Lightning Debates

why do we argue - and how do we do it well?

Module summary:

Why do we argue? TED talk
What is effective research?
Round 1: speeches about fruit
Round 2: debate about teen life questions
Round 3: debate about societal issues
Evaluation DOK

essential questions

What makes an effective argument?
How do we evaluate ourselves with the aim of improvement?

goals

Students will understand that an effective argument balances content, organization, and style.
Students will understand that evaluating specific points, and having the opportunity to practice the same skills repeatedly based on evaluation, helps us improve.

c-tachs

Reading:

Read and comprehend complex literature and informational text independently, accurately and for deep understanding
Cite strong textual evidence to support analysis of explicit and implicit meaning of text

Writing

Write informative/explanatory texts to examine and convey complex ideas, concepts, and information clearly and accurately through effective selection, organization, and analysis of content

Speaking and listening

Engage effectively in a range of collaborative discussions
Analyze the important points of an oral presentation
Evaluate a speaker’s point of view, reasoning and style used
Present information, findings and supporting evidence, conveying a clear and distinct perspective

activities

Monday: Taylor Mali / TED talk / research methods / Graff and Christine speeches / student speeches
Tuesday: [field trip to aquarium]
Wednesday: Debate 1: research, speech planning, speech practice, debate, evaluation
Thursday: Debate 2: research, speech planning, speech practice, debate, evaluation
Friday: Evaluation and conversations DOK