Debate Dynamics: Teamwork and Public Speaking Skills

5th Grade

Project
4 weeks

Debate Dynamics: Teamwork and Public Speaking Skills

Kaylee Gong

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.CCRA.L.1

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.CCRA.L.6

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.CCRA.R.8

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.CCRA.W.1

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.CCRA.W.10

+ 11 more

Purpose

The purpose of this 5th grade Debate project is to immerse students in the art of formal debate, fostering essential skills such as argument writing, public speaking, research, and collaboration. Over four weeks, students will engage in a comprehensive learning experience that integrates core content standards, including writing arguments, conducting research, and engaging in collaborative discussions. Through structured activities, students will learn to construct and present well-reasoned arguments, evaluate evidence, and effectively communicate their ideas. The project culminates in a formal debate judged by a panel, providing a platform for students to demonstrate their learning and growth. This project not only aims to enhance academic skills but also to build confidence, teamwork, and critical thinking, preparing students for future academic and real-world challenges.

Learning goals

In this 5th grade Debate project, students will explore the essential question, "What is a formal debate?" through a series of engaging activities designed to enhance their critical thinking, communication, and collaboration skills. Over the course of four weeks, students will work in teams to develop their argument writing, formal writing, and public speaking abilities. They will conduct research, learn interviewing skills, and utilize technology to gather and assess information from multiple sources, ensuring credibility and accuracy. Students will practice using standard English grammar and expand their academic vocabulary to articulate their ideas effectively. Through critique and revision, they will refine their written and spoken arguments, supported by valid reasoning and relevant evidence. The project will culminate in a formal debate, assessed by a panel of judges, where students will demonstrate their understanding of debate structure and their ability to engage in collaborative discussions. Throughout the project, students will reflect on their teamwork and individual growth, using checklists and rubrics to guide their learning journey.

Standards

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.CCRA.L.1 - Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English grammar and usage when writing or speaking.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.CCRA.L.6 - Acquire and use accurately a range of general academic and domain-specific words and phrases sufficient for reading, writing, speaking, and listening at the college and career readiness level; demonstrate independence in gathering vocabulary knowledge when encountering an unknown term important to comprehension or expression.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.CCRA.R.8 - Delineate and evaluate the argument and specific claims in a text, including the validity of the reasoning as well as the relevance and sufficiency of the evidence.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.CCRA.W.1 - Write arguments to support claims in an analysis of substantive topics or texts, using valid reasoning and relevant and sufficient evidence.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.CCRA.W.10 - Write routinely over extended time frames (time for research, reflection, and revision) and shorter time frames (a single sitting or a day or two) for a range of tasks, purposes, and audiences.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.CCRA.W.4 - Produce clear and coherent writing in which the development, organization, and style are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.CCRA.W.5 - Develop and strengthen writing as needed by planning, revising, editing, rewriting, or trying a new approach.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.CCRA.W.6 - Use technology, including the Internet, to produce and publish writing and to interact and collaborate with others.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.CCRA.W.7 - Conduct short as well as more sustained research projects based on focused questions, demonstrating understanding of the subject under investigation.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.CCRA.W.8 - Gather relevant information from multiple print and digital sources, assess the credibility and accuracy of each source, and integrate the information while avoiding plagiarism.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.5.1 - Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English grammar and usage when writing or speaking.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.5.8 - Explain how an author uses reasons and evidence to support particular points in a text, identifying which reasons and evidence support which point(s).
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.5.9 - Integrate information from several texts on the same topic in order to write or speak about the subject knowledgeably.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.5.1 - Quote accurately from a text when explaining what the text says explicitly and when drawing inferences from the text.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.SL.5.1 - Engage effectively in a range of collaborative discussions (one-on-one, in groups, and teacher-led) with diverse partners on grade 5 topics and texts, building on others' ideas and expressing their own clearly.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.5.1 - Write opinion pieces on topics or texts, supporting a point of view with reasons and information

Products

In this 5th grade Debate project, students will collaboratively create several key products and accomplish significant learning milestones. First, they will develop a team contract that outlines roles, responsibilities, and conflict resolution strategies, fostering teamwork and collaboration skills. Throughout the project, students will engage in research and writing tasks, producing clear and coherent argument essays that support their debate positions with valid reasoning and evidence. These written pieces will be refined through peer critique and revision processes, utilizing checklists and rubrics to ensure alignment with standards. Additionally, students will prepare and deliver formal debate presentations, demonstrating their public speaking and argumentation skills. The culmination of the project will be the final debate event, where students will perform in front of an audience and a panel of judges, showcasing their ability to articulate and defend their viewpoints effectively. This experience will not only enhance their academic skills but also build confidence in public speaking and critical thinking.

