7th Grade  Activity 45 minutes

Debate Spark Essay Quest

MICHAEL W
Basics
Assessment
Elements Product Assessment Exhibition Reflection Core Content Project Launch Community Partners Essential Question Critique and Revision
Settings Submission Required Grading Required

Students launch into the project with a fast-paced Claim Clash Kickoff, sorting strong and weak evidence cards around a debate topic and previewing the class exhibition table. With support from the school librarian, they choose a topic, research age-appropriate sources for both sides, and draft a one-page debate brief that includes a clear claim, a counterclaim, and two vetted pieces of evidence for each side. After a partner evidence check to flag weak sources and strengthen support, students revise and prepare to present their briefs at the Evidence Exchange exhibition table.

Duration
45 min
Grouping
Pair
Details

Lesson plan

6 steps · 45 min
# What teachers do Time
1 Launch the Claim Clash Kickoff by presenting the essential question, introducing the one-page debate brief product and final Evidence Exchange table, and having students sort sample evidence cards into strong or weak evidence with quick whole-group discussion about why. 8 min
2 Guide students to choose from prepared debate topics, then work with the school librarian’s curated articles or source set to locate age-appropriate information for both sides and record at least one possible claim and one possible counterclaim. 10 min
3 Have students draft their one-page debate brief by writing a clear claim, a clear counterclaim, and listing two pieces of evidence for each side, including source notes that show the evidence came from vetted materials. 12 min
4 Run a partner evidence check in pairs where students exchange briefs, flag weak, unclear, or unsupported evidence, and suggest stronger support or clearer wording for both the claim and counterclaim. 7 min
5 Give students time to revise their debate brief based on partner feedback and prepare it for display by making the reasoning readable, organized, and ready for the class exhibition table. 5 min
6 Close with a quick exit circle in which each student names one piece of evidence that strengthened their claim and one social skill they used during partner revision, then collect or stage briefs for the upcoming Evidence Exchange. 3 min
Total 45 mins
Preparation (10 items)
  • Prepare 3-5 age-appropriate debate topic choices that connect to current class learning and can reasonably support both a claim and a counterclaim.
  • Coordinate with the school librarian in advance to gather a small set of vetted articles, database links, or print resources for each topic.
  • Create strong and weak evidence sorting cards for the kickoff, including examples with clear differences in relevance, credibility, and specificity.
  • Prepare a one-page debate brief template with labeled sections for topic, claim, counterclaim, two pieces of evidence for each side, and source notes.
  • Set up a quick source credibility reminder chart or checklist students can use while selecting evidence.
  • Arrange partner pairings ahead of time for the evidence check, considering reading support needs and productive collaboration.
  • Prepare a short peer feedback protocol with prompts such as 'Does this evidence clearly support the claim?' and 'Is this source strong enough to trust?'
  • Set up a visible preview of the future Evidence Exchange table with sample layout, voting slips or labels, and space for invited adults or peers to compare briefs.
  • Gather materials including printed articles or devices, evidence cards, debate brief templates, pencils, highlighters, and display folders or stands.
  • Plan a fast closing circle routine so every student has time to share one evidence choice and one collaboration skill within the final minutes.