High School Speech and Debate Part 1 Full Year Curriculum
Come learn about competitive Speech and Debate with friends. Class will focus on Public Speaking Skills, Case Construction, Flowing and the Lincoln Douglas Debate Style. Teacher follows NSDA, ADL and TOC format.
Jennifer Hughes, B.A., J.D., LL.M, LC
Average rating:
4.8
Number of reviews:(654)
Popular
What's included
15 live meetings
15 in-class hoursHomework
1-2 hours per week. Students will work on presentations and case construction.Assessment
Assessments offered on parents request. Students will compete in a debate round with outside judges at the end of the semester.Grading
Transcripts available upon request.Class Experience
US Grade 9 - 12
Beginner - Intermediate Level
Whether your student argues like a pro, wants to be President or is a bit shy and needs to develop speaking skills, this class welcomes you. Participating in debate teaches many relevant skills, such as persuasive writing, critical listening and thinking, logical reasoning, organizing, speaking clearly in prepared and extemporaneous contexts, efficient notetaking, being creative and adapting, collaborating with others, evaluating and adapting to new information, asking relevant questions, acting professionally, and treating others with respect. Our first unit focuses on speech and public speaking skills. From there we will move to Lincoln-Douglas Debate, which is a bit more academic, and research driven. Topics are chosen from the National Speech and Debate Association website. All events will be examined in class. Students not interested in debate, may choose to compete with a speech event instead. Please Note: This class is for High School Students and those students that are in Seventh and Eighth Grade that are considered advanced debate or speech competitors. There is a Middle School Option that younger students can join. In Part One we will focus on Public Speaking Skills and Lincoln Douglas Debate. Part Two: We emphasize Public Forum and continue to work on speech pieces. I have taught this class for many years in a traditional setting and coached our High School Speech and Debate team for almost 18 years for both the NSDA, ADL and TOC circuits. I compete with both traditional and progressive debate. I also currently coach for Potomac Debate and attend tournaments such as Harvard, Georgetown and TOC. As a coach, I have students win bids on the TOC circuits, qualify for nationals and even had a middle school student win the Harvard tournament in 2024. I have successful middle school students and high school students. At the state level, my students have won several State Championships in various events and moved on to Nationals through NSDA. It is hard work but so rewarding. Students will be given a grade rubric with expectations for all projects. Some skills that we work on are body posture, eye contact, hooks, fillers, facial expressions, research, credible versus biased sources and so much more. The skills and friendships students gain from this class will last a lifetime.
Learning Goals
Public Speaking Skills: body posture, eye contact, movement, fillers, facial expressions, pronunciation, tone and pace.
Phases of the debate and how to flow.
Research and Writing: What is credible research, writing a narrative and case construction. Understanding how to include impacts, solvency and weight.
Syllabus
Curriculum
Follows Teacher-Created Curriculum15 Lessons
over 15 WeeksLesson 1:
Introduction to Public Speaking
Students will learn how to give an effective presentation. As a group we will conduct interviews asking questions and relaying back the information. 60 mins online live lesson
Lesson 2:
Presentations and Debate Events
This week students will present a two-minute speech that they prepared, and we will go over all competitive speech and debate events. Students will choose their own speech and debate path. 60 mins online live lesson
Lesson 3:
Introduction to Debate Structure
Today we will discuss case construction with an emphasis on claim, warrant and impact. 60 mins online live lesson
Lesson 4:
Credible Research
Students will learn about judge's paradigms, and research expectations. 60 mins online live lesson
Other Details
Learning Needs
Teacher will help with any learning needs. Please let the teacher know ahead of time.
Parental Guidance
Students will need to practice their pieces and/or debates. They will present during class. I am okay with video cameras and sound off during class. However, for their presentations they will need to share. If they absolutely cannot for various reasons get on camera, please let me know so accommodations can be made before our class begins. Students will need to purchase their own scripts if they choose to compete in a speech even for our follow up class. The class is graded traditionally, and is project based. I do use break out rooms on occasion for students to work together that are on the same side. I will visit the breakout rooms to make sure everything is running smoothly.
We follow National Speech and Debate Association events and topics in class. NSDA recognizes that High Schoolers are older and allows them to tackle some pretty adult topics in appropriate and safe ways. If your student is sensitive to discussions about death (lives lost), lack of human rights, terrorism, etc. please know that our debate topics are current issues, and High Schoolers can come up with educated reasons for their side of their debate even if it is a bit dark. We look at utilitarianism and consequentialism. It really hasn't been an issue and if you would like to check this type of debate out, just look up NSDA Lincoln Douglas Championships on Youtube and you can watch a full debate. You can also search NSDA topics, and also NSDA events.
Pre-Requisites
None
Joined March, 2020
4.8
654reviews
Popular
Teacher expertise and credentials
Doctoral Degree from State University of Buffalo School of Law
I am a Professor, Speech and Debate Coach and Instructor on various platforms and High School and Middle School teacher. I am also a retired attorney in New York State. I taught Speech and Debate for many years at the Middle and High School Level. My students have won awards at both the State and National levels. In 2024 one of my students co-championed Harvard and has a bid for Nationals. Several received scholarships to college based on their speech and debate accomplishments, as well as entrance into competitve High Schools. I also teach Advanced Placement US Government, Advanced Placement Comparative Government and traditional High School Government, going on fifteen year. I know it is important to introduce a fact based, non-biased lesson to students that will foster discussions with their family. For twenty years I have had the opportunity to work with students from Pre-K through Graduate School in both a traditional learning atmosphere and those classes that deviate from neurotypical teaching. I held my teaching certification in World History/US History/Government and Economics for Middle and High School. My teaching philosophy is that all students are individuals and unique learners that must have a stimulating educational environment where they can grow physically, mentally, emotionally, and socially. It is my desire to create this type of atmosphere where students can meet their full potential. I will provide a safe environment where students are invited to share their ideas and where mistakes are considered education victories.
While incorporating the eight learning styles into each class, I believe that there are five essential elements that are conducive to learning. (1) The teacher's role is to act as a guide. (2) Students must have access to hands-on activities. (3) Students should be able to have choices and let their curiosity direct their learning. (4) Students need the opportunity to practice skills in a safe environment. (5) Technology must be incorporated into the school day.
Reviews
Live Group Course
$25
weekly or $365 for 15 classes1x per week, 15 weeks
60 min
Completed by 54 learners
Live video meetings
Ages: 12-17
6-14 learners per class
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