diff --git a/cms/djangoapps/contentstore/views/assets.py b/cms/djangoapps/contentstore/views/assets.py
index 4067e06e48..a6b3ef2cd2 100644
--- a/cms/djangoapps/contentstore/views/assets.py
+++ b/cms/djangoapps/contentstore/views/assets.py
@@ -201,10 +201,11 @@ def _upload_asset(request, course_key):
                 'File {filename} exceeds maximum size of '
                 '{size_mb} MB. Please follow the instructions here '
                 'to upload a file elsewhere and link to it instead: '
-                '{faq_url}').format(
-                    filename=filename,
-                    size_mb=settings.MAX_ASSET_UPLOAD_FILE_SIZE_IN_MB,
-                    faq_url=settings.MAX_ASSET_UPLOAD_FILE_SIZE_URL,
+                '{faq_url}'
+            ).format(
+                filename=filename,
+                size_mb=settings.MAX_ASSET_UPLOAD_FILE_SIZE_IN_MB,
+                faq_url=settings.MAX_ASSET_UPLOAD_FILE_SIZE_URL,
             )
         }, status=413)
 
diff --git a/cms/djangoapps/contentstore/views/item.py b/cms/djangoapps/contentstore/views/item.py
index 28c9a5e480..ffbcd68d18 100644
--- a/cms/djangoapps/contentstore/views/item.py
+++ b/cms/djangoapps/contentstore/views/item.py
@@ -45,7 +45,7 @@ from contentstore.views.helpers import is_unit, xblock_studio_url, xblock_primar
 from contentstore.views.preview import get_preview_fragment
 from edxmako.shortcuts import render_to_string
 from models.settings.course_grading import CourseGradingModel
-from cms.lib.xblock.runtime import handler_url, local_resource_url
+from cms.lib.xblock.runtime import handler_url, local_resource_url, get_asides
 from opaque_keys.edx.keys import UsageKey, CourseKey
 
 __all__ = ['orphan_handler', 'xblock_handler', 'xblock_view_handler', 'xblock_outline_handler']
@@ -64,6 +64,7 @@ ALWAYS = lambda x: True
 # TODO: Remove this code when Runtimes are no longer created by modulestores
 xmodule.x_module.descriptor_global_handler_url = handler_url
 xmodule.x_module.descriptor_global_local_resource_url = local_resource_url
+xmodule.x_module.descriptor_global_get_asides = get_asides
 
 
 def hash_resource(resource):
diff --git a/cms/djangoapps/contentstore/views/preview.py b/cms/djangoapps/contentstore/views/preview.py
index 0d1dfec64f..a67b6019b6 100644
--- a/cms/djangoapps/contentstore/views/preview.py
+++ b/cms/djangoapps/contentstore/views/preview.py
@@ -95,6 +95,10 @@ class PreviewModuleSystem(ModuleSystem):  # pylint: disable=abstract-method
     def local_resource_url(self, block, uri):
         return local_resource_url(block, uri)
 
+    def get_asides(self, block):
+        # TODO: Implement this to enable XBlockAsides on previews in Studio
+        return []
+
 
 class StudioUserService(object):
     """
@@ -110,7 +114,7 @@ class StudioUserService(object):
         return self._request.user.id
 
 
-def _preview_module_system(request, descriptor):
+def _preview_module_system(request, descriptor, field_data):
     """
     Returns a ModuleSystem for the specified descriptor that is specialized for
     rendering module previews.
@@ -163,6 +167,7 @@ def _preview_module_system(request, descriptor):
         descriptor_runtime=descriptor.runtime,
         services={
             "i18n": ModuleI18nService(),
+            "field-data": field_data,
         },
     )
 
@@ -181,7 +186,7 @@ def _load_preview_module(request, descriptor):
     else:
         field_data = LmsFieldData(descriptor._field_data, student_data)  # pylint: disable=protected-access
     descriptor.bind_for_student(
-        _preview_module_system(request, descriptor),
+        _preview_module_system(request, descriptor, field_data),
         field_data
     )
     return descriptor
diff --git a/cms/lib/xblock/runtime.py b/cms/lib/xblock/runtime.py
index b460f175c2..bd2d533ad1 100644
--- a/cms/lib/xblock/runtime.py
+++ b/cms/lib/xblock/runtime.py
@@ -33,3 +33,14 @@ def local_resource_url(block, uri):
         'block_type': block.scope_ids.block_type,
         'uri': uri,
     })
+
+
+def get_asides(block):  # pylint: disable=unused-argument
+    """
+    Return all of the asides which might be decorating this `block`.
+
+    Arguments:
+        block (:class:`.XBlock`): The block to render retrieve asides for.
+    """
+    # TODO: Implement this method to make XBlockAsides for editing views in Studio
+    return []
diff --git a/cms/static/coffee/spec/main.coffee b/cms/static/coffee/spec/main.coffee
index 7ab87a4461..b9b3546dbf 100644
--- a/cms/static/coffee/spec/main.coffee
+++ b/cms/static/coffee/spec/main.coffee
@@ -32,6 +32,7 @@ requirejs.config({
         "jquery.tinymce": "xmodule_js/common_static/js/vendor/tinymce/js/tinymce/jquery.tinymce",
         "xmodule": "xmodule_js/src/xmodule",
         "xblock/cms.runtime.v1": "coffee/src/xblock/cms.runtime.v1",
+        "xblock/core": "xmodule_js/common_static/js/xblock/core",
         "xblock": "xmodule_js/common_static/coffee/src/xblock",
         "utility": "xmodule_js/common_static/js/src/utility",
         "accessibility": "xmodule_js/common_static/js/src/accessibility_tools",
diff --git a/cms/static/coffee/spec/main_squire.coffee b/cms/static/coffee/spec/main_squire.coffee
index 66669b374f..24d855a75d 100644
--- a/cms/static/coffee/spec/main_squire.coffee
+++ b/cms/static/coffee/spec/main_squire.coffee
@@ -30,6 +30,7 @@ requirejs.config({
         "jquery.tinymce": "xmodule_js/common_static/js/vendor/tinymce/js/tinymce/jquery.tinymce",
         "xmodule": "xmodule_js/src/xmodule",
         "xblock/cms.runtime.v1": "coffee/src/xblock/cms.runtime.v1",
+        "xblock/core": "xmodule_js/common_static/js/xblock/core",
         "xblock": "xmodule_js/common_static/coffee/src/xblock",
         "utility": "xmodule_js/common_static/js/src/utility",
         "sinon": "xmodule_js/common_static/js/vendor/sinon-1.7.1",
diff --git a/cms/static/js_test.yml b/cms/static/js_test.yml
index 2f039d5c02..52176290dd 100644
--- a/cms/static/js_test.yml
+++ b/cms/static/js_test.yml
@@ -60,6 +60,7 @@ lib_paths:
     - xmodule_js/common_static/js/vendor/URI.min.js
     - xmodule_js/common_static/js/vendor/jquery.smooth-scroll.min.js
     - xmodule_js/common_static/coffee/src/jquery.immediateDescendents.js
+    - xmodule_js/common_static/js/xblock/
     - xmodule_js/common_static/coffee/src/xblock/
     - xmodule_js/common_static/js/vendor/URI.min.js
     - xmodule_js/common_static/js/vendor/jQuery-File-Upload/js/jquery.iframe-transport.js
diff --git a/cms/static/js_test_squire.yml b/cms/static/js_test_squire.yml
index dbafe0859c..2dcb1e75ef 100644
--- a/cms/static/js_test_squire.yml
+++ b/cms/static/js_test_squire.yml
@@ -55,6 +55,7 @@ lib_paths:
     - xmodule_js/src/xmodule.js
     - xmodule_js/common_static/coffee/src/jquery.immediateDescendents.js
     - xmodule_js/common_static/js/test/i18n.js
+    - xmodule_js/common_static/js/xblock/
     - xmodule_js/common_static/coffee/src/xblock/
     - xmodule_js/common_static/js/vendor/URI.min.js
     - xmodule_js/common_static/js/vendor/jQuery-File-Upload/js/jquery.iframe-transport.js
diff --git a/cms/static/require-config.js b/cms/static/require-config.js
index 790312ed25..0c5646d037 100644
--- a/cms/static/require-config.js
+++ b/cms/static/require-config.js
@@ -35,6 +35,7 @@ require.config({
         "tinymce": "js/vendor/tinymce/js/tinymce/tinymce.full.min",
         "jquery.tinymce": "js/vendor/tinymce/js/tinymce/jquery.tinymce.min",
         "xmodule": "/xmodule/xmodule",
+        "xblock/core": "js/xblock/core",
         "xblock": "coffee/src/xblock",
         "utility": "js/src/utility",
         "accessibility": "js/src/accessibility_tools",
diff --git a/common/djangoapps/xmodule_django/models.py b/common/djangoapps/xmodule_django/models.py
index b6449884e2..92257bc26d 100644
--- a/common/djangoapps/xmodule_django/models.py
+++ b/common/djangoapps/xmodule_django/models.py
@@ -1,9 +1,13 @@
+"""
+Useful django models for implementing XBlock infrastructure in django.
+"""
+
 import warnings
 
 from django.db import models
 from django.core.exceptions import ValidationError
 from opaque_keys.edx.locations import SlashSeparatedCourseKey, Location
-from opaque_keys.edx.keys import CourseKey, UsageKey
+from opaque_keys.edx.keys import CourseKey, UsageKey, BlockTypeKey
 from opaque_keys.edx.locator import Locator
 
 from south.modelsinspector import add_introspection_rules
@@ -91,7 +95,6 @@ class OpaqueKeyField(models.CharField):
 
         super(OpaqueKeyField, self).__init__(*args, **kwargs)
 
-
     def to_python(self, value):
         if value is self.Empty or value is None:
             return None
@@ -140,22 +143,38 @@ class OpaqueKeyField(models.CharField):
 
 
 class CourseKeyField(OpaqueKeyField):
+    """
+    A django Field that stores a CourseKey object as a string.
+    """
     description = "A CourseKey object, saved to the DB in the form of a string"
     KEY_CLASS = CourseKey
 
 
 class UsageKeyField(OpaqueKeyField):
+    """
+    A django Field that stores a UsageKey object as a string.
+    """
     description = "A Location object, saved to the DB in the form of a string"
     KEY_CLASS = UsageKey
 
 
 class LocationKeyField(UsageKeyField):
+    """
+    A django Field that stores a UsageKey object as a string.
+    """
     def __init__(self, *args, **kwargs):
         warnings.warn("LocationKeyField is deprecated. Please use UsageKeyField instead.", stacklevel=2)
         super(LocationKeyField, self).__init__(*args, **kwargs)
 
 
+class BlockTypeKeyField(OpaqueKeyField):
+    """
+    A django Field that stores a BlockTypeKey object as a string.
+    """
+    description = "A BlockTypeKey object, saved to the DB in the form of a string."
+    KEY_CLASS = BlockTypeKey
 
