Let's debate! Whether your kid loves to argue or tends to be more shy when expressing ideas, this public speaking & debate course for elementary and middle schoolers will help them with refining speaking skill while boosting self-confidence. Over 8 weeks students will explore the foundations of formulating a speech, participating in a debate, and speaking publicly (in a group forum). Our teachers provide a safe space for students to express opinions without feeling judged. The instructor will give feedback on the strength and weakness of each argument. This course provides an introduction to debating, and focuses heavily on individual performance. Students will engage in rebuttals as time permits.

Class Overview:
- Welcome & Share
- Discussing the Topic of the Day
- Student Research & Writing
- Presentations and Debate 
- Instructor feedback, group discussion

Frequently Asked Questions:
Will my child benefit if they are the only student?
Yes! Developing debate skills is not about having fun arguing. Some students like one on one engagement with the instructor. The instructor will debate with the student and provide the student with the same feedback. If your child is only interested in debating so they can argue, then this class is not a good fit.

If the class doesn't meet the minimum will it be canceled?
When a class hasn't met the minimum we will frequently make an attempt to reach a family about rescheduling for a different time or postponing the start date by 1 week. If we agree to run a class that has not met the minimum, we are doing so because we believe there are still invaluable lessons the student will get out of the class. 

Can my child pick what they want to debate?
No. Students get a lot of free choice in this course (they get to pick what movie or book they want to debate), but there are some limitations. At times student may be asked to argue in support of something they do not personally agree with. For example, the student is assigned to argue that children should be allowed to have credit cards in order to learn good money habits. While a student may prefer to argue against this idea since it does not reflect their "personal" belief, it would benefit them to learn to research and argue the opposing side. By participating in this class the student it is understood that the student is mature enough to accept the learning opportunity presented, rather than becoming upset and choosing not to participate in the debate.

Will my child be searching the internet?
This class is designed to support civic debate in addition to learning to use research to support a viewpoint. Students should be comfortable using the internet for research; however, the instructor will provide students with links to articles that can be used to support their arguments. Students will also learn about what reliable support material (no personal blogs/ celebrity social media accounts, no tabloids, gossip columns, or news sources that provide unverifiable information).