7th Grade TAAP Flex Debate

7th grade TAAP students who chose the Debate option for one of their Flex options have been working on learning the basics of putting on a Debate. We have talked about the Debate protocol and have chosen 3 different topics to work on in debate teams. We are using the protocol set forth by the Middle School Public Debate Program (MSPDP). Topics chosen are: The Death Penalty, Beauty Pageants, and whether or not the President of the U.S. should be born in the U.S.
Students are currently researching their topics with their teams, developing specific arguments, and each student will develop his or her own constructive speech. This process will take us through February when each team will have the opportunity to give their constructive speeches as well as refute their oppossing team through the rebuttal process. After this initial learning experience, students will determine topics of their own choosing (rather than choosing topics via the MSPDP topic list) and hone their debating skills.