-add_introspection_rules([], ["^xmodule_django\.models\.CourseKeyField"])
-add_introspection_rules([], ["^xmodule_django\.models\.LocationKeyField"])
-add_introspection_rules([], ["^xmodule_django\.models\.UsageKeyField"])
+
+add_introspection_rules([], [r"^xmodule_django\.models\.CourseKeyField"])
+add_introspection_rules([], [r"^xmodule_django\.models\.LocationKeyField"])
+add_introspection_rules([], [r"^xmodule_django\.models\.UsageKeyField"])
diff --git a/common/djangoapps/xmodule_modifiers.py b/common/djangoapps/xmodule_modifiers.py
index 2349f1e3be..4d3bb974cc 100644
--- a/common/djangoapps/xmodule_modifiers.py
+++ b/common/djangoapps/xmodule_modifiers.py
@@ -72,7 +72,11 @@ def wrap_xblock(runtime_class, block, view, frag, context, usage_id_serializer,
 
     data = {}
     data.update(extra_data)
-    css_classes = ['xblock', 'xblock-{}'.format(markupsafe.escape(view))]
+
+    css_classes = [
+        'xblock',
+        'xblock-{}'.format(markupsafe.escape(view))
+    ]
 
     if isinstance(block, (XModule, XModuleDescriptor)):
         if view in PREVIEW_VIEWS:
@@ -90,9 +94,10 @@ def wrap_xblock(runtime_class, block, view, frag, context, usage_id_serializer,
         data['init'] = frag.js_init_fn
         data['runtime-class'] = runtime_class
         data['runtime-version'] = frag.js_init_version
-        data['block-type'] = block.scope_ids.block_type
-        data['usage-id'] = usage_id_serializer(block.scope_ids.usage_id)
-        data['request-token'] = request_token
+
+    data['block-type'] = block.scope_ids.block_type
+    data['usage-id'] = usage_id_serializer(block.scope_ids.usage_id)
+    data['request-token'] = request_token
 
     if block.name:
         data['name'] = block.name
diff --git a/common/lib/xmodule/xmodule/fields.py b/common/lib/xmodule/xmodule/fields.py
index 93618be63c..a3c6aa19d7 100644
--- a/common/lib/xmodule/xmodule/fields.py
+++ b/common/lib/xmodule/xmodule/fields.py
@@ -33,7 +33,7 @@ class Date(JSONField):
         result = dateutil.parser.parse(field, default=self.PREVENT_DEFAULT_DAY_MON_SEED1)
         result_other = dateutil.parser.parse(field, default=self.PREVENT_DEFAULT_DAY_MON_SEED2)
         if result != result_other:
-            log.warning("Field {0} is missing month or day".format(self._name, field))
+            log.warning("Field {0} is missing month or day".format(self.name))
             return None
         if result.tzinfo is None:
             result = result.replace(tzinfo=UTC)
@@ -59,7 +59,7 @@ class Date(JSONField):
             return field
         else:
             msg = "Field {0} has bad value '{1}'".format(
-                self._name, field)
+                self.name, field)
             raise TypeError(msg)
 
     def to_json(self, value):
@@ -199,7 +199,7 @@ class RelativeTime(JSONField):
         if isinstance(value, basestring):
             return self.isotime_to_timedelta(value)
 
-        msg = "RelativeTime Field {0} has bad value '{1!r}'".format(self._name, value)
+        msg = "RelativeTime Field {0} has bad value '{1!r}'".format(self.name, value)
         raise TypeError(msg)
 
     def to_json(self, value):
diff --git a/common/lib/xmodule/xmodule/modulestore/mongo/base.py b/common/lib/xmodule/xmodule/modulestore/mongo/base.py
index 9f8899e399..5d432525c1 100644
--- a/common/lib/xmodule/xmodule/modulestore/mongo/base.py
+++ b/common/lib/xmodule/xmodule/modulestore/mongo/base.py
@@ -50,6 +50,7 @@ from xmodule.modulestore.draft_and_published import ModuleStoreDraftAndPublished
 from xmodule.modulestore.edit_info import EditInfoRuntimeMixin
 from xmodule.modulestore.exceptions import ItemNotFoundError, DuplicateCourseError, ReferentialIntegrityError
 from xmodule.modulestore.inheritance import InheritanceMixin, inherit_metadata, InheritanceKeyValueStore
+from xmodule.modulestore.xml import CourseLocationManager
 
 log = logging.getLogger(__name__)
 
@@ -173,6 +174,9 @@ class CachingDescriptorSystem(MakoDescriptorSystem, EditInfoRuntimeMixin):
         render_template: a function for rendering templates, as per
             MakoDescriptorSystem
         """
+        id_manager = CourseLocationManager(course_key)
+        kwargs.setdefault('id_reader', id_manager)
+        kwargs.setdefault('id_generator', id_manager)
         super(CachingDescriptorSystem, self).__init__(
             field_data=None,
             load_item=self.load_item,
diff --git a/common/lib/xmodule/xmodule/modulestore/split_mongo/caching_descriptor_system.py b/common/lib/xmodule/xmodule/modulestore/split_mongo/caching_descriptor_system.py
index 7881be1c2f..205bf1eaf5 100644
--- a/common/lib/xmodule/xmodule/modulestore/split_mongo/caching_descriptor_system.py
+++ b/common/lib/xmodule/xmodule/modulestore/split_mongo/caching_descriptor_system.py
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 import sys
 import logging
 from contracts import contract, new_contract
+from fs.osfs import OSFS
 from lazy import lazy
 from xblock.runtime import KvsFieldData
 from xblock.fields import ScopeIds
@@ -8,13 +9,13 @@ from opaque_keys.edx.locator import BlockUsageLocator, LocalId, CourseLocator, L
 from xmodule.mako_module import MakoDescriptorSystem
 from xmodule.error_module import ErrorDescriptor
 from xmodule.errortracker import exc_info_to_str
-from ..exceptions import ItemNotFoundError
-from .split_mongo_kvs import SplitMongoKVS
-from fs.osfs import OSFS
-from .definition_lazy_loader import DefinitionLazyLoader
 from xmodule.modulestore.edit_info import EditInfoRuntimeMixin
+from xmodule.modulestore.exceptions import ItemNotFoundError
 from xmodule.modulestore.inheritance import inheriting_field_data, InheritanceMixin
 from xmodule.modulestore.split_mongo import BlockKey, CourseEnvelope
+from xmodule.modulestore.split_mongo.id_manager import SplitMongoIdManager
+from xmodule.modulestore.split_mongo.definition_lazy_loader import DefinitionLazyLoader
+from xmodule.modulestore.split_mongo.split_mongo_kvs import SplitMongoKVS
 
 log = logging.getLogger(__name__)
 
@@ -54,6 +55,10 @@ class CachingDescriptorSystem(MakoDescriptorSystem, EditInfoRuntimeMixin):
             root = modulestore.fs_root / course_entry.structure['_id']
         root.makedirs_p()  # create directory if it doesn't exist
 
+        id_manager = SplitMongoIdManager(self)
+        kwargs.setdefault('id_reader', id_manager)
+        kwargs.setdefault('id_generator', id_manager)
+
         super(CachingDescriptorSystem, self).__init__(
             field_data=None,
             load_item=self._load_item,
diff --git a/common/lib/xmodule/xmodule/modulestore/split_mongo/id_manager.py b/common/lib/xmodule/xmodule/modulestore/split_mongo/id_manager.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..4ff486372d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/common/lib/xmodule/xmodule/modulestore/split_mongo/id_manager.py
@@ -0,0 +1,32 @@
+"""
+An implementation of IdReader and IdGenerator that manages ids for the SplitMongo storage
+mechanism.
+"""
+
+from opaque_keys.edx.locator import LocalId, DefinitionLocator
+from xmodule.x_module import OpaqueKeyReader, AsideKeyGenerator
+from xmodule.modulestore.split_mongo import BlockKey
+
+
+# TODO: Migrate split_mongo to use this class for all key mapping/creation.
+class SplitMongoIdManager(OpaqueKeyReader, AsideKeyGenerator):  # pylint: disable=abstract-method
+    """
+    An IdManager that knows how to retrieve the DefinitionLocator, given
+    a usage_id and a :class:`.CachingDescriptorSystem`.
+    """
+    def __init__(self, caching_descriptor_system):
+        self._cds = caching_descriptor_system
+
+    def get_definition_id(self, usage_id):
+        if isinstance(usage_id.block_id, LocalId):
+            # a LocalId indicates that this block hasn't been persisted yet, and is instead stored
+            # in-memory in the local_modules dictionary.
+            return self._cds.local_modules[usage_id].scope_ids.def_id
+        else:
+            block_key = BlockKey.from_usage_key(usage_id)
+            module_data = self._cds.get_module_data(block_key, usage_id.course_key)
+
+            if 'definition' in module_data:
+                return DefinitionLocator(usage_id.block_type, module_data['definition'])
+            else:
+                raise ValueError("All non-local blocks should have a definition specified")
diff --git a/common/lib/xmodule/xmodule/modulestore/tests/test_libraries.py b/common/lib/xmodule/xmodule/modulestore/tests/test_libraries.py
index c380da1e8b..1447b02384 100644
--- a/common/lib/xmodule/xmodule/modulestore/tests/test_libraries.py
+++ b/common/lib/xmodule/xmodule/modulestore/tests/test_libraries.py
@@ -203,5 +203,6 @@ class TestLibraries(MixedSplitTestCase):
         message = u"Hello world"
         hello_render = lambda _, context: Fragment(message)
         with patch('xmodule.html_module.HtmlDescriptor.author_view', hello_render, create=True):
-            result = library.render(AUTHOR_VIEW, context)
+            with patch('xmodule.x_module.descriptor_global_get_asides', lambda block: []):
+                result = library.render(AUTHOR_VIEW, context)
         self.assertIn(message, result.content)
diff --git a/common/lib/xmodule/xmodule/modulestore/tests/test_mongo.py b/common/lib/xmodule/xmodule/modulestore/tests/test_mongo.py
index a6f1dd5aa7..aa1f80443b 100644
--- a/common/lib/xmodule/xmodule/modulestore/tests/test_mongo.py
+++ b/common/lib/xmodule/xmodule/modulestore/tests/test_mongo.py
@@ -420,7 +420,7 @@ class TestMongoModuleStore(TestMongoModuleStoreBase):
         assert_equals(len(course_locations), 1)
         assert_in(SlashSeparatedCourseKey('edX', 'simple', '2012_Fall'), course_locations)
 
