Debate is an activity that is perfect for middle school students because it combines critical thinking, communication skills, and creative skills. The debate can be a great way to explore a diversity of opinions, and it can help kids in real-life situations as they grow. It can also contribute to their future success since debate teaches and drills so many important communication skills.
If you want to see the benefits of debate for your middle schoolers, check out these 22 activities that will help your kids learn and thrive on the debate scene.
1. Intro to Middle School Debate
This presentation does a great job of introducing the format, concepts, and vocabulary of middle school debate activities. It also looks at different ways to get students involved in the debate and how to boost their interest in the topics that they are debating about.
Learn More: Prezi
2. The Importance of Freedom of Speech
This lesson plan teaches kids about the importance of freedom of speech and has them analyze their own thoughts and beliefs as well. It will get kids thinking and speaking about their rights, and it will encourage them to speak up and exercise those rights!
Learn More: NY Times
3. Tips for Public Speaking
This handy list of tips can help even your most shy students open up. These tips can help your middle schoolers develop their verbal and non-verbal communication skills through public speaking, and the list can help them connect their critical thinking and communication skills in a meaningful way.
Learn More: The Biz Bentley
4. Funny Debate Topics
When you're just starting out with a class, it's a good idea to start with lighter topics. These middle school debate topics will be sure to draw your students in and get them to open up about the fun and funny things in their daily lives. Here, the topic of the debate can grab kids' attention.
Learn More: Games 4 ESL
5. Debate Topics About Famous People
If your students love celebrities or the idea of being famous, then these questions will be sure to lead to constructive debate. They can also explore the competitive opportunities that the rich and famous have, and how that impacts their success. These topics are a great starting point for deeper debate on social issues.
Learn More: Gather Lessons
6. Eat, Drink, and Debate Merrily!
Food and drink are universal topics: everyone has to eat, right? From favorite pizza toppings to the importance of cooking classes, there are many different ways to talk and debate about food. This list of topics will help your students develop arguments about food and drink.
Learn More: Business Insider
7. Money Keeps the Discussion Flowing
Whether you're talking about different levels of pocket money or giving extra money to specific people or projects, there are so many different ways to bring money discussions into your class. It's also a great way to introduce financial education and literacy to your middle school students.
Learn More: ISL Collective
8. Debating about the Effects of Technology
The advent of technology in everyday life has led to many changes in the world around us. But how do these developments in technology transform our daily lives? That's the main focus of these debate and discussion questions to help your middle schoolers understand the societal changes prompted by tech and social media sites.
Learn More: The Tech Edvocate
9. Date Topics About Education
From debates about school uniforms to the merits of college education, these questions offer great learning opportunities for all students. It's also a great way for teachers to understand what their students think about the education and educational resources they're currently getting.
Learn More: The Ed Advocate
10. Arts, Culture, and a Lot to Discuss!
With this topic, students can explore everything from classical music to graffiti. They will examine their own beliefs about what art really is, and they'll have to express these beliefs with details and facts. This is a great way to let students' personalities shine in their middle school debate class.
Learn More: Topics Base
11. Deeper Topics: Crime and Justice
These middle school debate topics are a level-appropriate approach to the different ways society handles crime and criminal justice. Students can explore the different ways that crime and the criminal justice system impact their daily lives and the lives of those around them.
Learn More: TED Power
12. Politics, Society, and Everything in Between
This list of topics covers everything from voting age to homeless people and what it means for the future of our country. It specifically explores policy decisions and how these choices impact the whole of society. Students will be able to explore problems and solutions in a new light when they debate these topics.
Learn More: The Ed Advocate
13. Debate in Foreign Languages
Debate is a great way to practice listening and speaking skills in a foreign language classroom. It has been shown to improve motivation among language learners, as well. While students may not start with advanced debate in a foreign language, you can use fun, everyday topics to get them started.
Learn More: JSTOR.org
14. Writing an Effective Argument Essay
This activity can take the spoken arguments of your middle school debate students and bring it into a writing class. It focuses on how to translate data, facts, and debate points into an effective argumentative essay. This is an important skill for their higher education and professional lives to come.
Learn More: Masterclass
15. Tips for Teaching Middle School Debate
This is a handy list of tips and tricks for middle school teachers who want to incorporate debate activities into their lesson plans. These tips are great for teachers who are heading up the debate team as well as for those who just want to bring more interactive lessons to their everyday classroom.
Learn More: Getting Smart
16. Benefits of Debate in Middle School
This article takes a deeper look at the skills and thinking patterns that debate at the middle school level can help develop in students. It also focuses on the long-lasting effects on students' communication and critical thinking skills as they continue their academic and professional careers.
Learn More: Bergen Debate
17. Body Language and Debate
This is a great video to help students understand and start exploring the importance of their body language, especially in a debate context. It will help them become more in tune with their own bodies, and it will help them start to notice the body language and non-verbal cues from other people, as well.
Learn More: Reading Pioneers Academy
18. How to Make an Informed Argument
This video dives into all the things that comprise a great informed argument. It looks at the different elements and qualities of informed arguments, and it offers helpful instructions and tips to help students when they write or present arguments. This is a fundamental skill for any debate class.
Learn More: The Hunt Institute
19. Online Debate Camp
If your students are still in the e-learning swing, they can join an online debate camp. This is a great option for students who are homeschooled or who may live far from any debate club in their district. It's also perfect for kids who are just starting out, and who may be considering joining the debate club in the upcoming school year.
Learn More: Out School
20. The Secret Jar
This activity is great for one-by-one presentations. It gets kids to think quickly and develop a stable argument "on their feet" -- and it's also great for teaching kids how to listen actively to one another. Plus, since it draws on the students' own topics and ideas, it's great for boosting student motivation on slow days.
Learn More: ELT Connect
21. Games for Debate Club
Here is a list of great games to play with the kids in your debate club or middle school debate class. The games are designed to get kids talking about things they're passionate about while also developing their public speaking, critical reasoning, and body language skills.
Learn More: ESU.org
22. The Four Corners Game
This is a game to help kids define their position on an issue. It also makes for a great total physical response to lessons about defining the issue and taking a clear stand. This game is also useful for teachers since it allows them to quickly gauge where their students stand on specific middle school debate topics.
Learn More: Teach This
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