1-Pager
7th Grade  Project 1 week

Race to Debate: Cell Phone Showdown!

Angela C
7.I.CC.4
Productive Collaborator
Critical Thinker
Empowered Learner
Creative Contributer
+ 1 more
1-pager

Purpose

In this project, students will engage in a dynamic debate on the topic of student cell phone usage in schools, honing their communication and critical thinking skills. Through interactive activities like the 'Speech Sprint' and 'Reflection Roundtable', students will explore persuasive techniques, collaborate with peers, and reflect on their emotional growth. This hands-on experience aims to foster deeper understanding and application of democratic procedures, empowering students to articulate informed opinions and contribute meaningfully to discussions on relevant issues.

Learning goals

Students will develop their abilities to effectively communicate and persuade by crafting and delivering speeches in a debate setting. They will engage in collaborative discussions, enhancing their skills in active listening and empathy while working towards a common goal. Through critical thinking, students will analyze and evaluate different perspectives on cell phone usage in schools, using evidence to support their arguments. The project will also foster socio-emotional growth as students reflect on their experiences and personal development throughout the debate process.
Standards
  • [Kentucky] 7.I.CC.4 - Use a range of deliberative and democratic procedures to discuss current local, regional and global issues.
Competencies
  • Productive Collaborator - Engages with others to achieve a common goal through building positive relationships, actively listening, showing empathy, and making individual contributions to a larger group.
  • Critical Thinker - Thinks deeply and makes informed decisions to create solutions or new understanding supported by relevant and reliable evidence.
  • Empowered Learner - Demonstrates mastery and application of academic competencies. Develops the skills and dispositions to persist through difficulties and plan for a future of self-improvement.
  • Creative Contributer - Interprets experiences, imagines and plays with new possibilities with curiosity, and creates approaches that are novel, useful, and valued by the world around them.
  • Effective Communicator - Engages diverse audiences respectfully by exchanging ideas and information responsibly, listening actively, speaking and writing clearly, and using print and digital media appropriately.

Products

Throughout the project, students will create a series of quick draft speeches during the 'Speech Sprint' to refine their persuasive abilities. By the end, they will produce a polished debate speech, demonstrating their mastery of effective communication and critical thinking. Additionally, students will contribute to a collaborative reflection journal, capturing their personal growth and socio-emotional learning experiences from the debate process.

Launch

Kick off the project with an engaging 'Speech Sprint' activity, where students rapidly draft and present short speeches on the topic of cell phone usage in schools. This fast-paced format encourages immediate feedback and reflection, allowing students to quickly hone their persuasive skills. Through this dynamic launch, students will begin to explore the power of effective communication and set the stage for deeper exploration throughout the project.

Exhibition

At the culmination of the project, students will participate in a 'Reflection Roundtable,' where they will present their debate experiences to an audience of peers, teachers, and community members. Each student will share personal insights and growth stories, emphasizing the socio-emotional learning gained throughout the process. This exhibition will not only highlight their communication skills but also provide a platform for students to express how the project has influenced their perspectives on cell phone usage in schools.