-    @Plugin.register_temp_plugin(ReferenceTestXBlock, 'ref_test')
+    @XBlock.register_temp_plugin(ReferenceTestXBlock, 'ref_test')
     def test_reference_converters(self):
         """
         Test that references types get deserialized correctly
diff --git a/common/lib/xmodule/xmodule/modulestore/xml.py b/common/lib/xmodule/xmodule/modulestore/xml.py
index e6e08a416b..e6a0ca15c3 100644
--- a/common/lib/xmodule/xmodule/modulestore/xml.py
+++ b/common/lib/xmodule/xmodule/modulestore/xml.py
@@ -18,7 +18,7 @@ from contextlib import contextmanager
 from xmodule.error_module import ErrorDescriptor
 from xmodule.errortracker import make_error_tracker, exc_info_to_str
 from xmodule.mako_module import MakoDescriptorSystem
-from xmodule.x_module import XMLParsingSystem, policy_key
+from xmodule.x_module import XMLParsingSystem, policy_key, OpaqueKeyReader, AsideKeyGenerator
 from xmodule.modulestore.xml_exporter import DEFAULT_CONTENT_FIELDS
 from xmodule.modulestore import ModuleStoreEnum, ModuleStoreReadBase
 from xmodule.tabs import CourseTabList
@@ -27,7 +27,7 @@ from opaque_keys.edx.locations import SlashSeparatedCourseKey, Location
 from opaque_keys.edx.locator import CourseLocator
 
 from xblock.field_data import DictFieldData
-from xblock.runtime import DictKeyValueStore, IdGenerator
+from xblock.runtime import DictKeyValueStore
 
 
 from .exceptions import ItemNotFoundError
@@ -64,7 +64,6 @@ class ImportSystem(XMLParsingSystem, MakoDescriptorSystem):
         """
         self.unnamed = defaultdict(int)  # category -> num of new url_names for that category
         self.used_names = defaultdict(set)  # category -> set of used url_names
-        id_generator = CourseLocationGenerator(course_id)
 
         # cdodge: adding the course_id as passed in for later reference rather than having to recomine the org/course/url_name
         self.course_id = course_id
@@ -175,7 +174,7 @@ class ImportSystem(XMLParsingSystem, MakoDescriptorSystem):
                 descriptor = create_block_from_xml(
                     etree.tostring(xml_data, encoding='unicode'),
                     self,
-                    id_generator,
+                    id_manager,
                 )
             except Exception as err:  # pylint: disable=broad-except
                 if not self.load_error_modules:
@@ -201,7 +200,7 @@ class ImportSystem(XMLParsingSystem, MakoDescriptorSystem):
                 descriptor = ErrorDescriptor.from_xml(
                     xml,
                     self,
-                    id_generator,
+                    id_manager,
                     err_msg
                 )
 
@@ -229,12 +228,16 @@ class ImportSystem(XMLParsingSystem, MakoDescriptorSystem):
 
         resources_fs = OSFS(xmlstore.data_dir / course_dir)
 
+        id_manager = CourseLocationManager(course_id)
+
         super(ImportSystem, self).__init__(
             load_item=load_item,
             resources_fs=resources_fs,
             render_template=render_template,
             error_tracker=error_tracker,
             process_xml=process_xml,
+            id_generator=id_manager,
+            id_reader=id_manager,
             **kwargs
         )
 
@@ -245,12 +248,13 @@ class ImportSystem(XMLParsingSystem, MakoDescriptorSystem):
         block.children.append(child_block.scope_ids.usage_id)
 
 
-class CourseLocationGenerator(IdGenerator):
+class CourseLocationManager(OpaqueKeyReader, AsideKeyGenerator):
     """
     IdGenerator for Location-based definition ids and usage ids
     based within a course
     """
     def __init__(self, course_id):
+        super(CourseLocationManager, self).__init__()
         self.course_id = course_id
         self.autogen_ids = itertools.count(0)
 
@@ -263,6 +267,17 @@ class CourseLocationGenerator(IdGenerator):
             slug = 'autogen_{}_{}'.format(block_type, self.autogen_ids.next())
         return self.course_id.make_usage_key(block_type, slug)
 
+    def get_definition_id(self, usage_id):
+        """Retrieve the definition that a usage is derived from.
+
+        Args:
+            usage_id: The id of the usage to query
+
+        Returns:
+            The `definition_id` the usage is derived from
+        """
+        return usage_id
+
 
 def _make_usage_key(course_key, value):
     """
diff --git a/common/lib/xmodule/xmodule/tests/__init__.py b/common/lib/xmodule/xmodule/tests/__init__.py
index 44d9fc0123..eac771de45 100644
--- a/common/lib/xmodule/xmodule/tests/__init__.py
+++ b/common/lib/xmodule/xmodule/tests/__init__.py
@@ -28,6 +28,7 @@ from xmodule.mako_module import MakoDescriptorSystem
 from xmodule.error_module import ErrorDescriptor
 from xmodule.modulestore import ModuleStoreEnum
 from xmodule.modulestore.mongo.draft import DraftModuleStore
+from xmodule.modulestore.xml import CourseLocationManager
 from xmodule.modulestore.draft_and_published import DIRECT_ONLY_CATEGORIES, ModuleStoreDraftAndPublished
 
 
@@ -51,9 +52,16 @@ class TestModuleSystem(ModuleSystem):  # pylint: disable=abstract-method
     """
     ModuleSystem for testing
     """
+    def __init__(self, **kwargs):
+        id_manager = CourseLocationManager(kwargs['course_id'])
+        kwargs.setdefault('id_reader', id_manager)
+        kwargs.setdefault('id_generator', id_manager)
+        kwargs.setdefault('services', {}).setdefault('field-data', DictFieldData({}))
+        super(TestModuleSystem, self).__init__(**kwargs)
+
     def handler_url(self, block, handler, suffix='', query='', thirdparty=False):
         return '{usage_id}/{handler}{suffix}?{query}'.format(
-            usage_id=block.scope_ids.usage_id.to_deprecated_string(),
+            usage_id=unicode(block.scope_ids.usage_id),
             handler=handler,
             suffix=suffix,
             query=query,
@@ -61,10 +69,14 @@ class TestModuleSystem(ModuleSystem):  # pylint: disable=abstract-method
 
     def local_resource_url(self, block, uri):
         return 'resource/{usage_id}/{uri}'.format(
-            usage_id=block.scope_ids.usage_id.to_deprecated_string(),
+            usage_id=unicode(block.scope_ids.usage_id),
             uri=uri,
         )
 
+    # Disable XBlockAsides in most tests
+    def get_asides(self, block):
+        return []
+
 
 def get_test_system(course_id=SlashSeparatedCourseKey('org', 'course', 'run')):
     """
@@ -113,13 +125,16 @@ def get_test_descriptor_system():
     """
     Construct a test DescriptorSystem instance.
     """
+    field_data = DictFieldData({})
+
     return MakoDescriptorSystem(
         load_item=Mock(),
         resources_fs=Mock(),
         error_tracker=Mock(),
         render_template=mock_render_template,
         mixins=(InheritanceMixin, XModuleMixin),
-        field_data=DictFieldData({}),
+        field_data=field_data,
+        services={'field-data': field_data},
     )
 
 
@@ -149,13 +164,8 @@ class LogicTest(unittest.TestCase):
     raw_field_data = {}
 
     def setUp(self):
-        class EmptyClass:
-            """Empty object."""
-            url_name = ''
-            category = 'test'
-
         self.system = get_test_system()
-        self.descriptor = EmptyClass()
+        self.descriptor = Mock(name="descriptor", url_name='', category='test')
 
         self.xmodule_class = self.descriptor_class.module_class
         usage_key = self.system.course_id.make_usage_key(self.descriptor.category, 'test_loc')
diff --git a/common/lib/xmodule/xmodule/tests/test_conditional.py b/common/lib/xmodule/xmodule/tests/test_conditional.py
index bc20075704..373388a7ac 100644
--- a/common/lib/xmodule/xmodule/tests/test_conditional.py
+++ b/common/lib/xmodule/xmodule/tests/test_conditional.py
@@ -8,7 +8,7 @@ from xblock.field_data import DictFieldData
 from xblock.fields import ScopeIds
 from xmodule.error_module import NonStaffErrorDescriptor
 from opaque_keys.edx.locations import SlashSeparatedCourseKey, Location
-from xmodule.modulestore.xml import ImportSystem, XMLModuleStore, CourseLocationGenerator
+from xmodule.modulestore.xml import ImportSystem, XMLModuleStore, CourseLocationManager
 from xmodule.conditional_module import ConditionalDescriptor
 from xmodule.tests import DATA_DIR, get_test_system, get_test_descriptor_system
 from xmodule.x_module import STUDENT_VIEW
@@ -60,7 +60,7 @@ class ConditionalFactory(object):
             source_descriptor = NonStaffErrorDescriptor.from_xml(
                 'some random xml data',
                 system,
-                id_generator=CourseLocationGenerator(SlashSeparatedCourseKey('edX', 'conditional_test', 'test_run')),
+                id_generator=CourseLocationManager(source_location.course_key),
                 error_msg='random error message'
             )
         else:
diff --git a/common/lib/xmodule/xmodule/tests/test_error_module.py b/common/lib/xmodule/xmodule/tests/test_error_module.py
index 85c28de7ca..ddb9207576 100644
--- a/common/lib/xmodule/xmodule/tests/test_error_module.py
+++ b/common/lib/xmodule/xmodule/tests/test_error_module.py
@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@ Tests for ErrorModule and NonStaffErrorModule
 import unittest
 from xmodule.tests import get_test_system
 from xmodule.error_module import ErrorDescriptor, ErrorModule, NonStaffErrorDescriptor
-from xmodule.modulestore.xml import CourseLocationGenerator
+from xmodule.modulestore.xml import CourseLocationManager
 from opaque_keys.edx.locations import SlashSeparatedCourseKey, Location
 from xmodule.x_module import XModuleDescriptor, XModule, STUDENT_VIEW
 from mock import MagicMock, Mock, patch
@@ -34,7 +34,7 @@ class TestErrorModule(unittest.TestCase, SetupTestErrorModules):
         descriptor = ErrorDescriptor.from_xml(
             self.valid_xml,
             self.system,
-            CourseLocationGenerator(self.course_id),
+            CourseLocationManager(self.course_id),
             self.error_msg
         )
         self.assertIsInstance(descriptor, ErrorDescriptor)
@@ -69,7 +69,7 @@ class TestNonStaffErrorModule(unittest.TestCase, SetupTestErrorModules):
         descriptor = NonStaffErrorDescriptor.from_xml(
             self.valid_xml,
             self.system,
-            CourseLocationGenerator(self.course_id)
+            CourseLocationManager(self.course_id)
         )
         self.assertIsInstance(descriptor, NonStaffErrorDescriptor)
 
