Students collaborate with a partner to create an animated classroom debate. TechnoDebate offers a creative twist to traditional debates. Using clip art characters and call out bubbles, each side declares their resolution, presents a constructive speech, delivers a counter argument in a rebuttal, and summarizes their position. Cross-examination is done at the end of the debate by audience members using Commenting. Optional classroom debate activities allow participants to cross-examine opponents and judge to select a winner.
Integrate Technology Skills into Curriculum
Use Google Slides or PowerPoint Online to host a debate. Students, ranging from grades 6 to 12, take opposing positions on an issue in a slide show, support their view with researched facts, and respond to a countering argument with a rebuttal in words and images. Audience members use online comments to ask questions and evaluate the more convincing case.
Build Critical Thinking and Collaboration
Classroom debate lesson plans empower students with essential life and employable skills. Step-by-step, focused activities teach teens to create balanced and informed arguments, use logical reasoning and supporting evidence, and develop effective communication skills.
Active, Learner-Centered Course for Ages 11-18
Step-by-step instructions allow students to develop independent work habits. Samples provide inspiration. Sentence starters model exemplary debate wording. Checklists hone organizational skills. Teacher Guide provides strategies, ideas, and assessment tools.
Promote STEM and CTE
Debate activities for middle school blend technology with curriculum. Pick a topic from social studies, science, history, novel study, or any subject area to form opposing viewpoints. Encourage an appreciation and acceptance of multiple perspectives. Cultivate career skills such as teamwork, problem solving, persuasive writing, and self-directed learning. Transform the classroom into a space for learning using real-world issues.
online teacher guide, getting started tips, course calendar, class management tools, online student workbook, online assignments, printable assessment tools, online quizzes, student reporting, sample files, extension activities, certificates, parent letters
Product Type
Course
Assignment 1 What is a Debate?
Rate your ability to persuade others. Evaluate the effectiveness of arguments in sample debates.
Assignment 2 Brainstorm a Topic for your Debate
Partner up. Refer to a list of controversial issues. Negotiate to select a topic and position.
Assignment 3 Plan Arguments
Investigate the topic to develop an argument. Research evidence to support points.
Assignment 4 Invite a Partner to Debate
Share a file. Collaborate to create a title slide together.
Assignment 5 Take a Stand
State resolution. Clearly outline a position using a clip art character and call out on a slide.
Assignment 6 Present a Persuasive Argument
Prepare a constructive speech. Design slides that present three reasons an opinion is correct.
Assignment 7 Prepare a Rebuttal
Review opponent’s argument. Refute their weakest claim in a counter-argument.
Assignment 8 Summarize Ideas
Restate your arguments to convince an audience to agree with a viewpoint.
Assignment 9 Design an Animated Conversation
Animate call out bubbles to produce a dynamic conversation. Apply transitions to divide debate.
Assignment 10 Debate Checklist
Inspect the debate to confirm it is complete. Revise the structure, content, or design.
Assignment 11 Invite Audience Participation
Host a public debate. Allow viewers to ask questions about each viewpoint using Comments.
Assignment 12 Respond to Audience Questions
Defend a position by replying to viewer questions in a cross-examination.
Optional Classroom Debate Lesson Plans
Debate Topics: Activities to select a controversial issue to debate.
Insert a Character Workshop: Discover multiple methods to insert images.
Cross Examine your Opponent: Have each side ask a question.
Judge Debate: Declare a "winner" of the debate. Who made a more convincing argument?
Host a Classroom Debate using Google Slides or PowerPoint
Integrate classroom debate lesson plans into curriculum. This technology project can be used to develop critical thinking, persuasive writing techniques, collaboration skills, and an appreciation of multiple viewpoints. Debate activities for middle school can explore a wide range of topics. Explore citizenship, democracy, ethics, advocacy, history, or environmental stewardship. What does your community require? Is a rule fair? Is a decision justified? What needs to change? What plan is better? Was a historical decision fair to all stakeholders? Is economic growth or the environment more important?
Every course includes a schedule. It lists the time recommended for each assignment. Typically, it takes between 30-60 minutes to complete an assignment depending on the grade level. Based on this time frame, a typical course takes between 360-600 minutes to complete. This is about 6-8 weeks if your students have computer class twice a week. However, if your students have computer class every day, a course can be completed in about 2-3 weeks.
How do I decide which assignments to teach?
You may not have the time to teach an entire TechnoKids course. The good news is that TechnoKids offers flexibility. Many courses can be shortened by omitting assignments or lengthened by including skill reviews and extension activities. You can easily adapt the course to suit your schedule. Refer to the Ideas for Implementation section in the teacher guide for suggestions.
Does the course integrate into other subjects?
TechnoKids courses are inter-disciplinary. This means the lesson plans blend computing skills with general content areas such as language arts, geography, or business studies. If you do not have a dedicated digital literacy class, refer to the Technology Integration Suggestions section in each teacher guide for ideas on how you can include the course in other subject areas.
Is the course a subscription?
Yes. When you purchase a course, you have access to the instructional materials for 12 months. After that time, should you want to continue, you will need to renew the subscription.
Is the course online?
Yes. You must sign into TechnoHub to access the course content from your bookshelf. The teacher guide and student workbook for a course are available online only. However, resources such as assessment tools, handouts, course slides, templates, and samples are downloadable.
new.technokids.com –