Heidi+Bolin

=__** Biography: **__= Hey Ashley!

My name is Heidi Bolin, and I am a seventh grade ELA teacher at James Island Middle School. I have been teaching for 8 years. I've taught 5 years of ELA in 6th grade and 3 years of ELA in 7th grade.

My husband, daughter, and I moved here from Pittsburgh, PA, in 2000. I absolutely love it here. I do miss home from time to time, but I can't complain about a surprise weekend in Charleston of 80 degrees during the winter.

I live on James Island, and I am a regular visitor of Folly Beach! I have 2 fabulous dogs and 1 very smart cat. Both of my dogs are Australian Shepherds; one is 15 years old and the other is 10 months. They bring me so much happiness.

My daughter is 17 and a student at James Island Charter High School. She recently earned her drivers license which means I need to share my truck since she can't drive dad's little roadster. My husband is an architect for a local firm downtown Charleston.

We are extremely happy here, but love that there are Steelers fans everywhere!!!

=__**Personal Reflection:**__=

Prior to this course, I had no knowledge of video moviemaker. I found the program to be rather user friendly, and once I had my idea, it did not take me long to put together a presentation for my students which relates directly to our standards. Through the use of video and music, I hope to engage the students on the topic. Since I am a seventh grade English Language Arts teacher, I believe moviemaker will be something the students will enjoy using either in my presentations of the material or their own personal projects. I intend to use it throughout the year to present various topics and have the students use it to create a presentation every quarter of one novel of their choice which they have read for a project grade. They can present their project at anytime throughout the nine week grading period. I don't believe they need to wait till the end. If they love a book and are excited about it, then they should be able to present while they still have the thrill from reading their novel. I feel this is a useful tool because students have so much technology at their fingertips daily, including cell phones, ereaders, ipads, ipods, and video games. We as educators need to help incorporate those features into our classrooms. It no longer is passing out a handout, completing, and discussing. We need to find ways for them to interact via the computer. I believe it is what they enjoy and understand. I will continue to challenge myself to learn new technology techniques to further engage my students.

=__**Storyboard:**__=



=__**Student Project Plan:**__=



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