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Teaching Video Clip - Debate Activity from PBS News

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Here are some extra links with ideas and tools to help organize classroom debate!

http://www.educationworld.com/a_lesson/lesson/lesson304.shtml

http://www.niu.edu/facdev/resources/guide/strategies/classroom_debates.pdf

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Once each group have presented both sides of the argument you can have each student pick a controversial topic, do research, and write a paper. By allowing the students to pick and argue a topic they are passionate about you engage them in more critical thinking, while also incorporating their own interests into the lesson.

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After your debate you should have each group prepare research for the opposing position. By having the students defend the opposite position you are engaging them in critical thinking and allowing them to see every angle of the argument.

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Once your students have acquired the appropriate information in order to defend their position it is time to hold an in class debate!

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While covering controversial topics, it is important to create a safe environment for you students. Be sure to set rules and boundaries that allow you students to express their findings in a calm and intellectual way.

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Your students should have 1-2 days to collaborate and find adequate research in order to defend or argue their assigned topic.

*Before beginning the debate process it is important that your students understand what is considered a credible source when defending their topic.

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when it comes to picking the debate topics for your students it is important to consider the age group and maturity level of the students. For example, middle school students could have topics about cell phone use in class, or weather or not fast food should be served in school. While High School students can tackle more difficult topics, such as, gun control, illegal immigration, and stem cell research.

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The students will begin by splitting into groups of 4; there will be one topic per group of 8 students, one group will defend the topic, the other will argue it.