Middle School Debate Topics

[cockerpunk]

this thread went exactly as i suspected it would.

there also is a certain lovely irony that the anti-PC crowd have decided that an issue is too controversial to be debated by kids. funny.

[Scuba Steve]

The mother's side of my family way back when was held hostage by indians somewhere around Missouri. Still waiting for the check...

[Crowbob]

Originally Posted by cockerpunk

this thread went exactly as i suspected it would.

there also is a certain lovely irony that the anti-PC crowd have decided that an issue is too controversial to be debated by kids. funny.

I got the impression the anti-PC crowd was questioning the motivation behind choosing the subject, not the subject.

It's obviously a set-up. By the time most of these kids are old enough to think on their own, they won't be able to. Start 'em young!

[cockerpunk]

Originally Posted by Crowbob

I got the impression the anti-PC crowd was questioning the motivation behind choosing the subject, not the subject.

It's obviously a set-up. By the time most of these kids are old enough to think on their own, they won't be able to. Start 'em young!

why is that?

your right wing paranoia is showing. in junior high (8th grade?) we debated gun control, and i was on the anti-gun control side, and still got a good grade. you are making a million and a half assumptions stating its "obviously a set up" you know nothing about the teachers, school, or how the debate will be graded or even how the debate will actually happen.

[Laneco]

Unless the rules and format have changed dramatically since I participated oh so long ago on our school team, to win the debate you must successfully argue BOTH sides.

To argue both sides, you must research it thoroughly and understand it. It is only at that point that you may engage in an intelligent discussion.

That said, I think the subject matter is a little heavy for a 6th grader. Not inappropriate, just a little heavy. Maybe better suited for a high school level debate. For 6th graders, something like these would be interesting debate topics that would also include learning in other subject areas:

1. We should send another mission to the moon.
2. We should allow private individuals to collect and store rainwater.
3. Toys that look like guns should be illegal.
4. We should ban plastic bags.
5. We should require all students to receipt the Pledge of Allegiance

I also think that debate subject matter, particularly at this level, should be influenced by the students. Might come up with some very interesting topics.

angela

[scottmandue]

Originally Posted by cockerpunk

you are making a million and a half assumptions stating its "obviously a set up" you know nothing about the teachers, school, or how the debate will be graded or even how the debate will actually happen.

And you are not making assumptions?
I don't know when you were in 8th grade but I'm pretty sure things have changed drasticaly since I was in grade school back it the 1970's... it was common for boys to carry a pocket knife to school... we had a May Day dance where the boys were forced to dance with girls (the horror!).

You are also assuming anyone against the idea is right wing extremist.

[cockerpunk]

Originally Posted by scottmandue

And you are not making assumptions?
I don't know when you were in 8th grade but I'm pretty sure things have changed drasticaly since I was in grade school back it the 1970's... it was common for boys to carry a pocket knife to school... we had a May Day dance where the boys were forced to dance with girls (the horror!).

You are also assuming anyone against the idea is right wing extremist.

i have direct experience with crowbob and his politics.

i made no assumptions.

[bivenator]

If anything, it will teach that when losing a debate, call the other side a racist and drop the mike.

[bivenator]

Originally Posted by Laneco

Unless the rules and format have changed dramatically since I participated oh so long ago on our school team, to win the debate you must successfully argue BOTH sides.

To argue both sides, you must research it thoroughly and understand it. It is only at that point that you may engage in an intelligent discussion.

That said, I think the subject matter is a little heavy for a 6th grader. Not inappropriate, just a little heavy. Maybe better suited for a high school level debate. For 6th graders, something like these would be interesting debate topics that would also include learning in other subject areas:

1. We should send another mission to the moon.
2. We should allow private individuals to collect and store rainwater.
3. Toys that look like guns should be illegal.
4. We should ban plastic bags.
5. We should require all students to receipt the Pledge of Allegiance

I also think that debate subject matter, particularly at this level, should be influenced by the students. Might come up with some very interesting topics.

angela

You, as usual know what you are talking about.

[Shaun @ Tru6]

How did the phone call with the teacher and/or principal go?