@@ -77,7 +77,7 @@ class TestNonStaffErrorModule(unittest.TestCase, SetupTestErrorModules):
         descriptor = NonStaffErrorDescriptor.from_xml(
             self.valid_xml,
             self.system,
-            CourseLocationGenerator(self.course_id)
+            CourseLocationManager(self.course_id)
         )
         descriptor.xmodule_runtime = self.system
         context_repr = self.system.render(descriptor, STUDENT_VIEW).content
diff --git a/common/lib/xmodule/xmodule/tests/xml/__init__.py b/common/lib/xmodule/xmodule/tests/xml/__init__.py
index 599fa49840..534d3d3d4c 100644
--- a/common/lib/xmodule/xmodule/tests/xml/__init__.py
+++ b/common/lib/xmodule/xmodule/tests/xml/__init__.py
@@ -7,7 +7,7 @@ from unittest import TestCase
 
 from xmodule.x_module import XMLParsingSystem, policy_key
 from xmodule.mako_module import MakoDescriptorSystem
-from xmodule.modulestore.xml import create_block_from_xml, CourseLocationGenerator
+from xmodule.modulestore.xml import create_block_from_xml, CourseLocationManager
 from opaque_keys.edx.locations import SlashSeparatedCourseKey, Location
 
 from xblock.runtime import KvsFieldData, DictKeyValueStore
@@ -43,7 +43,7 @@ class InMemorySystem(XMLParsingSystem, MakoDescriptorSystem):  # pylint: disable
         descriptor = create_block_from_xml(
             xml,
             self,
-            CourseLocationGenerator(self.course_id),
+            CourseLocationManager(self.course_id),
         )
         self._descriptors[descriptor.location.to_deprecated_string()] = descriptor
         return descriptor
diff --git a/common/lib/xmodule/xmodule/x_module.py b/common/lib/xmodule/xmodule/x_module.py
index 5332296e15..5b96721153 100644
--- a/common/lib/xmodule/xmodule/x_module.py
+++ b/common/lib/xmodule/xmodule/x_module.py
@@ -18,12 +18,13 @@ from webob.multidict import MultiDict
 from xblock.core import XBlock
 from xblock.fields import Scope, Integer, Float, List, XBlockMixin, String, Dict
 from xblock.fragment import Fragment
-from xblock.runtime import Runtime, IdReader
+from xblock.runtime import Runtime, IdReader, IdGenerator
 from xmodule.fields import RelativeTime
 
 from xmodule.errortracker import exc_info_to_str
 from xmodule.modulestore.exceptions import ItemNotFoundError
 from opaque_keys.edx.keys import UsageKey
+from opaque_keys.edx.asides import AsideUsageKeyV1, AsideDefinitionKeyV1
 from xmodule.exceptions import UndefinedContext
 import dogstats_wrapper as dog_stats_api
 
@@ -65,7 +66,7 @@ class OpaqueKeyReader(IdReader):
         Returns:
             The `definition_id` the usage is derived from
         """
-        return usage_id.definition_key
+        raise NotImplementedError("Specific Modulestores must implement get_definition_id")
 
     def get_block_type(self, def_id):
         """Retrieve the block_type of a particular definition
@@ -78,6 +79,91 @@ class OpaqueKeyReader(IdReader):
         """
         return def_id.block_type
 
+    def get_usage_id_from_aside(self, aside_id):
+        """
+        Retrieve the XBlock `usage_id` associated with this aside usage id.
+
+        Args:
+            aside_id: The usage id of the XBlockAside.
+
+        Returns:
+            The `usage_id` of the usage the aside is commenting on.
+        """
+        return aside_id.usage_key
+
+    def get_definition_id_from_aside(self, aside_id):
+        """
+        Retrieve the XBlock `definition_id` associated with this aside definition id.
+
+        Args:
+            aside_id: The usage id of the XBlockAside.
+
+        Returns:
+            The `definition_id` of the usage the aside is commenting on.
+        """
+        return aside_id.definition_key
+
+    def get_aside_type_from_usage(self, aside_id):
+        """
+        Retrieve the XBlockAside `aside_type` associated with this aside
+        usage id.
+
+        Args:
+            aside_id: The usage id of the XBlockAside.
+
+        Returns:
+            The `aside_type` of the aside.
+        """
+        return aside_id.aside_type
+
+    def get_aside_type_from_definition(self, aside_id):
+        """
+        Retrieve the XBlockAside `aside_type` associated with this aside
+        definition id.
+
+        Args:
+            aside_id: The definition id of the XBlockAside.
+
+        Returns:
+            The `aside_type` of the aside.
+        """
+        return aside_id.aside_type
+
+
+class AsideKeyGenerator(IdGenerator):  # pylint: disable=abstract-method
+    """
+    An :class:`.IdGenerator` that only provides facilities for constructing new XBlockAsides.
+    """
+    def create_aside(self, definition_id, usage_id, aside_type):
+        """
+        Make a new aside definition and usage ids, indicating an :class:`.XBlockAside` of type `aside_type`
+        commenting on an :class:`.XBlock` usage `usage_id`
+
+        Returns:
+            (aside_definition_id, aside_usage_id)
+        """
+        def_key = AsideDefinitionKeyV1(definition_id, aside_type)
+        usage_key = AsideUsageKeyV1(usage_id, aside_type)
+        return (def_key, usage_key)
+
+    def create_usage(self, def_id):
+        """Make a usage, storing its definition id.
+
+        Returns the newly-created usage id.
+        """
+        raise NotImplementedError("Specific Modulestores must provide implementations of create_usage")
+
+    def create_definition(self, block_type, slug=None):
+        """Make a definition, storing its block type.
+
+        If `slug` is provided, it is a suggestion that the definition id
+        incorporate the slug somehow.
+
+        Returns the newly-created definition id.
+
+        """
+        raise NotImplementedError("Specific Modulestores must provide implementations of create_definition")
+
 
 def dummy_track(_event_type, _event):
     pass
@@ -160,6 +246,8 @@ class XModuleMixin(XBlockMixin):
     Adding this Mixin to an :class:`XBlock` allows it to cooperate with old-style :class:`XModules`
     """
 
+    entry_point = "xmodule.v1"
+
     # Attributes for inspection of the descriptor
 
     # This indicates whether the xmodule is a problem-type.
@@ -526,6 +614,7 @@ class XModule(XModuleMixin, HTMLSnippet, XBlock):  # pylint: disable=abstract-me
         field_data: A dictionary-like object that maps field names to values
             for those fields.
         """
+
         # Set the descriptor first so that we can proxy to it
         self.descriptor = descriptor
         super(XModule, self).__init__(*args, **kwargs)
@@ -715,7 +804,6 @@ class XModuleDescriptor(XModuleMixin, HTMLSnippet, ResourceTemplates, XBlock):
     create a problem, and can generate XModules (which do know about student
     state).
     """
-    entry_point = "xmodule.v1"
     module_class = XModule
 
     # VS[compat].  Backwards compatibility code that can go away after
@@ -997,7 +1085,7 @@ class XModuleDescriptor(XModuleMixin, HTMLSnippet, ResourceTemplates, XBlock):
 
 class ConfigurableFragmentWrapper(object):  # pylint: disable=abstract-method
     """
-    Runtime mixin that allows for composition of many `wrap_child` wrappers
+    Runtime mixin that allows for composition of many `wrap_xblock` wrappers
     """
     def __init__(self, wrappers=None, **kwargs):
         """
@@ -1013,7 +1101,7 @@ class ConfigurableFragmentWrapper(object):  # pylint: disable=abstract-method
         else:
             self.wrappers = []
 
-    def wrap_child(self, block, view, frag, context):
+    def wrap_xblock(self, block, view, frag, context):
         """
         See :func:`Runtime.wrap_child`
         """
@@ -1043,6 +1131,16 @@ def descriptor_global_local_resource_url(block, uri):  # pylint: disable=invalid
     raise NotImplementedError("Applications must monkey-patch this function before using local_resource_url for studio_view")
 
 
+# This function exists to give applications (LMS/CMS) a place to monkey-patch until
+# we can refactor modulestore to split out the FieldData half of its interface from
+# the Runtime part of its interface. This function matches the Runtime.get_asides interface
+def descriptor_global_get_asides(block):  # pylint: disable=unused-argument
+    """
+    See :meth:`xblock.runtime.Runtime.get_asides`.
+    """
+    raise NotImplementedError("Applications must monkey-patch this function before using get_asides from a DescriptorSystem.")
+
+
 class MetricsMixin(object):
     """
     Mixin for adding metric logging for render and handle methods in the DescriptorSystem and ModuleSystem.
@@ -1137,7 +1235,9 @@ class DescriptorSystem(MetricsMixin, ConfigurableFragmentWrapper, Runtime):  # p
         local_resource_url: an implementation of :meth:`xblock.runtime.Runtime.local_resource_url`
 
         """
-        super(DescriptorSystem, self).__init__(id_reader=OpaqueKeyReader(), **kwargs)
+        kwargs.setdefault('id_reader', OpaqueKeyReader())
+        kwargs.setdefault('id_generator', AsideKeyGenerator())
+        super(DescriptorSystem, self).__init__(**kwargs)
 
         # This is used by XModules to write out separate files during xml export
         self.export_fs = None
@@ -1215,6 +1315,19 @@ class DescriptorSystem(MetricsMixin, ConfigurableFragmentWrapper, Runtime):  # p
             # global function that the application can override.
             return descriptor_global_local_resource_url(block, uri)
 
+    def get_asides(self, block):
+        """
+        See :meth:`xblock.runtime.Runtime:get_asides` for documentation.
+        """
+        if getattr(block, 'xmodule_runtime', None) is not None:
+            return block.xmodule_runtime.get_asides(block)
+        else:
+            # Currently, Modulestore is responsible for instantiating DescriptorSystems
+            # This means that LMS/CMS don't have a way to define a subclass of DescriptorSystem
+            # that implements the correct get_asides. So, for now, instead, we will reference a
+            # global function that the application can override.
+            return descriptor_global_get_asides(block)
+
     def resource_url(self, resource):
         """
         See :meth:`xblock.runtime.Runtime:resource_url` for documentation.
@@ -1335,7 +1448,9 @@ class ModuleSystem(MetricsMixin, ConfigurableFragmentWrapper, Runtime):  # pylin
 
         # Usage_store is unused, and field_data is often supplanted with an
         # explicit field_data during construct_xblock.
-        super(ModuleSystem, self).__init__(id_reader=OpaqueKeyReader(), field_data=field_data, **kwargs)
+        kwargs.setdefault('id_reader', getattr(descriptor_runtime, 'id_reader', OpaqueKeyReader()))
+        kwargs.setdefault('id_generator', getattr(descriptor_runtime, 'id_generator', AsideKeyGenerator()))
+        super(ModuleSystem, self).__init__(field_data=field_data, **kwargs)
 
         self.STATIC_URL = static_url
         self.xqueue = xqueue
@@ -1373,6 +1488,9 @@ class ModuleSystem(MetricsMixin, ConfigurableFragmentWrapper, Runtime):  # pylin
         self.descriptor_runtime = descriptor_runtime
         self.rebind_noauth_module_to_user = rebind_noauth_module_to_user
 
+        if user:
+            self.user_id = user.id
+
     def get(self, attr):
         """	provide uniform access to attributes (like etree)."""
         return self.__dict__.get(attr)
diff --git a/common/static/coffee/spec/xblock/core_spec.coffee b/common/static/coffee/spec/xblock/core_spec.coffee
index 7df6fbf263..7e7c1e081a 100644
--- a/common/static/coffee/spec/xblock/core_spec.coffee
+++ b/common/static/coffee/spec/xblock/core_spec.coffee
@@ -35,7 +35,7 @@ describe "XBlock", ->
       window.initFnZ = jasmine.createSpy()
 
       @fakeChildren = ['list', 'of', 'children']
-      spyOn(XBlock, 'initializeBlocks').andReturn(@fakeChildren)
+      spyOn(XBlock, 'initializeXBlocks').andReturn(@fakeChildren)
 
