Collaborative Projects:
Government/Civics Issue Debate

This project consists of a debate of four issues to be determined by the participating teachers. This project is not currently running. However, feel free to use the format to do your own debate videoconference.

Project creators: Kelly Gaideski, Berrien RESA Social Studies Consultant and Kathy Elsner, Government/Civics teacher, Niles High School.

Format:

4 Teams, 1 per issue from each site.
Each issue will be debated for 15 minutes in the following manner:

5 minutes for the support
2 1/2 minutes for rebuttal from opposition
5 minutes for opposition
2 1/2 minutes for rebuttal from support

Then 5 minutes will be allotted for audience questions/discussion with the teams. Questions must alternate between the teams opposed and teams in support of issue.

Then the next issue will be addressed.

Each team is required to present 1 visual aid for their position.

Color cards will be available at each site for voting on most persuasive/prepared team.

Preparation:

Teams are formed and assigned an issue for which they prepare both support and opposition. Teams must also prepare a visual in support and in opposition of the issue for display during debate.

Entire class formulates questions for each issue to be asked during the 5 minute Q & A.

Teachers hold a "draw" for positions (support or oppose) prior to the beginning of the debate.