Nick, Im playing catch up today sorry for not getting back to you sooner.

. Thanks for sharing the great example of MS students collaboratively working on rigorous content-based text and the citing of evidence as well as making connections to something relevant in their lives, like music. This is a perfect example of the type of work we want to see students experiencing in our classrooms. Thanks for stepping forward and taking a lead role in the district. Have a renewing summer! Sandi
From: Nicholas Christensen [mailto:christnl@hudson.k12.wi.us] Sent: Thursday, May 23, 2013 8:50 AM To: Kristin Conrad; Michelle Miller Cc: David Grambow; Sandra Kovatch Subject: Common core Technology Hey guys, I just wanted to share a short project that we are working on presently in class that aligns with the common core/21st century skills etc....We are currently working in our Middle Ages Unit-and specifically the Black Plague as a topic to work on our skills. There are two links to take a look at. When you are looking at the links you are looking at completely student work. 1. https://docs.google.com/a/hudson.k12.wi.us/document/d/1z29TRYJClAsX93nH5-xMaOp2suvxksKGL9UljJNqLI/edit In this document the students were asked to decipher the text (figure out difficult vocabulary, confusing sentences, names etc..) by inserting comments that cleared up certain parts. As they were doing this we would stop and then discuss parts of the text out loud as a full group etc... This was a very collaborative piece for the students (some were using computers and many were on their own devices) 2.https://docs.google.com/a/hudson.k12.wi.us/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0AjYyDUIN48pEdDBaSEpZWE9hdU NqZWhRUjY2QjM0TkE#gid=0 In this document the students were then asked to compare the above deciphered article and compare it to song lyrics which they choose. You will be able to see some of the questions. (We are working on showing the evidence and not just what we think...) Continual work in process here... There will be one more portion, a culminating writing/response that I am working on right now. I wanted to share just one thing that I am currently doing to improve the collaborative nature of our learning while using technology as a tool to help teach 21st century skills.

Nicholas L. Christensen
Hudson School District Hudson Middle School 7th Grade Classroom Instructor 715-388-3820 (w) 612-708-6751 (c) CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: This electronic communication constitutes a confidential pupil record under Wisconsin law and may not be reviewed, distributed, or copied by any person other than the individual(s) to whom it is addressed. This electronic communication is intended solely for the use of the individual(s) to whom it is addressed. If you are not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any further review, dissemination, distribution, or copying of this electronic communication or any attachment thereto is strictly prohibited. If you have received this electronic communication in error, you should immediately return it to the sender and delete it from your system. Thank you.