Length of Activity: ranging from 30 - 45+ minutes (depending on class size)
Materials: a board/ visual aid you can write on and smartphones/laptops (with internet access); alternatively, in an environment with limited internet access, you can prepare packets with information concerning sustainability to hand out to groups
Learning Objectives:
SWBAT engage in critical thinking as they formulate an argument concerning topics in sustainability
SWBAT listen to their classmates for content
SWBAT formulate questions/responses based on their classmate’s argument
Note: students will need clear rules, guidelines and time limits!! Also, this is pretty complicated so check for understanding often!
Steps:
1. Separate students into an even number of teams (depending on class size) of 3-4 students.
2. Once students are situated in their groups, explain that they will soon be engaging in a debate activity. You may need to explain that debate is a type of structured argument. Ask students if they have ever seen a debate on television, in a movie, etc. If it is appropriate for your class, it is optional to show them an example video of a debate (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rcY5A58oIfA).
3. Explain to the students that each team will have an opposing team to debate against. Introduce half the number of debate topics (pertaining to sustainability) as there are groups (for example, if there are 4 groups there are 2 debate topics) and assign each group of students to either argue for or argue against a given topic.
4. Using the board as a visual aid, explain the debate procedure. The debate will have 4 parts. First, each team is expected to present their main argument and some reasons as to why they are right. Second, each team will have the chance to defend their argument and respond to anything the opposing team has stated. Third, each team must finish with a closing statement, summarizing their main point once again. Finally, the teacher and other students will have the chance to ask questions to each team. After this process, the students will vote on who won the debate. Ask comprehension questions!!
5. Tell students to assign these roles among themselves in their groups: debater, researcher, note taker, manager
6. Prompt students to research their topic and find a few main arguing points, taking notes. Also challenge them to consider what the opposing team will argue and how they would refute it.
7. The debate! (strict time limits)
Main Argument (3 minutes per team)
Rebuttal stage ( 2 minutes per team)
Closing statements (3 minutes per team)
Judges questions (2 minutes per team)
8. Students judge winner democratically
9. Repeat steps 7-8 until all groups have gotten the chance to debate
10. Check in with class about thoughts and take-aways after the activity
References:
https://www.fluentu.com/blog/educator-english/esl-debates/
Still To Do:
Prepare several potential topics to argue
Write extremely clear and explicit instructions