The Arts Unit Creative Teachers
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Coaching new debaters
Coaching new debaters
What skills should I teach my students?
If your students are relatively new to debating, it is best to start with the basics:
the rules of debating and the roles of each speaker
developing a definition
arguments
rebuttals
manner (public speaking skills)
how to prepare for a debate.
How can I teach my students these skills?
To make your coaching journey a little easier, we have put together one lesson on each of the above topics. These lessons are called 'Creative Classes'. Lessons include instructional videos, interactive activities and downloadable documents that you can complete with your students.
In what order should I teach the skills?
It is recommended you complete these lessons in the order listed below, however, the lesson on manner includes activities that you could use each training session as a warm up activity.
View the 'Planning your program' document for more details.
How do you access these lessons?
Creative Classes can be displayed on an interactive whiteboard (IWB), a computer, tablet or smartphone device. They are free, easy to use and do not require a login for access. Creative Classes work best in the Google Chrome internet browser.
How should I train my debating team?
Debate training will vary from school to school, but it is ideal to meet with your debating students at least once a week. Depending on student need and the amount of time you have available, you may like to follow a structure similar to the following:
5-10 minute warm up activity
20-30 minute focus activity, based on need (e.g. part or all of a Creative Class) or practise with a mini debate
5 minute reflection and team debrief
View the 'Training plan and learning sequences' document (Word doc, 76KB) to help you get started.
Alternatively, view the 'Training plan and learning sequences - accessible screen reader version' document (Word doc, 50KB)
Foundation level debating activities
Foundation level debating activities
Lesson 1: Develop your manner (public speaking skills) with the Creative Class Best manners. Suggestion: warm up with one game from this lesson each training session!
Lesson 2: Learn about the roles of each speaker and the rules of debating with the Creative Class Roles and rules.
Lesson 3: Learn how to define a debate with the Creative Class Discovering definitions.
Lesson 4: Learn how to write and present an argument for debating with the Creative Class Crafting persuasive arguments.
Lesson 5: Learn how to write and present a rebuttal for debating with the Creative Class That's debatable!
Lesson 6: Learn how to prepare for a debate with the Creative Class Ready, prep, debate!
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