       @vANode = $('#vA')[0]
       @vZNode = $('#vZ')[0]
@@ -50,8 +50,8 @@ describe "XBlock", ->
       expect(TestRuntime.vZ).toHaveBeenCalledWith()
 
     it "loads the right init function", ->
-      expect(window.initFnA).toHaveBeenCalledWith(@runtimeA, @vANode)
-      expect(window.initFnZ).toHaveBeenCalledWith(@runtimeZ, @vZNode)
+      expect(window.initFnA).toHaveBeenCalledWith(@runtimeA, @vANode, {})
+      expect(window.initFnZ).toHaveBeenCalledWith(@runtimeZ, @vZNode, {})
 
     it "loads when missing versions", ->
       expect(@missingVersionBlock.element).toBe($('#missing-version'))
@@ -74,8 +74,8 @@ describe "XBlock", ->
       expect(@missingInitBlock.element).toBe($('#missing-init')[0])
 
     it "passes through the request token", ->
-      expect(XBlock.initializeBlocks).toHaveBeenCalledWith($(@vANode), 'req-token-a')
-      expect(XBlock.initializeBlocks).toHaveBeenCalledWith($(@vZNode), 'req-token-z')
+      expect(XBlock.initializeXBlocks).toHaveBeenCalledWith($(@vANode), 'req-token-a')
+      expect(XBlock.initializeXBlocks).toHaveBeenCalledWith($(@vZNode), 'req-token-z')
 
 
   describe "initializeBlocks", ->
diff --git a/common/static/coffee/src/xblock/core.coffee b/common/static/coffee/src/xblock/core.coffee
deleted file mode 100644
index bafcff97c9..0000000000
--- a/common/static/coffee/src/xblock/core.coffee
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,57 +0,0 @@
-@XBlock =
-  Runtime: {}
-
-  ###
-  Initialize the javascript for a single xblock element, and for all of it's
-  xblock children that match requestToken. If requestToken is omitted, use the
-  data-request-token attribute from element, or use the request-tokens specified on
-  the children themselves.
-  ###
-  initializeBlock: (element, requestToken) ->
-    $element = $(element)
-    requestToken = requestToken or $element.data('request-token')
-    children = @initializeBlocks($element, requestToken)
-    runtime = $element.data("runtime-class")
-    version = $element.data("runtime-version")
-    initFnName = $element.data("init")
-    $element.prop('xblock_children', children)
-    if runtime? and version? and initFnName?
-      runtime = new window[runtime]["v#{version}"]
-      initFn = window[initFnName]
-      if initFn.length > 2
-        initargs = $(".xblock_json_init_args", element)
-        if initargs.length == 0
-          console.log("Warning: XBlock expects data parameters")
-        data = JSON.parse(initargs.text())
-        block = initFn(runtime, element, data) ? {}
-      else
-        block = initFn(runtime, element) ? {}
-      block.runtime = runtime
-    else
-      elementTag = $('<div>').append($element.clone()).html();
-      console.log("Block #{elementTag} is missing data-runtime, data-runtime-version or data-init, and can't be initialized")
-      block = {}
-
-    block.element = element
-    block.name = $element.data("name")
-    block.type = $element.data("block-type")
-
-    $element.trigger("xblock-initialized")
-    $element.data("initialized", true)
-    $element.addClass("xblock-initialized")
-    block
-
-  ###
-  Initialize all XBlocks inside element that were rendered with requestToken.
-  If requestToken is omitted, and element has a 'data-request-token' attribute, use that.
-  If neither is available, then use the request tokens of the immediateDescendent xblocks.
-  ###
-  initializeBlocks: (element, requestToken) ->
-    requestToken = requestToken or $(element).data('request-token')
-    if requestToken
-      selector = ".xblock[data-request-token='#{requestToken}']"
-    else
-      selector = ".xblock"
-    $(element).immediateDescendents(selector).map((idx, elem) =>
-      @initializeBlock(elem, requestToken)
-    ).toArray()
diff --git a/common/static/js/xblock/core.js b/common/static/js/xblock/core.js
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..ffef2b2762
--- /dev/null
+++ b/common/static/js/xblock/core.js
@@ -0,0 +1,142 @@
+(function($, JSON) {
+
+    'use strict';
+
+    function initializeBlockLikes(block_class, initializer, element, requestToken) {
+        var requestToken = requestToken || $(element).data('request-token');
+        if (requestToken) {
+            var selector = '.' + block_class + '[data-request-token="' + requestToken + '"]';
+        } else {
+            var selector = '.' + block_class;
+        }
+        return $(element).immediateDescendents(selector).map(function(idx, elem) {
+            return initializer(elem, requestToken);
+        }).toArray();
+    }
+
+    function elementRuntime(element) {
+        var $element = $(element);
+        var runtime = $element.data('runtime-class');
+        var version = $element.data('runtime-version');
+        var initFnName = $element.data('init');
+
+        if (runtime && version && initFnName) {
+            return new window[runtime]['v' + version];
+        } else {
+            if (!runtime || !version || !initFnName) {
+                var elementTag = $('<div>').append($element.clone()).html();
+                console.log('Block ' + elementTag + ' is missing data-runtime, data-runtime-version or data-init, and can\'t be initialized');
+            }
+            return null;
+        }
+    }
+
+    function initArgs(element) {
+        var initargs = $('.xblock_json_init_args', element).text();
+        return initargs ? JSON.parse(initargs) : {};
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * Construct an XBlock family object from an element. The constructor
+     * function is loaded from the 'data-init' attribute of the element.
+     * The constructor is called with the arguments 'runtime', 'element',
+     * and then all of 'block_args'.
+     */
+    function constructBlock(element, block_args) {
+        var block;
+        var $element = $(element);
+        var runtime = elementRuntime(element);
+
+        block_args.unshift(element);
+        block_args.unshift(runtime);
+
+
+        if (runtime) {
+
+            block = (function() {
+                var initFn = window[$element.data('init')];
+
+                // This create a new constructor that can then apply() the block_args
+                // to the initFn.
+                function Block() {
+                    return initFn.apply(this, block_args);
+                }
+                Block.prototype = initFn.prototype;
+
+                return new Block();
+            })();
+            block.runtime = runtime;
+        } else {
+            block = {};
+        }
+        block.element = element;
+        block.name = $element.data('name');
+        block.type = $element.data('block-type');
+        $element.trigger('xblock-initialized');
+        $element.data('initialized', true);
+        $element.addClass('xblock-initialized');
+        return block;
+    }
+
+    var XBlock = {
+        Runtime: {},
+
+        /**
+         * Initialize the javascript for a single xblock element, and for all of it's
+         * xblock children that match requestToken. If requestToken is omitted, use the
+         * data-request-token attribute from element, or use the request-tokens specified on
+         * the children themselves.
+         */
+        initializeBlock: function(element, requestToken) {
+            var $element = $(element);
+
+            var requestToken = requestToken || $element.data('request-token');
+            var children = XBlock.initializeXBlocks($element, requestToken);
+            $element.prop('xblock_children', children);
+
+            return constructBlock(element, [initArgs(element)]);
+        },
+
+        /**
+         * Initialize the javascript for a single xblock aside element that matches requestToken.
+         * If requestToken is omitted, use the data-request-token attribute from element, or use
+         * the request-tokens specified on the children themselves.
+         */
+        initializeAside: function(element, requestToken) {
+            var blockUsageId = $(element).data('block-id');
+            var blockElement = $(element).siblings('[data-usage-id="' + blockUsageId + '"]')[0];
+            return constructBlock(element, [blockElement, initArgs(element)]);
+        },
+
+        /**
+         * Initialize all XBlocks inside element that were rendered with requestToken.
+         * If requestToken is omitted, and element has a 'data-request-token' attribute, use that.
+         * If neither is available, then use the request tokens of the immediateDescendent xblocks.
+         */
+        initializeXBlocks: function(element, requestToken) {
+            return initializeBlockLikes('xblock', XBlock.initializeBlock, element, requestToken);
+        },
+
+        /**
+         * Initialize all XBlockAsides inside element that were rendered with requestToken.
+         * If requestToken is omitted, and element has a 'data-request-token' attribute, use that.
+         * If neither is available, then use the request tokens of the immediateDescendent xblocks.
+         */
+        initializeXBlockAsides: function(element, requestToken) {
+            return initializeBlockLikes('xblock_asides-v1', XBlock.initializeAside, element, requestToken);
+        },
+
+        /**
+         * Initialize all XBlock-family blocks inside element that were rendered with requestToken.
+         * If requestToken is omitted, and element has a 'data-request-token' attribute, use that.
+         * If neither is available, then use the request tokens of the immediateDescendent xblocks.
+         */
+        initializeBlocks: function(element, requestToken) {
+            XBlock.initializeXBlockAsides(element, requestToken);
+            return XBlock.initializeXBlocks(element, requestToken);
+        }
+    };
+
+    this.XBlock = XBlock;
+
+}).call(this, $, JSON);
diff --git a/common/static/js_test.yml b/common/static/js_test.yml
index b83c3f6bd1..fc4f9dfac3 100644
--- a/common/static/js_test.yml
+++ b/common/static/js_test.yml
@@ -45,6 +45,7 @@ lib_paths:
 
 # Paths to source JavaScript files
 src_paths:
+    - js/xblock
     - coffee/src
     - js/src
     - js/utils
diff --git a/common/test/acceptance/pages/studio/container.py b/common/test/acceptance/pages/studio/container.py
index 81f7c7dab7..e65d55146f 100644
--- a/common/test/acceptance/pages/studio/container.py
+++ b/common/test/acceptance/pages/studio/container.py
@@ -51,7 +51,7 @@ class ContainerPage(PageObject):
                 num_wrappers = len(self.q(css='{} [data-request-token="{}"]'.format(XBlockWrapper.BODY_SELECTOR, request_token)).results)
                 # Wait until all components have been loaded and marked as either initialized or failed.
                 # See:
-                #   - common/static/coffee/src/xblock/core.coffee which adds the class "xblock-initialized"
+                #   - common/static/js/xblock/core.js which adds the class "xblock-initialized"
                 #     at the end of initializeBlock.
                 #   - common/static/js/views/xblock.js which adds the class "xblock-initialization-failed"
                 #     if the xblock threw an error while initializing.
diff --git a/common/test/acceptance/tests/lms/test_lms_acid_xblock.py b/common/test/acceptance/tests/lms/test_lms_acid_xblock.py
index 2aaacdb486..14fd06b496 100644
--- a/common/test/acceptance/tests/lms/test_lms_acid_xblock.py
+++ b/common/test/acceptance/tests/lms/test_lms_acid_xblock.py
@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@
 End-to-end tests for the LMS.
 """
 
-from unittest import skip
+from unittest import expectedFailure
 
 from ..helpers import UniqueCourseTest
 from ...pages.lms.auto_auth import AutoAuthPage
@@ -44,17 +44,6 @@ class XBlockAcidBase(UniqueCourseTest):
         self.assertTrue(acid_block.scope_passed('preferences'))
         self.assertTrue(acid_block.scope_passed('user_info'))
 
