Middle School Debate 101

Learning Goal & Scale

4 I apply the concepts I learn in Middle School Debate 101 in order to conduct a successful a debate in my classroom.

3 * I understand how to prepare my students for a debate and how to implement the strategy in my classroom using what I have learned in Middle School Debate 101.

2 I understand that debate can help improve my students’ reading, writing, speaking, listening, and research skills. I have conducted debates with my students, but I am looking for more information about how to implement the strategy. 

1 I understand that debate can help improve my students’ reading, writing, speaking, listening and research skills, but I’m not sure how to implement the strategy in my classroom.

Using Debate to Meet the Common Core Standards

• RL1 Cite the textual evidence that most strongly supports an analysis of what the text says explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text.

• RI 8 Delineate and evaluate the argument and specific claims in a text, assessing whether the reasoning is sound and the evidence is relevant and sufficient; recognize when irrelevant evidence is introduced.

• RI 9 Analyze a case in which two or more texts provide conflicting information on the same topic and identify where the texts disagree on matters of fact or interpretation.

• W1 Write arguments to support claims with clear reasons and relevant evidence.

• W8 Gather relevant information from multiple print and digital sources, using search terms effectively; assess the credibility and accuracy of each source, and quote or paraphrase the data and conclusions of others while avoiding plagiarism and following a standard format for citation.

• SL 3 Delineate a speaker’s argument and specific claims, evaluating the soundness of the reasoning and relevance and sufficiency of the evidence and identifying when irrelevant evidence is introduced.

• SL4 Present claims and findings, emphasizing salient points in a focused, coherent manner with relevant evidence, sound valid reasoning, and well-chosen details; use appropriate eye contact, adequate volume, and clear pronunciation.

Depth of Knowledge

Planning Overview

• Week 1: The Language of Debate and Sample Debate

• Week 2: Argument and Counter Argument

• Week 3-4: Research

• Week 5-6: Conduct Debates

Week #1: The Language of Debate and Sample Debate

• Middle School Public Debate Program. (See Appendix A.)

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SHJzJSQ360A

• http://www.middleschooldebate.com/resources/studentresources.htm

• The Language of Debate. (See Appendix B.)

Week #2: Argument & Counter-Argument

• Logos, pathos, and ethos

https://www.teachingchannel.org/videos/ethos-pathos-logos

• Practice arguing and counter-arguing with Andrew McCuaig’s “The Wallet.” (See Appendix C.)

Week 3-5: Research

• Three person teams (Constructive Speaker 1, Constructive Speaker 2, and Rebuttal Speaker)

• Research technique

https://www.teachingchannel.org/videos/analyzing-websites-with-students

• Utilize Debatabase Junior!! http://idebate.org/debatabase

• Provide guidance for research and time for practice.

Week 6: Time to Debate!!

• Review note-taking policies.

• Discuss speech etiquette.

• To invite parents or not to invite parents?

• Provide a rubric.

• Mini-Debate: Florida School Allows Cell Phones in Class