Let's Debate!/¡Vamos a debatir!: Teacher Swap Shop Lesson, 3-Secondary
Session Type
Discussion Session (1 hour)
Immersion/Partner Language(s)
Spanish, multiple
Context/program model
One-Way Second/Foreign Language Immersion
Level
Elementary (K-5)
Program Summary
Students immerse themselves in a four week unit on debates. We begin the unit with an introductory hook topic (motorized hoverboards) to engage and excite the students and teach the basics of persuasive writing: position statement, reasons, evidence, counterargument, rebuttal and concluding statement. Then the students are divided into debate teams where they are assigned a topic; either technology or vegetarianism. The students spend several days researching their topic with their team by reading articles and watching videos, collecting evidence for both pro and con. They determine whether their evidence is a quote, fact, statistic or example and learn how to elaborate on their evidence to prove their reason. After that, students organize their research into a table and continue to elaborate on each reason. Finally they write an opening and a closing, decide who will read which parts of the debate and create simple visuals to aid their presentation. We end the unit with the oral debate in front of the rest of the school. This unit beautifully compliments the English writing unit of persuasive letters.
Lead Presenter/organizer
Raina Crawford, Avenues: The World School
Role/Title
Teacher
State (in US) or Country
NY
Co-Presenters
Julie Yankowitz, Avenues: The World School
Role/Title
Teacher
State (in US) or Country
NY