June 22

June 22, 2000 Reference: CCTT Summer Writing Institute An Outward Bound, Content Development Experience! To: Participants From: Sonja Schmieder, TIES (Technology and Information Educational Services--a consortium of 36 school districts) Roseville, Minnesota, A CCTT Partner Susan Koba, Omaha Public Schools, Omaha, NE, CCTT Curriculum Specialist We are pleased that you have agreed to participate in the first-ever, CCTT Summer Writing Institute,July 8 - 10! 30 individuals are currently registered to attend. This group includes teachers from each of the six CCTT hubsites as well as hubsite managers, and national educational organization content and technology specialists. We hope that you are excited about the opportunity to develop together, an innovative CCTT content product that is representative of all the core subject areas. Our collaboration may ultimately result in a course, "The American Character: An Exceptional People in a Special Place." We will begin our work focusing on "Systems within Systems" -- a thematic unit that addresses the interaction of natural systems with human/cultural systems. Participants will use their discipline expertise to develop standards- and technology-based units around this unifying theme. An agenda and materials are enclosed for your information. Prior to your arrival, we ask that you read the enclosed article entitled "Teaching For Understanding," by David Perkins, found at http://www.exploratorium.edu/IFI/resources/workshops/teachingforunderstanding.html Also, please complete the 1st column of the Anticipation Guide. Logistics: Participants will stay at the Holiday Inn Express (651) in Woodbury. (Directions to the Inn from the airport: Take 494 East to Woodbury; take the Madison (WI) exit on the right; pass Radio Drive Exit to County 19 Exit; get off on 19; hotel is on your right). Your room has been confirmed and each hubsite manager has a list of confirmation numbers. The Institute will begin with a gathering at the Allen, Sonja, and Lily Schmieder household in Woodbury, MN, a short distance from the Holiday Express Inn at 6 pm on Saturday, July 8. (Directions: Get back on to County 19; turn right; proceed to the next right which is Tamarack; take first right into Preserve; swing left to 9287 Parkside Draw). Writing sessions on Sunday and Monday, July 9 and 10, will take place at Eagan High School (EHS), Eagan, Minnesota, a U.S. Department of Education Blue Ribbon Model School as well as a Blue Ribbon Technology School. (Directions to EHS from airport: 494 East to Pilot Knobb Road; turn left; follow to Diffley; turn left; follow to Braddock Trail; turn left into school parking lot. Directions from Woodbury: County 19 to 94 West to 494 West to 35 South to Yankee Doodle Road in Eagan; turn right on Yankee Doodle Road; turn left onto Pilot Knobb Road; proceed to Diffley; turn left to Braddock Trail; turn left into school parking lot). Thank you for your participation and for your willingness to develop 21st Century content. We are confident that we will learn a great deal together -- through this unique, rigorous, and exciting professional development experience. We look forward to seeing you! We look forward to coming together in a spirit of camaraderie and collegiality!