[Crowbob]

Originally Posted by cockerpunk

i have direct experience with crowbob and his politics.

i made no assumptions.

You do?

When have we met?

[look 171]

Originally Posted by cockerpunk

this thread went exactly as i suspected it would.

there also is a certain lovely irony that the anti-PC crowd have decided that an issue is too controversial to be debated by kids. funny.

You have kids and do you know what his concerns are with other kids in Middle school?

I am not totally against the subject but I thing we should tread lightly with those subject for kids at that age. Seems that lots of topics in schools are about all the injustice BS without an answer but pc indoctrination. I worked in a high school for sometime and those seem to be very popular subjects. A subject like building wealth and making a strong country is always avoided.

[bivenator]

Originally Posted by Shaun @ Tru6

How did the phone call with the teacher and/or principal go?

This is the letter that I sent to the teacher. I am waiting on the reply.

Greetings,




My daughter xxxxxxxxx is in your theatre arts class. She will be participating in the debate tournaments. We are thrilled that she is doing this as these skills are invaluable later in life.




I am concerned that the topic for the debate is not age appropriate. Reparations for slavery is quite a controversial hot button topic. The emotions associated with it are raw and quite close to the surface as race relations in this country continue to evolve. I would have expected a subject with more researchable hard facts as opposed to over heated rhetoric. This subject is better suited for cable news programing and not for a middle school debate team. A quick look on the internet using the search "middle school debate topics" returned many web pages with numerous suggestions for topics and not one included "Reparations for Slavery"







It is entirely possible that this was not your decision as a subject and if this is the case can you please tell me where I should direct my concerns.




Thank you,

[scottmandue]

Cocker has a good point...

those of us on both sides are making presumptions.

If would be super nifty keen if the students were all allowed to express their ideas, feeling, and opinions without any intervention or fear or repercussions.

However decades of reports from the media AND from my friends with kids in school leads me to believe the whoever is in charge of the debate will at least attempt to influence the students and thus the outcome of the debate.

I hope/wish I am wrong... I also hope the government will lower my taxes but I'm not holding my breath on that one either.

Now as a descendant of Danish ancestry I am off to google whatever reparations I am allowed.

[strupgolf]

Originally Posted by crb07

This is to educate/re-educate young minds to fit someone's political beliefs/agenda. Completely inappropriate for 6th grade.

Agreed. This is someone's agenda in that school.

[scottmandue]

Originally Posted by scottmandue

Now as a descendant of Danish ancestry I am off to google whatever reparations I am allowed.

Darn... not much oppression against the Danish (stupid Vikings)... we were attacked by Switzerland in 1643... Where is my chocolate? and knife? I demand a Swiss knife!

[McLovin]

I think reparations should be paid.

Anyone who was held as a slave should be paid. They should be given an address where they can go pick up their check, personally.

[cockerpunk]

Originally Posted by Crowbob

You do?

When have we met?

in parf all the time.

or do you lie all day and just pretend to be right wing?

[flipper35]

We had to do gun control at that age.

[Shaun @ Tru6]

Good letter but you know it's going to be read over a diet Mt. Dew with eyes a rollin'. And you've got to say, "when can we discuss."

Calling is the only way you'll get a real answer on what is going on.

Originally Posted by bivenator

This is the letter that I sent to the teacher. I am waiting on the reply.

Greetings,




My daughter xxxxxxxxx is in your theatre arts class. She will be participating in the debate tournaments. We are thrilled that she is doing this as these skills are invaluable later in life.




I am concerned that the topic for the debate is not age appropriate. Reparations for slavery is quite a controversial hot button topic. The emotions associated with it are raw and quite close to the surface as race relations in this country continue to evolve. I would have expected a subject with more researchable hard facts as opposed to over heated rhetoric. This subject is better suited for cable news programing and not for a middle school debate team. A quick look on the internet using the search "middle school debate topics" returned many web pages with numerous suggestions for topics and not one included "Reparations for Slavery"







It is entirely possible that this was not your decision as a subject and if this is the case can you please tell me where I should direct my concerns.




Thank you,