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An Introduction To Classroom Debates

This document provides guidelines for organizing classroom debates. It recommends that teachers first ensure students understand what a debate is by providing examples. Teachers should then brainstorm debate topics with students. Next, the class should be divided into two teams, one to argue for and one against the debate topic. Expectations for respectful teamwork should be discussed. Each team then selects a captain and members research arguments. On debate day, teams present their arguments and counter the other team's positions. The goal is a respectful exchange of perspectives on the issue.

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BalongCeleste
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86 views

An Introduction To Classroom Debates

This document provides guidelines for organizing classroom debates. It recommends that teachers first ensure students understand what a debate is by providing examples. Teachers should then brainstorm debate topics with students. Next, the class should be divided into two teams, one to argue for and one against the debate topic. Expectations for respectful teamwork should be discussed. Each team then selects a captain and members research arguments. On debate day, teams present their arguments and counter the other team's positions. The goal is a respectful exchange of perspectives on the issue.

Uploaded by

BalongCeleste
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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An Introduction to Classroom Debates

If you are wondering where to begin when it comes to debating, hopefully this information will be of
assistance! Below you will find a guideline for planning for a classroom debate. If you have any
question/comments or would like to share your own ideas, be sure to email Karen at:
[email protected]

A. Preparing For A Debate?

 Students need to be clear in their understanding of what a debate is!


 Provide students with examples of professional debates (e.g. House of
Commons, Presidential)
 Brainstorm possible debate topics with your students.
 Invite a Debate Team to your class (e.g. highschool students)

Details:

 There is a "For" team and an "Against" team.


 Teams make their arguments FOR or AGAINST a particular statement.

B. Organize The Teams

 Divide your class into two teams.


 Assign one team to be FOR and one team to be AGAINST.

C. Decide Teamwork Expectations:

 Discuss with your class, what the expectations should be for a positive
teamwork experience. (e.g. group rapport, taking turns, respecting the views
of others, keeping noise to a minimum)
 Instruct teams to nominate a team CAPTAIN.
(Responsibilities include: maintaining team discipline and focus, leadership,
being fair and unbiased, delegating group member responsibilities)
 Decide who and how teams will NOMINATE a team Captain (discuss fairness
in nominations, deciding to let your name stand for a nomination, show of
hands, tallies, drawing names from a hat, etc.)
 GROUP MEMBER Responsibilities: to support the captain, plan and research
arguments, participate actively in planning and discussions, collate
information and maintain self-control.

D. Planning The Argument:

 Review Teamwork Expectations and tasks with your students.


 The teacher's role is facilitator . . . monitor each group to assist with
understanding their roles, maintaining focus, brainstorming research topics,
etc.
 After teams have nominated a Captain and brainstormed research topics,
team members should assume responsibility for researching their supporting
topics, using all available resources.
 Once resources have been collected, it is important that each group member
have an opportunity to present their research and materials to the group for
discussion.
 At that point, the group will need to decide if and how that information
should be used, and assist members in supporting their arguments. ( Would
the information contribute to the defence of the argument? )
 Encourage each team to try to conjecture what the other team's arguments
and responses may be, so that team members are as prepared as they can
be!

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