Student Debates

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Student Debates

• EPALL 2008
• Rosanna Loya
• Michael Saenz

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How to Get Started?

• To familiarize students with the debate process
  we
• Watched School Tube video debates
• Modeled a simple debate
• Which is better? A car or a truck?

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How to Get Started?

• Begin with a simple topic
• Which Job Is Better?
• Divide class into two groups
• Assign each group a side to debate
• Each group writes 5 reasons to support their
  point of view
• Teacher/Student pairs debate each other

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Student Debates Begin

• Begin with a simple topic
• Which Job Is Better?
• Divide class into equal numbered groups
• Assign each group a job to debate
• Each group writes 5 reasons to support their
  point of view about the job
• Each group prepares their two selected debaters
• Each debate team should be multi-level
• Encourage students to use transitional phrases to
  emphasize their views see handout

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Debate Schedule

• Week One
• Which Job is Better?
• Week Two
• Which Job is Better?
• Week Three
• Presidential Debate

• Monday Tuesday
• Practice/Prep. 3 Debates
• Practice/Prep. 3 Debates
• Practice/Prep. 3 Debates

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Presidential Debate

• Teacher assigns candidate and issues to each
  group
• Groups research on the internet
• Preparation and practice required more teacher
  support
• Stronger students were chosen for this more
  complicated debate

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What worked?

• Students were actively engaged and enjoyed
  listening to the debates
• Built community between levels
• Students learned about relevant issues
• Students used higher order of thinking to present
  their views
• Students used transitional phrases effectively
• It was fun!

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What could have gone better?

• Avoid topics related to politics or religion
• Remind students it is not about winning
• Keep it friendly before, during and after
• Make everybody look good
• Clearly specify instructions
• Set time limit for each point
• Decide if there will be counterpoints

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Lets Debate!

• Cash or Credit
• Paper or Plastic
• Grass or Rock
• Corn or Flour

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Special Thanks To

• On Presidential Debate Video
• Velia Hernandez Jose Garcia
• Graciela Leon Liliana Ortiz
• Todays Guest Students
• Isela Ortiz Berny Marquez
• Maria Lara Jose Garcia
• Jesus Teran