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Courtesy Photo
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| Matthew Gray, left, in his classroom with Charles Rejrat. Mr. Gray is a social studies teacher at Mary E. Moss Academy.
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Social studies teacher takes a journey through history
By CHARLES REJRAT, Mary E. Moss Academy
Let me introduce you to one of my favorite teachers, Matthew Gray, who teaches social studies at Mary E. Moss Academy. I wanted to find out a little more about Mr. Gray, so I interviewed him. It was interesting to learn about how he prepared for his teaching career, his thoughts about history, significant historical events, time travel and what he does when he is not teaching.
Mr. Gray went to Towson University in Baltimore where he studied to be a history major. After this training, one of the jobs that he fell into was teaching kids about U.S. as well as world history.
I asked him if he thought that history repeats itself and first he said 'Yes, in some cases it does. For example, the Roman Empire had massive stadiums and now we have large stadiums. It also repeats itself in some cases with slight differences. For example, some societies built with stone versus metal.'
He then added, 'No, history does not repeat itself, because there are many events that will most likely never be repeated. For example, the start-up of a totally new religion is less likely to happen. Historical events sometimes seem like they are repeating themselves, but the details are so different that they are not the same.'
I asked Mr. Gray what he thinks is the single most changing moment in history and why. He said 'The invention of the printing press. This caused a mass amount of books to be available from that time period on for anybody could learn to read. It caused changes all over the world. There are thousands of other events that I would place as equally important.'
There is one more question that I asked him: 'If you could travel back in time, where would you go and why?' Mr. Gray responded, 'The Byzantine Empire, because culturally they are very similar to me in the way of religion and language and they have great weather, food and sports. Education was very important, especially in the years 400 to 1453 A.D.'
Now Mr. Gray is in graduate school to receive a master's degree, which he hopes to complete this summer.
For fun, Mr. Gray likes to read, go out to eat and hang out with his friends.
These activities balance out the rigor and effort he puts into his professional life and into his own education. It is a pleasure knowing Mr. Gray, even for this short period of time, and interviewing him.
Stay out of trouble with positive teen activities
By RAMONA JONES, Mary E. Moss Academy
A multitude of options exist that are of interest to students to participate in during their spare time. I think that teens should probably go to church and participate in some of the church activities such as singing in the choir and Bible study to help keep their minds occupied.
A part-time job is another positive activity for teens. For example, if teens are old enough, teens can baby-sit or work with small children. I can connect because my brother used to get into trouble often and now he does a lot of activities such as football, works a part-time job at Wendy's and is enrolled in driving class. In addition, he's an honor roll student.
Other positive things that our teens can participate in today are activities that improve their ability to follow directions such as helping young children play games and getting them involved in sports. I think that if teens do positive things now, when they have children of their own, they are more apt to have positive influences on their children. I can connect because I now have a child and I'm trying to do the best that I can to go to school and to church and get my life straight.
Teens can keep themselves involved in productive activities such as hanging out with positive people and shopping at the mall. Going to concerts and doing things with their family are other positive choices. Teens can also help students with their goals in life to be successful in life and to achieve academically as well as socially.
Another positive activity is to make arts and crafts. I can connect to this because one time my friend was about to get into some trouble and wanted me to go, too. I thought about it seriously and quickly realized that it wasn't even worth it, so I just went inside the house and made some bracelets which kept my mind off negative thoughts and on the right things. Doing arts and crafts with young children can also help them to be more involved in growing their creative skills as well as provide productive, fun time for the teen.
So I think that teens should take my advice, because it's not worth getting into trouble and there are so many positive possibilities for teens instead. The positive spare time activities for teens are endless.
Smart Boards help to make the classroom interactive
By DANIELLE MOORE, Mary E. Moss Academy
'The Smart Board interactive whiteboard turns your computer and projector into a powerful tool for teaching, collaborating and presenting.'
Smart Board, a product of Smart Technologies, Inc., is a type of interactive whiteboard that projects what you see on your computer's desktop onto the Smart Board screen.
Anyone using the Smart Board then touches programs and documents to open them. Users may also pick up a pen from the Smart Board tray and make notations in a variety of colors to make information stand out and become more visible. Smart Boards have been around since 1991 and seem to be here to stay!
Smart Boards make it easier to learn since they get students more eager to do their work and it helps them to pay attention.
I use a Smart Board in one of my classes and it helps me to attend and to understand the lesson better. In my opinion, the Smart Board is easier to interact with and write on, in comparison to a chalk board. The markers you use on a Smart Board won't write on anything else, which is another helpful feature.
