All grades
Project
6 weeks
"The Great Debate Quest: Ideas Unleashed!"
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.SL.9-10.1
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.SL.11-12.1
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.SL.6.1
Self Directed Learning
Academic Mindset
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1-pager
Purpose
Students will actively engage in The Great Conversation by exploring timeless human ideas through games and activities that build essential skills like civil conversation, effective questioning, and media literacy. By collaborating with community partners and participating in Socratic dialogues, students will develop critical thinking and self-directed learning abilities. This experience aims to decrease societal polarization and strengthen students' connections with humanity's core ideas, preparing them to participate meaningfully in complex discussions.
Learning goals
Students will engage in collaborative discussions to explore and articulate their ideas on significant human concepts such as justice, love, and happiness, using skills like logic, rhetoric, and media literacy. They will participate in games and activities to practice civil conversations, asking effective questions, shared inquiry, and clarifying concepts. Students will develop and present well-reasoned arguments on contemporary issues, particularly focusing on technology and AI, while fostering civil discourse and understanding diverse perspectives. Through self-reflection and peer feedback, students will enhance their critical thinking and problem-solving abilities, aiming to reduce societal polarization and build common ground.
Standards
- [Common Core] CCSS.ELA-Literacy.SL.9-10.1 - Initiate and participate effectively in a range of collaborative discussions (one-on-one, in groups, and teacher-led) with diverse partners on grades 9—10 topics, texts, and issues, building on others' ideas and expressing their own clearly and persuasively.
- [Common Core] CCSS.ELA-Literacy.SL.11-12.1 - Initiate and participate effectively in a range of collaborative discussions (one-on-one, in groups, and teacher-led) with diverse partners on grades 11—12 topics, texts, and issues, building on others' ideas and expressing their own clearly and persuasively.
- [Common Core] CCSS.ELA-Literacy.SL.6.1 - Engage effectively in a range of collaborative discussions (one-on-one, in groups, and teacher-led) with diverse partners on grade 6 topics, texts, and issues, building on others' ideas and expressing their own clearly.
Competencies
- Self Directed Learning - Students use teacher and peer feedback and self-reflection to monitor and direct their own learning while building self knowledge both in and out of the classroom.
- Academic Mindset - Students establish a sense of place, identity, and belonging to increase self-efficacy while engaging in critical reflection and action.
- Critical Thinking & Problem Solving - Students consider a variety of innovative approaches to address and understand complex questions that are authentic and important to their communities.
Products
Students will create a written argument and deliver an oral presentation on a controversial topic related to modern technology, such as AI or ChatGPT. They will engage in games and activities to learn skills like civil conversation, asking effective questions, and media literacy, which will aid in refining their ideas. Feedback from peers and community partners, including AI specialists and philosophy professors, will be integrated into their work. The project will culminate in a salon or café-style exhibition, where students will demonstrate their skills in civil discussions, showcasing their understanding of logic, rhetoric, and media literacy.
Launch
Kick off the project with an interactive "Idea Exchange Fair," where students engage in games and activities that introduce skills like civil conversation, effective questioning, and media literacy. Stations will feature community partners, such as AI specialists and philosophy professors, who will present thought-provoking scenarios related to technology. Students will practice annotating texts and identifying logical fallacies, preparing them for deeper inquiry. This launch will inspire students to appreciate diverse viewpoints and recognize the power of dialogue in connecting with humanity's great ideas.
Exhibition
Students will host a "Great Conversation Café," where they engage in civil discussions on controversial topics related to modern technology, such as AI and ChatGPT, with peers and community partners. This event will feature structured dialogues in a salon-style setting, incorporating games and activities to showcase skills like civil conversation, effective questioning, and media literacy. Students will present their written arguments and participate in oral debates, while attendees, including teachers, parents, and community experts, provide feedback. The exhibition will conclude with participants identifying common ground and shared values, demonstrating their growth in logic, rhetoric, and critical thinking.
Plan
| Week 1 |
Day 1
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Day 2
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Day 3
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Day 4
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|---|---|---|---|---|
| Phase |
Project Activities
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| Activities |
Project Launch and Introduction to The Great Conversation
Activity (Deprecated)
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Exploring Timeless Ideas
Activity (Deprecated)
Understanding Civil Conversations
Activity (Deprecated)
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Media Literacy and Annotating Text
Activity (Deprecated)
Concept Clarification Game
Activity (Deprecated)
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Developing Effective Questions
Activity (Deprecated)
Reflective Practice Session
Activity (Deprecated)
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| Preparation | ||||
| Week 2 |
Day 5
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Day 6
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Day 7
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Day 8
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|---|---|---|---|---|
| Phase |
Project Activities
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| Activities |
Introduction to Logical Fallacies
Activity (Deprecated)
Group Analysis of Classic Texts
Activity (Deprecated)
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Media Literacy Workshop
Activity (Deprecated)
Interactive Socratic Seminar
Activity (Deprecated)
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Effective Questioning Techniques
Activity (Deprecated)
Annotated Reading Session
Activity (Deprecated)
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Concept Clarification Game
Activity (Deprecated)
Peer Feedback and Reflection
Activity (Deprecated)
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| Preparation | ||||
| Week 3 |
Day 9
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Day 10
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Day 11
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Day 12
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|---|---|---|---|---|
| Phase |
Project Activities
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| Activities |
Deep Dive into Rhetoric
Activity (Deprecated)
Developing Argumentative Writing Skills
Activity (Deprecated)
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Peer Review Workshop
Activity (Deprecated)
Refining Writing through Revision
Activity (Deprecated)
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Socratic Dialogue Practice
Activity (Deprecated)
Media Literacy Analysis
Activity (Deprecated)
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Reflective Journaling
Activity (Deprecated)
Preparation for Oral Presentation
Activity (Deprecated)
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| Preparation | ||||
| Week 4 |
Day 13
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Day 14
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Day 15
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Day 16
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|---|---|---|---|---|
| Phase |
Project Activities
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| Activities |
Socratic Dialogue Preparation
Activity (Deprecated)
Community Partner Engagement
Activity (Deprecated)
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Peer Review Workshop
Activity (Deprecated)
Media Literacy and Annotation
Activity (Deprecated)
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Effective Questioning Techniques
Activity (Deprecated)
Concept Clarification Exercise
Activity (Deprecated)
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Reflective Practice Journal
Activity (Deprecated)
Socratic Dialogue Rehearsal
Activity (Deprecated)
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| Preparation | ||||
| Week 5 |
Day 17
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Day 18
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Day 19
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Day 20
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|---|---|---|---|---|
| Phase |
Project Activities
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| Activities |
Socratic Dialogue on Technology
Activity (Deprecated)
Media Literacy Analysis
Activity (Deprecated)
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Peer Critique Session
Activity (Deprecated)
Revision Workshop
Activity (Deprecated)
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Oral Presentation Practice
Activity (Deprecated)
Reflective Journaling
Activity (Deprecated)
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Final Exhibition Preparation
Activity (Deprecated)
Group Reflection Session
Activity (Deprecated)
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| Preparation | ||||
| Week 6 |
Day 21
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Day 22
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Day 23
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Day 24
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|---|---|---|---|---|
| Phase |
Project Activities
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| Activities |
Exhibition Setup
Activity (Deprecated)
Final Rehearsal for Oral Presentations
Activity (Deprecated)
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Great Conversation Café Exhibition
Activity (Deprecated)
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Feedback and Reflection Session
Activity (Deprecated)
Reflective Journaling
Activity (Deprecated)
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Debrief and Celebration
Activity (Deprecated)
Action Planning for Future Engagement
Activity (Deprecated)
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| Preparation | ||||