Many of the students that we serve are only familiar with the sports teams that our school has. Some of them may have felt that there was no outlet for more cerebral activities. As head coach of Debate Team over the last couple of years, I was ecstatic to be given the opportunity to teach the class. I realized very quickly that in order to give my students the best experience, and perhaps create future debaters, that I would need to provide them with the same tools that my debaters use.
Debaters have to be mindful of time, for speeches, rebuttals, cross-examinations, and prep time (which is easier to accomplish with a large digital clock), and just like any other sport, they need to review videos of other policy debaters to hear how students present their plans and win rounds. Debate is not just about speaking and keeping time, it is also about listening and flowing (taking notes of what the speaker is saying in an organized fashion). Debate is also about being organised; keeping your affirmative and negative files in order and in one place. My experience has taught me that a three-ring binder is perfect for middle school students to keep up with as well as present a professional appearance.
Debaters have to know how to project, to speak up and be heard. When students are looking down at their files, they are not able to be heard which can look like a lack of confidence, which we are trying to build in our students. A tabletop podium allows a student to stand straight and make eye contact (another important skill learned in debate) with the judge, to persude them to their side. Thank you for your consideration.
About my class
Many of the students that we serve are only familiar with the sports teams that our school has. Some of them may have felt that there was no outlet for more cerebral activities. As head coach of Debate Team over the last couple of years, I was ecstatic to be given the opportunity to teach the class. I realized very quickly that in order to give my students the best experience, and perhaps create future debaters, that I would need to provide them with the same tools that my debaters use.
Debaters have to be mindful of time, for speeches, rebuttals, cross-examinations, and prep time (which is easier to accomplish with a large digital clock), and just like any other sport, they need to review videos of other policy debaters to hear how students present their plans and win rounds. Debate is not just about speaking and keeping time, it is also about listening and flowing (taking notes of what the speaker is saying in an organized fashion). Debate is also about being organised; keeping your affirmative and negative files in order and in one place. My experience has taught me that a three-ring binder is perfect for middle school students to keep up with as well as present a professional appearance.
Debaters have to know how to project, to speak up and be heard. When students are looking down at their files, they are not able to be heard which can look like a lack of confidence, which we are trying to build in our students. A tabletop podium allows a student to stand straight and make eye contact (another important skill learned in debate) with the judge, to persude them to their side. Thank you for your consideration.
Read more