ND Curriculum Initiative

The North Dakota Curriculum Initiative (NDCI) is a long-term professional development program for North Dakota public and non-public school curriculum administrators and teachers.

Battle of Wits

NDCLP. For grade(s)

K

.

The “Battle of Wits” is an informal albeit competitive debate among students in class. Teams of two pair up, pick topic, formulate a proposition, organize key affirmative and negative arguments, and compose their statements. This particular “Battle” will enable teams to add visual and audio effects through the development of a google.docs presentation program. In addition to the visual presentation, students will be able to collaborate in school and at home on the composition of debate drafts.

Subject & Standards

1. Students engage in the research process.: 4. Students engage in the speaking and listening process: 5. Students understand media.:

Equipment/Materials Needed

Sendit email accounts, GoogleDocs account, Student will be using district databases as well as other websites to gather information

Understandings & Goals

How to research a topic in order to effectively communicate ideas and/arguments with another or in front of a group.

Questions Answered

How do I prepare for a competitive debate?
What do I need to prepare in writing?
What do I need to know about my opponents argument?
How do I use my voice to effectively communicate my ideas?
How can I use images (presentation slides) to effectively enhance my argument?

Procedures

1.  Register for Send-it Email. (1 day)
2.  Register for google docs account (1 day)
3.  Generate topic ideas and proposition statements (1 day – due the next)
4.  Pick groups and positions (1 day)
5.  Research, read and identify key positions in argument. (2 days)
6.  Articulate key positions and organize notes for further research.
7.  Research, read, take notes and site sources. (3-5 days)
8.  Write arguments and develop presentation slides. (2-3 days)
9.  Debate. (3-4 days)
10.  Evaluation (1/2 day)

Lesson Created By

This lesson was created by alicia.marsh. Learn more about alicia.marsh on their profile page.