-    def test_acid_block(self):
-        """
-        Verify that all expected acid block tests pass in the lms.
-        """
-
-        self.course_info_page.visit()
-        self.tab_nav.go_to_tab('Courseware')
-
-        acid_block = AcidView(self.browser, '.xblock-student_view[data-block-type=acid]')
-        self.validate_acid_block_view(acid_block)
-
 
 class XBlockAcidNoChildTest(XBlockAcidBase):
     """
@@ -81,7 +70,15 @@ class XBlockAcidNoChildTest(XBlockAcidBase):
         ).install()
 
     def test_acid_block(self):
-        super(XBlockAcidNoChildTest, self).test_acid_block()
+        """
+        Verify that all expected acid block tests pass in the lms.
+        """
+
+        self.course_info_page.visit()
+        self.tab_nav.go_to_tab('Courseware')
+
+        acid_block = AcidView(self.browser, '.xblock-student_view[data-block-type=acid]')
+        self.validate_acid_block_view(acid_block)
 
 
 class XBlockAcidChildTest(XBlockAcidBase):
@@ -129,3 +126,46 @@ class XBlockAcidChildTest(XBlockAcidBase):
 
         acid_block = AcidView(self.browser, '.xblock-student_view[data-block-type=acid]')
         self.validate_acid_block_view(acid_block)
+
+
+class XBlockAcidAsideTest(XBlockAcidBase):
+    """
+    Tests of an AcidBlock with children
+    """
+    __test__ = True
+
+    def setup_fixtures(self):
+        course_fix = CourseFixture(
+            self.course_info['org'],
+            self.course_info['number'],
+            self.course_info['run'],
+            self.course_info['display_name']
+        )
+
+        course_fix.add_children(
+            XBlockFixtureDesc('chapter', 'Test Section').add_children(
+                XBlockFixtureDesc('sequential', 'Test Subsection').add_children(
+                    XBlockFixtureDesc('vertical', 'Test Unit').add_children(
+                        XBlockFixtureDesc('acid', 'Acid Block')
+                    )
+                )
+            )
+        ).install()
+
+    @expectedFailure
+    def test_acid_block(self):
+        """
+        Verify that all expected acid block tests pass in the lms.
+        """
+
+        self.course_info_page.visit()
+        self.tab_nav.go_to_tab('Courseware')
+
+        acid_aside = AcidView(self.browser, '.xblock_asides-v1-student_view[data-block-type=acid_aside]')
+        self.validate_acid_aside_view(acid_aside)
+
+        acid_block = AcidView(self.browser, '.xblock-student_view[data-block-type=acid]')
+        self.validate_acid_block_view(acid_block)
+
+    def validate_acid_aside_view(self, acid_aside):
+        self.validate_acid_block_view(acid_aside)
diff --git a/lms/djangoapps/courseware/model_data.py b/lms/djangoapps/courseware/model_data.py
index 5173b427cb..eb0993ee4e 100644
--- a/lms/djangoapps/courseware/model_data.py
+++ b/lms/djangoapps/courseware/model_data.py
@@ -12,16 +12,17 @@ from .models import (
     XModuleStudentInfoField
 )
 import logging
-from opaque_keys.edx.locations import SlashSeparatedCourseKey, Location
-from opaque_keys.edx.keys import CourseKey, UsageKey
+from opaque_keys.edx.keys import CourseKey
+from opaque_keys.edx.block_types import BlockTypeKeyV1
+from opaque_keys.edx.asides import AsideUsageKeyV1
 
 from django.db import DatabaseError
-from django.contrib.auth.models import User
 
 from xblock.runtime import KeyValueStore
 from xblock.exceptions import KeyValueMultiSaveError, InvalidScopeError
 from xblock.fields import Scope, UserScope
 from xmodule.modulestore.django import modulestore
+from xblock.core import XBlockAside
 
 log = logging.getLogger(__name__)
 
@@ -46,7 +47,7 @@ class FieldDataCache(object):
     A cache of django model objects needed to supply the data
     for a module and its decendants
     """
-    def __init__(self, descriptors, course_id, user, select_for_update=False):
+    def __init__(self, descriptors, course_id, user, select_for_update=False, asides=None):
         '''
         Find any courseware.models objects that are needed by any descriptor
         in descriptors. Attempts to minimize the number of queries to the database.
@@ -58,11 +59,17 @@ class FieldDataCache(object):
         course_id: The id of the current course
         user: The user for which to cache data
         select_for_update: True if rows should be locked until end of transaction
+        asides: The list of aside types to load, or None to prefetch no asides.
         '''
         self.cache = {}
         self.descriptors = descriptors
         self.select_for_update = select_for_update
 
+        if asides is None:
+            self.asides = []
+        else:
+            self.asides = asides
+
         assert isinstance(course_id, CourseKey)
         self.course_id = course_id
         self.user = user
@@ -75,7 +82,7 @@ class FieldDataCache(object):
     @classmethod
     def cache_for_descriptor_descendents(cls, course_id, user, descriptor, depth=None,
                                          descriptor_filter=lambda descriptor: True,
-                                         select_for_update=False):
+                                         select_for_update=False, asides=None):
         """
         course_id: the course in the context of which we want StudentModules.
         user: the django user for whom to load modules.
@@ -113,7 +120,7 @@ class FieldDataCache(object):
         with modulestore().bulk_operations(descriptor.location.course_key):
             descriptors = get_child_descriptors(descriptor, depth, descriptor_filter)
 
-        return FieldDataCache(descriptors, course_id, user, select_for_update)
+        return FieldDataCache(descriptors, course_id, user, select_for_update, asides=asides)
 
     def _query(self, model_class, **kwargs):
         """
@@ -140,6 +147,35 @@ class FieldDataCache(object):
         )
         return res
 
+    @property
+    def _all_usage_ids(self):
+        """
+        Return a set of all usage_ids for the descriptors that this FieldDataCache is caching
+        against, and well as all asides for those descriptors.
+        """
+        usage_ids = set()
+        for descriptor in self.descriptors:
+            usage_ids.add(descriptor.scope_ids.usage_id)
+
+            for aside_type in self.asides:
+                usage_ids.add(AsideUsageKeyV1(descriptor.scope_ids.usage_id, aside_type))
+
+        return usage_ids
+
+    @property
+    def _all_block_types(self):
+        """
+        Return a set of all block_types that are cached by this FieldDataCache.
+        """
+        block_types = set()
+        for descriptor in self.descriptors:
+            block_types.add(BlockTypeKeyV1(descriptor.entry_point, descriptor.scope_ids.block_type))
+
+        for aside_type in self.asides:
+            block_types.add(BlockTypeKeyV1(XBlockAside.entry_point, aside_type))
+
+        return block_types
+
     def _retrieve_fields(self, scope, fields):
         """
         Queries the database for all of the fields in the specified scope
@@ -148,7 +184,7 @@ class FieldDataCache(object):
             return self._chunked_query(
                 StudentModule,
                 'module_state_key__in',
-                (descriptor.scope_ids.usage_id for descriptor in self.descriptors),
+                self._all_usage_ids,
                 course_id=self.course_id,
                 student=self.user.pk,
             )
@@ -156,14 +192,14 @@ class FieldDataCache(object):
             return self._chunked_query(
                 XModuleUserStateSummaryField,
                 'usage_id__in',
-                (descriptor.scope_ids.usage_id for descriptor in self.descriptors),
+                self._all_usage_ids,
                 field_name__in=set(field.name for field in fields),
             )
         elif scope == Scope.preferences:
             return self._chunked_query(
                 XModuleStudentPrefsField,
                 'module_type__in',
-                set(descriptor.scope_ids.block_type for descriptor in self.descriptors),
+                self._all_block_types,
                 student=self.user.pk,
                 field_name__in=set(field.name for field in fields),
             )
@@ -195,7 +231,7 @@ class FieldDataCache(object):
         elif key.scope == Scope.user_state_summary:
             return (key.scope, key.block_scope_id, key.field_name)
         elif key.scope == Scope.preferences:
-            return (key.scope, key.block_scope_id, key.field_name)
+            return (key.scope, BlockTypeKeyV1(key.block_family, key.block_scope_id), key.field_name)
         elif key.scope == Scope.user_info:
             return (key.scope, key.field_name)
 
@@ -239,31 +275,28 @@ class FieldDataCache(object):
             return field_object
 
         if key.scope == Scope.user_state:
-            # When we start allowing block_scope_ids to be either Locations or Locators,
-            # this assertion will fail. Fix the code here when that happens!
-            assert(isinstance(key.block_scope_id, UsageKey))
-            field_object, _ = StudentModule.objects.get_or_create(
+            field_object, __ = StudentModule.objects.get_or_create(
                 course_id=self.course_id,
                 student_id=key.user_id,
                 module_state_key=key.block_scope_id,
                 defaults={
                     'state': json.dumps({}),
-                    'module_type': key.block_scope_id.category,
+                    'module_type': key.block_scope_id.block_type,
                 },
             )
         elif key.scope == Scope.user_state_summary:
-            field_object, _ = XModuleUserStateSummaryField.objects.get_or_create(
+            field_object, __ = XModuleUserStateSummaryField.objects.get_or_create(
                 field_name=key.field_name,
                 usage_id=key.block_scope_id
             )
         elif key.scope == Scope.preferences:
-            field_object, _ = XModuleStudentPrefsField.objects.get_or_create(
+            field_object, __ = XModuleStudentPrefsField.objects.get_or_create(
                 field_name=key.field_name,
-                module_type=key.block_scope_id,
+                module_type=BlockTypeKeyV1(key.block_family, key.block_scope_id),
                 student_id=key.user_id,
             )
         elif key.scope == Scope.user_info:
-            field_object, _ = XModuleStudentInfoField.objects.get_or_create(
+            field_object, __ = XModuleStudentInfoField.objects.get_or_create(
                 field_name=key.field_name,
                 student_id=key.user_id,
             )
diff --git a/lms/djangoapps/courseware/models.py b/lms/djangoapps/courseware/models.py
index b246e6f8c4..56818d4e2e 100644
--- a/lms/djangoapps/courseware/models.py
+++ b/lms/djangoapps/courseware/models.py
@@ -18,7 +18,7 @@ from django.db import models
 from django.db.models.signals import post_save
 from django.dispatch import receiver
 
-from xmodule_django.models import CourseKeyField, LocationKeyField
+from xmodule_django.models import CourseKeyField, LocationKeyField, BlockTypeKeyField
 
 
 class StudentModule(models.Model):
@@ -36,10 +36,7 @@ class StudentModule(models.Model):
     ## These three are the key for the object
     module_type = models.CharField(max_length=32, choices=MODULE_TYPES, default='problem', db_index=True)
 
-    # Key used to share state. By default, this is the module_id,
-    # but for abtests and the like, this can be set to a shared value
-    # for many instances of the module.
-    # Filename for homeworks, etc.
+    # Key used to share state. This is the XBlock usage_id
     module_state_key = LocationKeyField(max_length=255, db_index=True, db_column='module_id')
     student = models.ForeignKey(User, db_index=True)
 
