M. Colleen Cruz

September 18, 2014 9:28 AM EDT

Thanks for writing and sharing. These suggestions are brilliant.

- Hareem

September 19, 2014 10:09 AM EDT

Love the creative, out of the box ideas!

- Sara

September 11, 2014 12:29 PM EDT

Not at all, especially if it helps to clarify your thinking. Looking forward to seeing the responses. Good luck with the blog. Judy

- @judyjester

September 11, 2014 12:37 PM EDT

Welcome to the blogosphere, Colleen! Your book sounds incredible. There are so many things I could comment on when I think of the things I hear people say when it comes to writing instruction. Everything from "the kids can't write complete sentences" to "I don't have time to teach writing." And on and on. Workshop isn't used much around where I live (now), which is so unfortunate. If there was a workshop culture around here, I believe things would be different. Again, can't wait for your book!

- Stacey

September 11, 2014 4:59 PM EDT

So happy to read your first blog post! It's about time. :) Looking forward to more... Love from Cali

- Regina Hurh Kim

September 11, 2014 5:53 PM EDT

Trouble I a so important, as is failure. I can't wait to read your new book when it comes out, and I'm so glad you are blogging so that I can learn from you from afar!

- @BethMooreTCRWP

September 12, 2014 12:38 PM EDT

I love Colleen Cruz! I remember you talking about trouble years ago and it is one, of many tips from you, that I still use all of the time in my work. My other favorite is 'it is sometimes easier to write the truth as fiction'. Can't wait to read more posts! Cory

- Cory Gillette

September 12, 2014 2:38 PM EDT

Hi Colleen, I had the pleasure of being in your large group section this summer. I am the sole literacy coach in large district that recently bought and started implementing the new Units of Study. Some trouble: first grade teachers feel Unit 1 too hard for current cohort. Program not implemented in K. Should they look back to the K Launching Unit?

- C. Craven

September 14, 2014 4:45 AM EDT

Hi Colleen, I'm so excited about your blog, as well as your upcoming book. Trouble: Juggling time in dual language classrooms. When there is a block of 45 minutes for writing workshop in the schedule daily for grades k-4, how do we navigate the units? Session 1 in English, session 2 in Spanish? Bend 1 in English, bend 2 in Spanish? Unit 1 in English, unit 2 in Spanish? Teach each session in each language, but only do half the units? Something else entirely? We'd love your thoughts on this. Thank you.

- Karen

September 14, 2014 8:22 AM EDT

Thanks for all the kind words. And wow. Seriously, some great questions. Some of these are already planned for the book (phew) - some have given me some great ideas for what the book might need. And Regina, Beth & Cory - if I knew blogs turned into old home week I would have done this years ago ;-)

- Colleen

September 15, 2014 2:05 PM EDT

Yay for starting a blog! And yay for starting with trouble, which, like confusion, is where learning often begins. I'll be spending more time on writing this year than I have in the last few years so I'm sure I'll encounter tons of trouble. But the big thing I've been noticing is how little low-stakes writing there is going on—writing to think, to explore an idea, to brainstorm possibilities and options. And God only knows how much I as a writer need to give myself that space. But so glad that you've joined the blogosphere & looking forward to the new book!

- @VickiVintonTMAP

September 17, 2014 4:58 PM EDT

better late than never - especially when it comes to talking trouble in the teaching of writing. So glad you are opening up this conversation and can't wait to follow the threads!

- marjorie