Debates in Eighth Grade

Debating has added great value and interest to eighth grade at Shorecrest for many years. The drastic change from typical classroom activities allows students to learn and use new and different skills. When debating, student teams synthesize and judge controlled disagreements while scoring points. Debating enhances research skills, public speaking skills, empathy, critical thinking, examining data for accuracy, and development of teamwork.

In this sample debate video, eighth graders in Ms. Nelson's theatre and debate class were given a topic to research in advance -- Should Beauty Pageants Be Banned? The pro side of the subject spoke first, and then the con side took the stand. The first round allowed students to present an uninterrupted statement. The second and third rounds allowed for rebuttals. Final closing statements were then made, and student judges asked questions. The judges then left the room to confer, and presented a winner to the class.

Students took turns the past few weeks being debaters, judges/adjudicators, audience members and debate chairs.