@@ -150,7 +147,7 @@ class XBlockFieldBase(models.Model):
         return u'{}<{!r}'.format(
             self.__class__.__name__,
             {
-                key:getattr(self, key)
+                key: getattr(self, key)
                 for key in self._meta.get_all_field_names()
                 if key not in ('created', 'modified')
             }
@@ -174,11 +171,11 @@ class XModuleStudentPrefsField(XBlockFieldBase):
     Stores data set in the Scope.preferences scope by an xmodule field
     """
 
-    class Meta:
+    class Meta:  # pylint: disable=missing-docstring
         unique_together = (('student', 'module_type', 'field_name'),)
 
     # The type of the module for these preferences
-    module_type = models.CharField(max_length=64, db_index=True)
+    module_type = BlockTypeKeyField(max_length=64, db_index=True)
 
     student = models.ForeignKey(User, db_index=True)
 
diff --git a/lms/djangoapps/courseware/module_render.py b/lms/djangoapps/courseware/module_render.py
index 6294f46f00..07c4d15d38 100644
--- a/lms/djangoapps/courseware/module_render.py
+++ b/lms/djangoapps/courseware/module_render.py
@@ -23,6 +23,7 @@ from courseware.masquerade import setup_masquerade
 from courseware.model_data import FieldDataCache, DjangoKeyValueStore
 from lms.djangoapps.lms_xblock.field_data import LmsFieldData
 from lms.djangoapps.lms_xblock.runtime import LmsModuleSystem, unquote_slashes, quote_slashes
+from lms.djangoapps.lms_xblock.models import XBlockAsidesConfig
 from edxmako.shortcuts import render_to_string
 from eventtracking import tracker
 from psychometrics.psychoanalyze import make_psychometrics_data_update_handler
@@ -405,7 +406,8 @@ def get_module_system_for_user(user, field_data_cache,
         field_data_cache_real_user = FieldDataCache.cache_for_descriptor_descendents(
             course_id,
             real_user,
-            module.descriptor
+            module.descriptor,
+            asides=XBlockAsidesConfig.possible_asides(),
         )
 
         (inner_system, inner_student_data) = get_module_system_for_user(
@@ -496,6 +498,8 @@ def get_module_system_for_user(user, field_data_cache,
     else:
         anonymous_student_id = anonymous_id_for_user(user, None)
 
+    field_data = LmsFieldData(descriptor._field_data, student_data)  # pylint: disable=protected-access
+
     system = LmsModuleSystem(
         track_function=track_function,
         render_template=render_to_string,
@@ -541,11 +545,13 @@ def get_module_system_for_user(user, field_data_cache,
         services={
             'i18n': ModuleI18nService(),
             'fs': xblock.reference.plugins.FSService(),
+            'field-data': field_data,
         },
         get_user_role=lambda: get_user_role(user, course_id),
         descriptor_runtime=descriptor.runtime,
         rebind_noauth_module_to_user=rebind_noauth_module_to_user,
         user_location=user_location,
+        request_token=request_token,
     )
 
     # pass position specified in URL to module through ModuleSystem
@@ -572,7 +578,7 @@ def get_module_system_for_user(user, field_data_cache,
     else:
         system.error_descriptor_class = NonStaffErrorDescriptor
 
-    return system, student_data
+    return system, field_data
 
 
 def get_module_for_descriptor_internal(user, descriptor, field_data_cache, course_id,  # pylint: disable=invalid-name
@@ -594,7 +600,7 @@ def get_module_for_descriptor_internal(user, descriptor, field_data_cache, cours
         if not has_access(user, 'load', descriptor, course_id):
             return None
 
-    (system, student_data) = get_module_system_for_user(
+    (system, field_data) = get_module_system_for_user(
         user=user,
         field_data_cache=field_data_cache,  # These have implicit user bindings, the rest of args are considered not to
         descriptor=descriptor,
@@ -609,7 +615,7 @@ def get_module_for_descriptor_internal(user, descriptor, field_data_cache, cours
         request_token=request_token
     )
 
-    descriptor.bind_for_student(system, LmsFieldData(descriptor._field_data, student_data))  # pylint: disable=protected-access
+    descriptor.bind_for_student(system, field_data)  # pylint: disable=protected-access
     descriptor.scope_ids = descriptor.scope_ids._replace(user_id=user.id)  # pylint: disable=protected-access
     return descriptor
 
diff --git a/lms/djangoapps/courseware/tests/test_model_data.py b/lms/djangoapps/courseware/tests/test_model_data.py
index f1a680da96..f7e74b9568 100644
--- a/lms/djangoapps/courseware/tests/test_model_data.py
+++ b/lms/djangoapps/courseware/tests/test_model_data.py
@@ -16,9 +16,10 @@ from courseware.tests.factories import UserStateSummaryFactory
 from courseware.tests.factories import StudentPrefsFactory, StudentInfoFactory
 
 from xblock.fields import Scope, BlockScope, ScopeIds
+from xblock.exceptions import KeyValueMultiSaveError
+from xblock.core import XBlock
 from django.test import TestCase
 from django.db import DatabaseError
-from xblock.exceptions import KeyValueMultiSaveError
 
 
 def mock_field(scope, name):
@@ -29,7 +30,7 @@ def mock_field(scope, name):
 
 
 def mock_descriptor(fields=[]):
-    descriptor = Mock()
+    descriptor = Mock(entry_point=XBlock.entry_point)
     descriptor.scope_ids = ScopeIds('user1', 'mock_problem', location('def_id'), location('usage_id'))
     descriptor.module_class.fields.values.return_value = fields
     descriptor.fields.values.return_value = fields
diff --git a/lms/djangoapps/courseware/views.py b/lms/djangoapps/courseware/views.py
index d452d7a3a7..802c3ef917 100644
--- a/lms/djangoapps/courseware/views.py
+++ b/lms/djangoapps/courseware/views.py
@@ -39,6 +39,8 @@ from .module_render import toc_for_course, get_module_for_descriptor, get_module
 from courseware.models import StudentModule, StudentModuleHistory
 from course_modes.models import CourseMode
 
+from lms.djangoapps.lms_xblock.models import XBlockAsidesConfig
+
 from open_ended_grading import open_ended_notifications
 from student.models import UserTestGroup, CourseEnrollment
 from student.views import single_course_reverification_info, is_course_blocked
@@ -444,7 +446,8 @@ def _index_bulk_op(request, course_key, chapter, section, position):
             # Load all descendants of the section, because we're going to display its
             # html, which in general will need all of its children
             section_field_data_cache = FieldDataCache.cache_for_descriptor_descendents(
-                course_key, user, section_descriptor, depth=None)
+                course_key, user, section_descriptor, depth=None, asides=XBlockAsidesConfig.possible_asides()
+            )
 
             # Verify that position a string is in fact an int
             if position is not None:
diff --git a/lms/djangoapps/instructor/views/instructor_dashboard.py b/lms/djangoapps/instructor/views/instructor_dashboard.py
index 7a2ed19fad..492558d274 100644
--- a/lms/djangoapps/instructor/views/instructor_dashboard.py
+++ b/lms/djangoapps/instructor/views/instructor_dashboard.py
@@ -18,6 +18,7 @@ from django.utils.html import escape
 from django.http import Http404
 from django.conf import settings
 from util.json_request import JsonResponse
+from mock import patch
 
 from lms.djangoapps.lms_xblock.runtime import quote_slashes
 from xmodule_modifiers import wrap_xblock
@@ -323,17 +324,28 @@ def _section_data_download(course, access):
     return section_data
 
 
+def null_get_asides(block):  # pylint: disable=unused-argument
+    """
+    get_aside method for monkey-patching into descriptor_global_get_asides
+    while rendering an HtmlDescriptor for email text editing. This returns
+    an empty list.
+    """
+    return []
+
+
 def _section_send_email(course, access):
     """ Provide data for the corresponding bulk email section """
     course_key = course.id
 
-    # This HtmlDescriptor is only being used to generate a nice text editor.
-    html_module = HtmlDescriptor(
-        course.system,
-        DictFieldData({'data': ''}),
-        ScopeIds(None, None, None, course_key.make_usage_key('html', 'fake'))
-    )
-    fragment = course.system.render(html_module, 'studio_view')
+    # Monkey-patch descriptor_global_get_asides to return no asides for the duration of this render
+    with patch('xmodule.x_module.descriptor_global_get_asides', null_get_asides):
+        # This HtmlDescriptor is only being used to generate a nice text editor.
+        html_module = HtmlDescriptor(
+            course.system,
+            DictFieldData({'data': ''}),
+            ScopeIds(None, None, None, course_key.make_usage_key('html', 'fake'))
+        )
+        fragment = course.system.render(html_module, 'studio_view')
     fragment = wrap_xblock(
         'LmsRuntime', html_module, 'studio_view', fragment, None,
         extra_data={"course-id": unicode(course_key)},
diff --git a/lms/djangoapps/lms_xblock/admin.py b/lms/djangoapps/lms_xblock/admin.py
index 451903245c..81ba9d67fc 100644
--- a/lms/djangoapps/lms_xblock/admin.py
+++ b/lms/djangoapps/lms_xblock/admin.py
@@ -1,3 +1,7 @@
+"""
+Django admin dashboard configuration for LMS XBlock infrastructure.
+"""
+
 from django.contrib import admin
 from config_models.admin import ConfigurationModelAdmin
 from lms.djangoapps.lms_xblock.models import XBlockAsidesConfig
diff --git a/lms/djangoapps/lms_xblock/field_data.py b/lms/djangoapps/lms_xblock/field_data.py
index e26897b884..c8d4e0ea90 100644
--- a/lms/djangoapps/lms_xblock/field_data.py
+++ b/lms/djangoapps/lms_xblock/field_data.py
@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@ class LmsFieldData(SplitFieldData):
     def __init__(self, authored_data, student_data):
         # Make sure that we don't repeatedly nest LmsFieldData instances
         if isinstance(authored_data, LmsFieldData):
-            authored_data = authored_data._authored_data  # pylint: disable=protected-member
+            authored_data = authored_data._authored_data  # pylint: disable=protected-access
         else:
             authored_data = ReadOnlyFieldData(authored_data)
 
diff --git a/lms/djangoapps/lms_xblock/models.py b/lms/djangoapps/lms_xblock/models.py
index 8d04dbae95..bffe8ebf27 100644
--- a/lms/djangoapps/lms_xblock/models.py
+++ b/lms/djangoapps/lms_xblock/models.py
@@ -1,7 +1,18 @@
+"""
+Models used by LMS XBlock infrastructure.
+
+Includes:
+    XBlockAsidesConfig: A ConfigurationModel for managing how XBlockAsides are
+        rendered in the LMS.
+"""
+
 from django.db.models import TextField
 
