MIDDLE SCHOOLERS GROW AND CONNECT THROUGH “WORKSHOP”
BY GEORGE MORGANIS
Since the Middle School opened its doors in 2016, Workshop has come to define this special part of King’s Academy. Workshop offers fresh opportunities for students to learn more, connect more and bond with each other, according to Dean of the Middle School Zina Nasser. These opportunities vary, from learning how to invest in the stock market, a workshop affectionately known as “Bulls and Bears,” to crochet, digital music-making, debate, and graffiti and street art.
CROCHET
In crochet, students have been learning the fundamentals before moving on to more complex stitches. “After mastering the basics, students have the chance to delve into their creative side and crochet whatever their minds can think of,” says faculty member Tala Adawiya. Adawiya, who learned how to crochet during the pandemic, sees her workshop as a chance for students to develop a growth mindset. “I became an avid crocheter as an adult, so I always try to inspire my students and remind them that failure is a part of picking up new skills and mastering those skills.” From plushie hedgehogs to cat-shaped bookmarks, students have found the workshop to be a great stress-reliever and source of pride. “I enjoy crocheting a lot because you get a feeling of satisfaction when you complete a project or a basic step,” says Maysoon Gaddh ’28.
DIGITAL MUSIC-MAKING
Another creative workshop that students have embraced is digital music-making. Using a purposebuilt digital music studio, students have been transforming songs into remixes, creating their own beats, and publishing their work. “There are many things that I love and enjoy about the digital music-making workshop,” says Leda O’Rourke ’27. “We are learning how to make song beats, the various components of songs, the instruments and skills used, and how to add our own personal style. One amazing thing about the workshop is how creative we can be, and how we can put ourselves into the music.”
GRAFFITI AND STREET ART
The arts also feature prominently in Workshop. In the graffiti and street art workshop, students begin by learning about different types of street art, such as stickers, posters, murals and graffiti, and conclude by spray painting two murals. “This has been a great opportunity and I find it very inspiring to learn about other street artists and techniques,” says Amber Playle ’27.
Tying each of these workshops together is an embrace of a teaching and learning methodology that has come to define the Middle School at King’s, one centered around developing a growth mindset, stepping outside of their comfort zone, and connecting with each other. “Workshops truly represent what the Middle School is all about: letting your creativity and curiosity shine through,” concludes Maysoon Gaddh ’28.
DEBATE
Students have also been challenging themselves in the skills of analysis, synthesis and listening through debate, another new offering this year. “In our modern world, we are so used to just having our own say from behind a screen that we forget to listen,” says faculty member Pieter Jonker. “Suddenly an open debate becomes an educational space where young minds challenge other young minds and conversations develop that are no longer just about proving a point, but also about gaining new perspectives.” Though students are encouraged to gently disagree in this workshop, in this instance, students wholeheartedly agree with Jonker. “The aspect of debate I have enjoyed the most is deeply thinking… these skills are also the same skills that will help me in my future, opening up a whole new range of things I can do for a living when I grow up,” says Hanna Issa ’27.
