Debate and Public Speaking Camp - Level I (Beginners)
In this two month program, middle school students will learn the fundamentals of public speaking, debate and speech. Each week we have practice speeches that culminate with practice tournaments in debate, public speaking, and speechwriting.
Erik, Professor, J.D, MS, BS
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4.9
Number of reviews:(1,140)
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What's included
8 live meetings
8 in-class hoursHomework
2-4 hours per week. 1. Speech and Debate Assignments. Each student should spend 1-2 hours a week on their speeches and/or debates. 2. Recommend: Students should be reading current events on a weekly or daily basis. But this is not a prerequisite for this course.Assessment
1. Speech Practices! Each class students have a short speech due on a different topic. We will review these speeches at the beginning of class. 2. Speech Practice Day! We have one class devoted to a speech practice contest. Everyone will have the opportunity to judge. 3. Debate Practice Day! We will have one class devoted to a debate practice for all. 4. Verbal Speech Feedback: We will spend part of each class reviewing our weekly speech assignments and providing verbal feedback. 5. Written Speech Feedback: Students will receive written Feedback on Chat and on their Flip Speeches. 6. Student/Peer Feedback: Students are also encouraged to review and provide written feedback on each student speech to practice judging skills.Class Experience
US Grade 5 - 8
Beginner Level
CLASS SUMMARY: This is a great class for middle school students (Grades 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th) completely new to public speaking and debate as well as for students who do have some competitive experience and interested in learning more. Each class will review different public speaking and debate skills. Every class features an interactive lecture (games, slides, video clips, discussions, and prizes) as well as practice time for public speaking and debate skills. And lot's of comedy! :) The class will prepare you for the end of the class speech & debate practice tournament. CLASS SCHEDULE: We begin each class with practicing our public speaking skills by reviewing our practice speeches (15-20 minutes). We then have an interactive lecture with activities on a weekly debate or public speaking skill (30-40 minutes). The class culminates with a fun speech contest and debate contest on our last days. CLASS TIMES: Speech and Debate Camp is offered nearly every day of the week to accommodate all schedules! The Camp includes a debate tournament and speech tournament. This is a two month program. CLASS SCHEDULE (8 classes) Class #1 - Introduction to Speech and Debate Class #2 - Public Speaking Skills Part 1 Class #3 - Public Speaking Skills Part 2 Class #4 - Debate Skills Part 1 Class #5 - Debate Skills Part 2 Class #6 - Class Speech Practice Class #7 - Class Debate Practice Class #8 - Debate Skills Part 3 CLASS PRACTICE TOURNAMENTS: On two days of class we have mini practice tournaments. DEBATE CAMP CLASS SEQUENCE Beginners Speech and Debate Camp Level I (Beginners) *** This Class!***** https://outschool.com/classes/middle-school-speech-and-debate-camp-edkFYUzZ?usid=j2iJky1O&signup=true&utm_campaign=share_activity_link Beginners Speech and Debate Camp Level II (Beginners): Debate Skills & Events This is the next step for Debate Camp Level #1 students. In this class we learn advanced debate skills and different debate formats. https://outschool.com/classes/middle-school-speech-and-debate-camp-level-ii-TeSFoFwy?usid=j2iJky1O&signup=true&utm_campaign=share_activity_link Debate and Public Speaking Camp Level III: Congressional Debate & Civics This is an Intermediate/Advanced Debate class that focuses on the popular debate event of Congressional Debate. Students will learn all aspects of Congressional Debate from writing Resolutions, Bills, Amendments and Authorship Speeches to running for the Presiding Officer position. Even if not in the debate event of Congressional Debate, you will learn and practice advanced debating and writing skills, practice for the Advanced Placement US Government & Politics Exam, and learn about career opportunities in Congress, Legislation, and lawmaking. Class Link: https://outschool.com/classes/debate-and-public-speaking-camp-level-3-congressional-debate-3MkF7GLQ Beginners Speech and Debate Camp Level III: The Speech Events! In this camp we will focus on the speech events and advanced public speaking skills. Highly recommended for debaters as well, since public speaking and audience adaptation is the #1 debate skill. https://outschool.com/classes/middle-school-speech-and-debate-camp-level-ii-the-speech-events-8AJXuexH?usid=j2iJky1O&signup=true&utm_campaign=share_activity_link Speech and Debate Camp Level III: Model United Nations Debates! This class continues our debate skills but focused exclusively on international topics. And you’ll learn a different debate event which you can do in elementary, middle, high school, college and career! Half of the class is devoted to Model UN speeches, debates and other skills. The other half of the class is devoted to UN Debate Topics and the latest global current events. https://outschool.com/classes/model-united-nations-club-and-conference-6J6E8cjx?usid=j2iJky1O&signup=true&utm_campaign=share_activity_link OTHER MIDDLE SCHOOL COURSES OFFERED: Current Events Club https://outschool.com/classes/current-events-club-debate-speech-advocate-change-the-world-2QgX0MtZ?usid=j2iJky1O&signup=true&utm_campaign=share_activity_link FOLLOW MY OUTSCHOOL PROFILE FOR UPDATES! Follow my Outschool Profile for any new classes & updates! https://outschool.com/teachers/eriktheteacher
Learning Goals
1. Students will improve their understanding and practice of public speaking skills and specifically the skills of passion, ethos, logos, hand gestures, eye contact and body movement.