Launch

To kick off the 5th grade Debate project, begin with an engaging "Debate Day" event. Invite a local debate team or experienced debaters to perform a live demonstration in front of the students. This will provide a real-world example of a formal debate, showcasing skills such as argumentation, public speaking, and teamwork. Following the demonstration, facilitate a Q&A session where students can ask the debaters about their techniques and experiences. This interactive launch will not only spark interest but also provide students with a clear understanding of what they will be working towards in their own debates.

Exhibition

To exhibit the product at the end of the 5th grade Debate project, organize a Debate Showcase event. Invite parents, other classes, and community members to attend. Set up a formal debate stage where each team presents their arguments, showcasing their public speaking and argument writing skills. After the debates, host a reflection session where students share their learning experiences and growth. Display visual aids such as posters or digital presentations that highlight their research process and team collaboration. Conclude the event with an awards ceremony to recognize outstanding performances and contributions, fostering a sense of achievement and celebration among students.

Week 1	Day 1	Day 2	Day 3	Day 4	Day 5
Activities	Activity 1: Launch Event - Participate in 'Debate Day', where students watch a live debate demonstration by local debaters and engage in a Q&A session.	Activity 2: Introduction to Debate - Discuss the essential components of formal debates and the project's goals. Introduce students to the essential question: 'What is a formal debate?'	Activity 3: Team Formation - Organize students into debate teams. Facilitate a discussion on team roles and responsibilities. Begin drafting a team contract.	Activity 4: Research Skills Workshop - Teach students how to conduct research, evaluate sources, and gather credible information using technology.	Activity 5: Argument Writing Basics - Provide an introduction to writing arguments. Discuss the structure of an argument essay, including claims, evidence, and reasoning.
Deliverables	1. Deliverable 1: Completed Team Contracts - Each team submits a contract outlining roles, responsibilities, and conflict resolution strategies. 2. Deliverable 2: Research Plan - Each team submits a plan for their research, detailing the topics they will explore and potential sources.
Preparation	1. Teacher Preparation Task 1: Coordinate with local debate teams or experienced debaters for the 'Debate Day' event. 2. Teacher Preparation Task 2: Prepare a presentation on the basics of formal debates and the project's objectives. 3. Teacher Preparation Task 3: Develop materials for the Research Skills Workshop, including guidelines for evaluating sources and using digital tools. 4. Teacher Preparation Task 4: Create a lesson plan for teaching argument writing basics, with examples of well-structured argument essays. 5. Teacher Preparation Task 5: Prepare templates for team contracts and research plans, ensuring alignment with project goals.

Week 2	Day 1	Day 2	Day 3	Day 4	Day 5
Activities	Activity 1: Advanced Research Techniques - Conduct a session on advanced research methods, focusing on identifying credible sources and avoiding plagiarism.	Activity 2: Argument Structure and Development - Dive deeper into the components of a strong argument. Discuss how to develop claims, support them with evidence, and address counterarguments.	Activity 3: Writing Workshop - Organize a writing workshop where students start drafting their argument essays based on the research conducted. Provide peer review sessions for initial feedback.	Activity 4: Public Speaking Skills - Conduct a workshop on public speaking, focusing on voice modulation, body language, and clarity of expression.	Activity 5: Team Meetings - Allocate time for teams to meet and discuss their progress, refine their arguments, and practice speaking in front of their peers.
Deliverables	1. Deliverable 1: Draft Argument Essay - Each student submits a draft of their argument essay for peer and teacher feedback. 2. Deliverable 2: Research Summary - Teams submit a summary of their research findings, highlighting the sources they plan to use in their arguments.
Preparation	1. Teacher Preparation Task 1: Develop materials for the advanced research techniques session, including examples of credible vs. non-credible sources. 2. Teacher Preparation Task 2: Prepare a lesson plan for the argument structure and development session, including examples of strong arguments. 3. Teacher Preparation Task 3: Organize resources and materials for the writing workshop, including peer review guidelines and feedback forms. 4. Teacher Preparation Task 4: Create a workshop plan for public speaking skills, with tips on effective communication and a checklist for practice. 5. Teacher Preparation Task 5: Coordinate and schedule time for team meetings, ensuring each team has the guidance they need to progress.