Finally, Smart Boards are a good learning tool and are improving student learning more and more each day. Mary E. Moss Academy has several Smart Boards that are used to deliver instruction in English, math, science, health and social studies classes. One of my classmates recently said, 'You don't have to go back and forth to the board when you use a Smart Board.'
Another classmate said, 'It makes learning fun. You don't have to use paper and pencils and you can zoom in and out with the remote.'
One of my teachers said that Smart Boards create an online planner and organizer for developing and interacting with effective, state-of-the-art lessons.
Academy students have adventures at Arlington Echo
By MAURICE, Mary E. Moss Academy
Have you ever been on an Arlington Echo Adventure?
Arlington Echo is one of the outdoor education centers owned and operated by Anne Arundel County Public Schools.
Teachers and staff, from both Arlington Echo and from the visiting school, do all they can to help us get to Arlington Echo and to participate in an experience you wouldn't want to miss!
Many types of fun activities abound at Arlington Echo. I know from experience because I've visited Arlington Echo a few times and every time I have gone, I enjoyed myself.
The multitude of activities include wall climbing, tire swinging, canoeing, hiking and planting trees, as well as several other engaging activities that are part of an initiative and confidence course that helps you to rely more upon yourself and others.
Mary E. Moss Academy students are eligible to go almost every Monday, based on certain expectations that have to be met. Students must have good attendance, appropriate behavior and a signed permission slip.
Arlington Echo adventures support state and school system goals and add to what students learn in content areas. The outdoor education program correlates to approved, grade level curriculum.
All Mary E. Moss Academy students that have attended the Arlington Echo trips have enjoyed them, according to the positive feedback they have given.
Ms. Bozel, a Mary E. Moss Academy staff member, coordinates the frequent Arlington Echo adventures, supported by Steve Barry, coordinator of environmental and outdoor education for Anne Arundel County Public Schools, and his staff of experts.
According to Ms. Bozel, 'An Arlington Echo experience is an exciting adventure in which students can thrive in an alternative, educational setting.
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Courtesy photo
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| Cody Asuncion sits with Jane Daugherty, his guitar instructor.
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Playing guitar a cool hobby
By CODY ASUNCION, Mary E. Moss Academy
Playing guitar is a good hobby to have, especially if you like music and challenges. Guitars can also be fun and very educational.
Playing the guitar is a good ego booster and that's why I like it. When I feel down, I can pick up a guitar, start playing and soon I feel a whole lot better, especially when I play songs like 'Sweet Child O' Mine.'
Some challenges come up while learning to play this stringed instrument. Learning to play can be accomplished by either playing by ear or by reading tablature, which includes the six numbered guitar strings that provide musical annotations. You can also learn to read notes. The ability to read sheet music will increase your guitar playing skills and make the challenge of playing more achievable.
The best part when you hang out with your friends and play guitar together. Teaching your friends how to play the guitar or spoiling them by either writing songs or dedicating a special serenade to them makes the instrument even more enjoyable. You could also go online and find new songs to learn or find a couple of friends and start up a band.
Guitar education requires practice: hours and hours of practice! You don't acquire guitar skills overnight. I practice for about two to three hours each day when I am learning new songs and almost that long when I am practicing songs that I already know. As you really get interested in guitar playing, you can take formal lessons with either a private instructor or you can go to a guitar store where these services are offered. Either way, you might want to take lessons from a certified specialist, especially if you want to learn different genres of music.
Jane Daugherty, my guitar teacher, says that 'People who play guitar well are usually good listeners, well-disciplined and may possess good hand and eye coordination. It's a terrific life-long hobby.' She also said that I'm one of her very best students.
Students take trip to National Air and Space Museum
By ED, Mary E. Moss Academy
Recently, Mary E. Moss Academy students, teachers and staff took the first out-of-county field trip in the school's recent history.
The 27 students, along with the school's faculty and staff, left Mary Moss for a historic look at the National Air and Space Museum in Washington, D.C.
The students were amazed by the rockets, spaceships and airplanes. The students saw many interactive exhibits and were able to sit in actual planes. They also saw authentic World War II weapons and uniforms.
The field trip was a good break from everyday school lessons and activities.
Students were able to purchase lunch from places like McDonald's and Pizza Hut. The lunches were expensive but a delicious treat!
The groups, consisting or students and chaperones, were relaxed. The teachers especially enjoyed a different look at their students away from school and away from classroom expectations.
It was a good experience and I think that all Mary Moss students should take advantage of the trip if another one is made available in the future.
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