Make Sure Your School Is Represented:
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Why Debate?
Debate is a highly engaging activity, which serves as a platform for teaching the laws of logic, reasoning & listening skills, research & the use of technology, writing skills, and of course public speaking. All of these skills directly support the Syracuse City School District’s priorities as well as addressing multiple Common Core Standards.
Research tells us that middle school is a period of considerable brain growth with the shift from concrete to abstract processing and growing capabilities in problem solving, planning, and critical thinking. Debate can support and enhance brain development as an activity requiring and honing these skills, while having fun. "The process is valuable for all students because it teaches many of the so-called softer skills now linked to future success." |
Details
The competition is open to all middle schools in the Syracuse City School District for students in the 6th, 7th, or 8th grade.
Registration is limited to one team per school. A team shall consist of no less than 3 students and no more than 6. Teams will be given their debate topics in advance. Teams will not learn which side of their argument they will be assigned in advance. This uncertainty will require them to think through the issue with an open mind and, channeling empathy, to see how others might present a case in which they might not personally believe. The day of the competition, each team will be randomly assigned the side they will argue in the debate. Each team member will be allowed to use 1 sheet of paper or 3 index cards during the debate for their speech notes or for the purpose of taking notes (they may use front and back of their paper or cards). |