 from config_models.models import ConfigurationModel
 
+from xblock.core import XBlockAside
+
+
 class XBlockAsidesConfig(ConfigurationModel):
     """
     Configuration for XBlockAsides.
@@ -11,3 +22,10 @@ class XBlockAsidesConfig(ConfigurationModel):
         default="about course_info static_tab",
         help_text="Space-separated list of XBlocks on which XBlockAsides should never render."
     )
+
+    @classmethod
+    def possible_asides(cls):
+        """
+        Return a list of all asides that are enabled across all XBlocks.
+        """
+        return [aside_type for aside_type, __ in XBlockAside.load_classes()]
diff --git a/lms/djangoapps/lms_xblock/runtime.py b/lms/djangoapps/lms_xblock/runtime.py
index f96a157acf..1cad66d8d5 100644
--- a/lms/djangoapps/lms_xblock/runtime.py
+++ b/lms/djangoapps/lms_xblock/runtime.py
@@ -7,7 +7,9 @@ import xblock.reference.plugins
 
 from django.core.urlresolvers import reverse
 from django.conf import settings
+from lms.djangoapps.lms_xblock.models import XBlockAsidesConfig
 from openedx.core.djangoapps.user_api.api import course_tag as user_course_tag_api
+from xblock.core import XBlockAside
 from xmodule.modulestore.django import modulestore
 from xmodule.x_module import ModuleSystem
 from xmodule.partitions.partitions_service import PartitionService
@@ -87,8 +89,8 @@ class LmsHandlerUrls(object):
             view_name = 'xblock_handler_noauth'
 
         url = reverse(view_name, kwargs={
-            'course_id': self.course_id.to_deprecated_string(),
-            'usage_id': quote_slashes(block.scope_ids.usage_id.to_deprecated_string().encode('utf-8')),
+            'course_id': unicode(self.course_id),
+            'usage_id': quote_slashes(unicode(block.scope_ids.usage_id).encode('utf-8')),
             'handler': handler_name,
             'suffix': suffix,
         })
@@ -198,4 +200,50 @@ class LmsModuleSystem(LmsHandlerUrls, ModuleSystem):  # pylint: disable=abstract
             track_function=kwargs.get('track_function', None),
         )
         services['fs'] = xblock.reference.plugins.FSService()
+        self.request_token = kwargs.pop('request_token', None)
         super(LmsModuleSystem, self).__init__(**kwargs)
+
+    def wrap_aside(self, block, aside, view, frag, context):
+        """
+        Creates a div which identifies the aside, points to the original block,
+        and writes out the json_init_args into a script tag.
+
+        The default implementation creates a frag to wraps frag w/ a div identifying the xblock. If you have
+        javascript, you'll need to override this impl
+        """
+        extra_data = {
+            'block-id': quote_slashes(unicode(block.scope_ids.usage_id)),
+            'url-selector': 'asideBaseUrl',
+            'runtime-class': 'LmsRuntime',
+        }
+        if self.request_token:
+            extra_data['request-token'] = self.request_token
+
+        return self._wrap_ele(
+            aside,
+            view,
+            frag,
+            extra_data,
+        )
+
+    def get_asides(self, block):
+        """
+        Return all of the asides which might be decorating this `block`.
+
+        Arguments:
+            block (:class:`.XBlock`): The block to render retrieve asides for.
+        """
+
+        config = XBlockAsidesConfig.current()
+
+        if not config.enabled:
+            return []
+
+        if block.scope_ids.block_type in config.disabled_blocks.split():
+            return []
+
+        return [
+            self.get_aside_of_type(block, aside_type)
+            for aside_type, __
+            in XBlockAside.load_classes()
+        ]
diff --git a/lms/djangoapps/lms_xblock/test/test_runtime.py b/lms/djangoapps/lms_xblock/test/test_runtime.py
index 3345fbcc57..e4218e0c58 100644
--- a/lms/djangoapps/lms_xblock/test/test_runtime.py
+++ b/lms/djangoapps/lms_xblock/test/test_runtime.py
@@ -10,6 +10,7 @@ from unittest import TestCase
 from urlparse import urlparse
 from opaque_keys.edx.locations import SlashSeparatedCourseKey
 from lms.djangoapps.lms_xblock.runtime import quote_slashes, unquote_slashes, LmsModuleSystem
+from xblock.fields import ScopeIds
 
 TEST_STRINGS = [
     '',
@@ -42,8 +43,7 @@ class TestHandlerUrl(TestCase):
     """Test the LMS handler_url"""
 
     def setUp(self):
-        self.block = Mock()
-        self.block.scope_ids.usage_id.to_deprecated_string.return_value.encode.return_value = 'dummy'
+        self.block = Mock(name='block', scope_ids=ScopeIds(None, None, None, 'dummy'))
         self.course_key = SlashSeparatedCourseKey("org", "course", "run")
         self.runtime = LmsModuleSystem(
             static_url='/static',
diff --git a/lms/djangoapps/open_ended_grading/tests.py b/lms/djangoapps/open_ended_grading/tests.py
index 85ae8e4258..5f97ec2afa 100644
--- a/lms/djangoapps/open_ended_grading/tests.py
+++ b/lms/djangoapps/open_ended_grading/tests.py
@@ -21,7 +21,7 @@ from xblock.fields import ScopeIds
 
 from courseware.tests import factories
 from courseware.tests.helpers import LoginEnrollmentTestCase
-from lms.lib.xblock.runtime import LmsModuleSystem
+from lms.djangoapps.lms_xblock.runtime import LmsModuleSystem
 from student.roles import CourseStaffRole
 from student.models import unique_id_for_user
 from xmodule import peer_grading_module
diff --git a/lms/envs/common.py b/lms/envs/common.py
index a8b1c25012..9ed7ecd771 100644
--- a/lms/envs/common.py
+++ b/lms/envs/common.py
@@ -1165,7 +1165,7 @@ PIPELINE_JS = {
     'application': {
 
         # Application will contain all paths not in courseware_only_js
-        'source_filenames': sorted(common_js) + sorted(project_js) + [
+        'source_filenames': ['js/xblock/core.js'] + sorted(common_js) + sorted(project_js) + [
             'js/form.ext.js',
             'js/my_courses_dropdown.js',
             'js/toggle_login_modal.js',
@@ -1514,6 +1514,8 @@ INSTALLED_APPS = (
 
     # Surveys
     'survey',
+
+    'lms.djangoapps.lms_xblock',
 )
 
 ######################### MARKETING SITE ###############################
diff --git a/lms/static/js/spec/main.js b/lms/static/js/spec/main.js
index 3242093e3d..10532bc80b 100644
--- a/lms/static/js/spec/main.js
+++ b/lms/static/js/spec/main.js
@@ -49,7 +49,7 @@
             'tender': '//edxedge.tenderapp.com/tender_widget',
             'coffee/src/ajax_prefix': 'xmodule_js/common_static/coffee/src/ajax_prefix',
             'xmodule_js/common_static/js/test/add_ajax_prefix': 'xmodule_js/common_static/js/test/add_ajax_prefix',
-            'xblock/core': 'xmodule_js/common_static/coffee/src/xblock/core',
+            'xblock/core': 'xmodule_js/common_static/js/xblock/core',
             'xblock/runtime.v1': 'xmodule_js/common_static/coffee/src/xblock/runtime.v1',
             'xblock/lms.runtime.v1': 'coffee/src/xblock/lms.runtime.v1',
             'capa/display': 'xmodule_js/src/capa/display',
diff --git a/lms/static/js_test.yml b/lms/static/js_test.yml
index 410c92032c..e5fbda003a 100644
--- a/lms/static/js_test.yml
+++ b/lms/static/js_test.yml
@@ -45,6 +45,7 @@ lib_paths:
     - xmodule_js/common_static/js/vendor/jQuery-File-Upload/js/jquery.iframe-transport.js
     - xmodule_js/common_static/js/vendor/url.min.js
     - xmodule_js/common_static/coffee/src/jquery.immediateDescendents.js
+    - xmodule_js/common_static/js/xblock
     - xmodule_js/common_static/coffee/src/xblock
     - xmodule_js/common_static/js/vendor/sinon-1.7.1.js
     - xmodule_js/src/capa/
diff --git a/lms/static/js_test_coffee.yml b/lms/static/js_test_coffee.yml
index 9c5b118d7a..4e257f9e66 100644
--- a/lms/static/js_test_coffee.yml
+++ b/lms/static/js_test_coffee.yml
@@ -42,6 +42,7 @@ lib_paths:
     - xmodule_js/common_static/js/vendor/CodeMirror/codemirror.js
     - xmodule_js/common_static/js/vendor/URI.min.js
     - xmodule_js/common_static/coffee/src/jquery.immediateDescendents.js
+    - xmodule_js/common_static/js/xblock
     - xmodule_js/common_static/coffee/src/xblock
     - xmodule_js/src/capa/
     - xmodule_js/src/video/
diff --git a/pylintrc b/pylintrc
index aa77522d5b..f92ec1806a 100644
--- a/pylintrc
+++ b/pylintrc
@@ -137,6 +137,8 @@ generated-members=
     category,
     name,
     revision,
+# For django models
+    _meta,
 
 [BASIC]
 
diff --git a/requirements/edx/github.txt b/requirements/edx/github.txt
index 50e1477e54..830db725d7 100644
--- a/requirements/edx/github.txt
+++ b/requirements/edx/github.txt
@@ -22,16 +22,16 @@
 git+https://github.com/mitocw/django-cas.git@60a5b8e5a62e63e0d5d224a87f0b489201a0c695#egg=django-cas
 
 # Our libraries:
--e git+https://github.com/edx/XBlock.git@2029af2a4b524310847decfb34ef39da8a30dc4e#egg=XBlock
+-e git+https://github.com/edx/XBlock.git@9c634481dfc85a17dcb3351ca232d7098a38e10e#egg=XBlock
 -e git+https://github.com/edx/codejail.git@75307b25032d8b0040b1408c01fd6cc9a1989bd5#egg=codejail
 -e git+https://github.com/edx/diff-cover.git@v0.7.2#egg=diff_cover
 -e git+https://github.com/edx/js-test-tool.git@v0.1.6#egg=js_test_tool
 -e git+https://github.com/edx/event-tracking.git@0.1.0#egg=event-tracking
 -e git+https://github.com/edx/bok-choy.git@4a259e3548a19e41cc39433caf68ea58d10a27ba#egg=bok_choy
 -e git+https://github.com/edx-solutions/django-splash.git@7579d052afcf474ece1239153cffe1c89935bc4f#egg=django-splash
--e git+https://github.com/edx/acid-block.git@df1a7f0cae46567c251d507b8c72168aed8ec042#egg=acid-xblock
+-e git+https://github.com/edx/acid-block.git@e46f9cda8a03e121a00c7e347084d142d22ebfb7#egg=acid-xblock
 -e git+https://github.com/edx/edx-ora2.git@release-2014-10-27T19.33#egg=edx-ora2
--e git+https://github.com/edx/opaque-keys.git@b12401384921c075e5a4ed7aedc3bea57f56ec32#egg=opaque-keys
+-e git+https://github.com/edx/opaque-keys.git@1254ed4d615a428591850656f39f26509b86d30a#egg=opaque-keys
 -e git+https://github.com/edx/ease.git@97de68448e5495385ba043d3091f570a699d5b5f#egg=ease
 -e git+https://github.com/edx/i18n-tools.git@56f048af9b6868613c14aeae760548834c495011#egg=i18n-tools
 -e git+https://github.com/edx/edx-oauth2-provider.git@0.4.0#egg=oauth2-provider