cycle builds on Noam Chomsky's language acquisition device (LAD), the powerful, prewired "box" in our minds that makes language learning spoken or written possible for us all. The language of writing in most classrooms and textbooks focuses on know-about knowledge of writing. Craft and skill mini-lessons model and teach students about style, ideas, organization and conventions. In American education, the prevailing game has been, and continues to be, What Does Teacher Want Teachers and students play it in kindergarten. Parents work hard to get their children into the "right" teacher's class. The Writing Cycle provides the scaffold for supporting students as they explore their inborn ability to acquire written language. It is up to us teachers to talk about writing in ways that keep their minds active in their blossoming LAD. The language of writing in most classrooms and textbooks focuses on know-about knowledge of writing.
