Digital @ The Arts Unit Creative Classes
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Learn how to define the topic in a primary school debate
Learn how to define the topic in a primary school debate
Student debating resource developed by The Arts Unit
Years 5 and 6 debating
What will I learn?
What will I learn?
You will:
define a debating topic
analyse your definition
present your definition
reflect on your presentation.
Welcome to the class
Duration: 00:30Before you begin
Before you begin
You will need:
a device to watch the videos (for example, an interactive whiteboard, a computer or a tablet)
paper and a pen for writing.
Worksheet templates are available for download and printing:
Defining a topic in a primary debate (DOCX 326KB)
Giving context and defining the topic in a primary debate (see also below) (DOCX, 324KB).
- Define
How do you define a topic in a primary debate?
Watch the video Defining a topic in a primary debate with Hugh Bartley to find out!
Defining a topic in a primary debate
Duration: 01:04Tonto in Tuscany
Kimberley Lee – Strathfield Girls High School Operation Art
The dog with the golden eyes
Lehon Karube – Waverley Public School Operation Art
The topic you will be defining is:
‘That every class should adopt a dog or a cat as a class pet.’
Individually or with your team, have a go at defining this topic. Use a whiteboard or paper to write down your ideas. Don’t forget to include:
Where will this be happening?
What are the details?
When is this going to start?
If you would like more guidance on how to define this topic, use the template 'Defining a topic in a primary debate' below to help you. If you would like to challenge yourself, have a go at defining the topic without using the template.
Defining a topic in a primary debate.docx2. Analyse
2. Analyse
Watch the video Defining the topic for Hugh’s definition of the topic, ‘That every class should adopt a dog or a cat as a class pet.’
Defining the topic – example
Duration: 03:51Analyse what you have written and compare your definition to Hugh’s.
What did you have in your definition that was the same (or similar) to Hugh?
Did Hugh mention something that you didn’t?
What do you think you need to add to or change in your definition?
Edit your definition accordingly.
Note: it does not need to be exactly the same as Hugh’s, but think of his definition as a good example.
Harley at the park
Isabelle Dang – Strathfield Girls High School Operation Art
Unusual Friends
Alannah Lewis – Narrabeen Sports High SchoolOperation Art
3. Present
3. Present
How should you present your definition in a debate?
The job of presenting the definition falls to the first affirmative speaker (sometimes referred to as '1st Aff'). Giving context and defining the topic is the very first thing that needs to happen in a debate.
Watch the video Giving context and defining the topic in a primary debate as Tony Davey explains how the first affirmative speaker should provide the context and definition at the beginning of a debate.
Giving context and defining the topic in a primary school debate
Duration: 02:39Using your edited definition from the previous task, have a go at presenting the definition.
Stand up and pretend you are the first affirmative speaker opening the debate. Make sure you start with context before you define the topic!
If you would like more help on what to say, use the template 'Giving context and defining the topic in a primary debate' below to help you. If you would like to challenge yourself, have a go at presenting without using the template.
Friendship
Jackson Vooby – Belmont High School Operation Art
Giving context and defining the topic in a primary debate.docx4. Reflect
4. Reflect
Watch the video Giving context and defining the topic with Hugh presenting the definition as if he is the first affirmative speaker in the debate.
Reflect on how you presented the context and definition.
Compare your presentation to Hugh’s.
What did you think you did well?
What do you think Hugh did well?
What is something that you would like to improve on for next time?
Share your reflection with your debate coach or teammates.
Giving context and defining the topic – example
Duration: 02:19Extension challenge
Extension challenge
Would you like to have another go at defining a topic?
Watch the video Giving context and defining the topic – extension challenge and try again with the topic ‘That schools should reward students whose grades improve with vouchers from McDonalds and KFC.'
Remember, your definition does not need to be exactly the same as Indigo’s but think of hers as a good example.
Giving context and defining the topic – extension challenge
Duration: 05:48For even more practice, work your way through these additional videos.
You might want to have a go at defining 1 topic per week!
Topic: That we should ban people under 18 from playing games like Fortnite.
Defining a topic with Kate Jackson
Duration: 04:25Topic: That parents should pay their kids whenever they help out around the house.
Defining a topic with Alex De Araujo
Duration: 08:39Topic: That kids in Year 5 and above should have to get a paid job for one afternoon a week.
Defining a topic with Anna-Sophia Zahar
Duration: 05:41Topic: That the voting age should be lowered to 16.
Defining a topic with Ainsley Halbmeijer
Duration: 04:04Topic: That all homework and assignments should be done as groupwork.
Defining a topic with Emily Kim
Duration: 08:45Topic: That all afternoon sessions in primary school should be dedicated to creativity and the arts.
Defining a topic with Elinor Stephenson
Duration: 06:00Congratulations!
You have completed this Digital @ The Arts Unit Creative Class.
To continue learning about debating and develop your skills, you might like to complete these other debating Digital @ The Arts Unit Creative Classes:
To continue learning about debating and develop your skills, you might like to complete these other debating Digital @ The Arts Unit Creative Classes:
Third-party content attributions
Third-party content attributions
Tonto in Tuscany, © Kimberley Lee, reproduced and communicated with permission.
The dog with the golden eyes, © Lehon Karube, reproduced and communicated with permission.
Harley at the park, © Isabelle Dang, reproduced and communicated with permission.
Unusual Friends, © Alannah Lewis, reproduced and communicated with permission.
Friendship, © Jackson Vooby, reproduced and communicated with permission.
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