Week 3	Day 1	Day 2	Day 3	Day 4	Day 5
Activities	Activity 1: Revisions and Refinement - Students will revise their draft argument essays based on peer and teacher feedback. Emphasis will be placed on strengthening claims, improving coherence, and ensuring proper grammar and vocabulary use.	Activity 2: Counterarguments and Rebuttals - Conduct a session on identifying potential counterarguments and crafting effective rebuttals. Students will practice integrating these into their essays.	Activity 3: Public Speaking Practice - Organize practice sessions where students rehearse their debate presentations, focusing on delivering clear and persuasive arguments.	Activity 4: Peer Review and Critique - Facilitate a peer review session where students provide and receive constructive feedback on both their written and spoken arguments.	Activity 5: Team Strategy Meeting - Teams will meet to finalize their debate strategies, ensuring alignment of individual roles and a cohesive team presentation.
Deliverables	1. Deliverable 1: Revised Argument Essay - Each student submits a revised version of their argument essay, incorporating feedback and improvements. 2. Deliverable 2: Counterargument and Rebuttal Plan - Each team submits a plan outlining their anticipated counterarguments and planned rebuttals.
Preparation	1. Teacher Preparation Task 1: Prepare materials and examples for the revisions and refinement session, focusing on common feedback and improvement strategies. 2. Teacher Preparation Task 2: Develop a lesson plan for teaching counterarguments and rebuttals, including examples and practice exercises. 3. Teacher Preparation Task 3: Organize a schedule for public speaking practice sessions, ensuring each student has an opportunity to practice and receive feedback. 4. Teacher Preparation Task 4: Create guidelines and rubrics for the peer review and critique session, ensuring constructive and focused feedback. 5. Teacher Preparation Task 5: Facilitate and oversee team strategy meetings, providing guidance and support as needed to ensure effective team collaboration.

Week 4	Day 1	Day 2	Day 3	Day 4	Day 5
Activities	Activity 1: Final Debate Preparation - Students will focus on finalizing their debate presentations. They will conduct mock debates within their teams to practice timing and delivery.	Activity 2: Dress Rehearsal - Organize a full dress rehearsal where each team presents their debate in front of the class. Feedback will be provided by peers and the teacher.	Activity 3: Visual Aids and Presentation Tools - Teach students how to create and effectively use visual aids to support their arguments during the debate.	Activity 4: Final Peer Review Session - Conduct a final peer review session focused on refining both written and spoken elements of the debate presentation.	Activity 5: Reflection and Goal Setting - Facilitate a reflection session where students assess their growth throughout the project and set personal goals for the final debate.
Deliverables	1. Deliverable 1: Final Debate Presentation - Each team submits their final debate presentation, including visual aids and a written outline of their arguments. 2. Deliverable 2: Personal Reflection Document - Each student submits a personal reflection document outlining their learning journey, challenges faced, and goals for the future.
Preparation	1. Teacher Preparation Task 1: Prepare a checklist and rubric for assessing the final debate presentations, focusing on argument structure, delivery, and use of visual aids. 2. Teacher Preparation Task 2: Organize and schedule the dress rehearsal, ensuring each team has adequate time and space to present. 3. Teacher Preparation Task 3: Develop instructional materials on creating and using visual aids, including examples and best practices. 4. Teacher Preparation Task 4: Coordinate with judges for the final debate event, confirming their participation and providing guidelines for assessment. 5. Teacher Preparation Task 5: Create templates and prompts for the personal reflection document, guiding students in their self-assessment and goal setting.