2. Students will improve their understanding and practice of debate skills - note taking (flowing), constructing an argument, clash and refutation.
3. Students will improve their understanding and practice of speechwriting skills - introductions, conclusions, persuasive writing and research.
4. Students will participate in both a speech and debate practices.
5. Students will learn various speech and debate formats and events that they can participate in.
6. Students will learn the history of Great Debaters and Famous Public Speakers and why we do speech and debate. Specially, the power of speech and debate to make the world a better place.
Syllabus
Curriculum
Follows Teacher-Created Curriculum8 Lessons
over 8 WeeksLesson 1:
Introduction to Debate Camp & Public Speaking Skills I
This lesson introduces the class, Apps we will be using, Famous Debaters in History, the Importance of Public Speaking and Debate, and our first Section on Public Speaking Skills. Students will have their first practice speech. 60 mins online live lesson
1 assignment
Lesson 2:
Public Speaking Skills II
This lesson focuses on numerous public speaking skills that can be used in both Debate and Speech. Students will also submit and provide feedback for their second practice speech. 60 mins online live lesson
1 assignment
Lesson 3:
Public Speaking Skills III
This lesson continues public speaking skills and also goes into speechwriting skills. Students will also submit and we will review their third practice speech. 60 mins online live lesson
1 assignment
Lesson 4:
Introduction to Debate Skills
In this lesson we transition from public speaking to an introduction of debate skills. Students will continue to practice their public speaking skills by submitting their Speech #4 for review and feedback. 60 mins online live lesson
1 assignment
Other Details
Parental Guidance
External Resources Statement: We will be using a variety of classroom tools, readings, links and other external resources including Kahoot, Blooket, and Quizlet. Please review the Materials section before signing up for this class. These resources are optional. No accounts have to be created. All these resources are free. All these resources have been vetted and used widely by students, schools and teachers.
External Resources
In addition to the Outschool classroom, this class uses:
Sources
External Resources Statement: We will be using a variety of classroom tools, readings, links and other external resources. Please review the Materials section before signing up for this class. These resources are optional. No accounts have to be created. All these resources are free. All these resources have been vetted and used widely by students, schools and teachers.
Joined September, 2020
4.9
1140reviews
Star Educator
Popular
Teacher expertise and credentials
Bachelor's Degree in History from University of California, Berkeley
I have been involved in speech and debate as a student and educator my entire life. I learned more in my Speech and Debate Club than all my high school, college and law school classes combined. I joined the Speech and Debate Team at my middle school because I was very shy of public speaking. I have been hooked in speech and debate since!
I received my B.A. from U.C Berkeley, Jurist Doctorate from Hastings College of Law, and Masters Degree in Education at Pace University. In 2002 I was accepted to Teach for America and I have been teaching since. I have been a public school teacher for ten years with the New York City Department of Education and taught speech and debate classes for about ten years with thousands of NYC students. My debaters have gone on to win city, state and national champion titles. I currently serve as Professor at Baruch College in the Communications Studies Department. I teach Debate and Argumentation classes as well as Political Rhetoric.
As a teacher I helped to co-found the Big Apple Debate League which is now the NY Debate League. In 2011, I founded our city's Urban Debate League with the mission that every middle school and high school should have a debate team. I served as Founder and Executive Director from 2011-2019 building the league into the largest citywide debate league in the nation, serving thousands of students every year. In 2020, I left the nonprofit world, and I returned to my passion as a full time teacher!
I have received numerous awards in education including the United States Supreme Court Summer Institute for Teachers Fellowship, Fund for Teachers Fellowship, Plank Foundation Fellowship, and Teach for America Innovation Award Finalist.
I love teaching. My grandparents, parents and my brother are all educators. There is nothing more fun than sharing your passion with others.
My philosophy of teaching is learning should be fun and challenging. My lectures are interactive with movie clips, songs, puzzles and other engaging tools. We always practice our public speaking and debate skills. All my classes end with a fun and competitive speech and debate practice or tournament. My mission is all students should have access to speech and debate.
Press. Below are some news articles about me and my debaters! I owe everything to my own debate teacher and coach and so everyday my mission is to support future debaters!
1. First Lady Michelle Obama Honors Erik and the Great Debaters
https://tinyurl.com/29u2cfpw
2. Bronx debate team one of 12 school groups nationally to get visit with Michelle Obama
http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/bronx/skilled-young-orators-heading-white-house-article-1.1203407
3. New York City Teacher Creates After School Debate League Lauded by the White House
http://www.prweb.com/releases/2012/11/prweb10156172.htm
PS - If this is your first class on Outschool, Outschool has a promotion for a $20 discount for all new students taking their first class. Coupon Code (use at checkout): ERIK2020Reviews
Live Group Course
$160
for 8 classes1x per week, 8 weeks
60 min
Completed by 3906 learners
Live video meetings
Ages: 9-14
9-18 learners per class
