Spar Lit Jr. Boot Camp 1: Understanding Books Through Debate--A Wrinkle in Time
In this 2-week multi-day class (exact same content as my own 6-week Spar Lit Jr: Understanding Literature through Speech and Debate Techniques) we will explore the Award-winning A Wrinkle In Time through discussion and Spar debate. #academic
Cindy Frank
Average rating:
5.0
Number of reviews:(652)
Star Educator
What's included
6 live meetings
5 hrs 30 mins in-class hoursHomework
1 hour per week. Students will be required to read two short chapters of the book prior to each session. There is optional homework after each class. If learners choose to complete the optional homework they will receive immediate feedback.Assessment
Learners and families will receive written feedback throughout the class.Class Experience
US Grade 3 - 6
Intermediate Level
Great readers unite! I am so very proud to adapt my own 6-week Spar Lit Jr: Understanding Literature Through Speech and Debate Techniques, A Wrinkle in Time into a 6 session 2-week class with exactly the same lessons and content as the long term 6-week version of the class. Same lessons, same enjoyment of the class except we get to finish the book faster! Spar Lit Jr: Understanding Literature Through Speech and Debate (A Wrinkle in Time) Spar Lit Jr. 2: Understanding Literature Through Debate --A Long Way From Chicago. Spar Lit Jr. 3: Understanding Literature Through Debate--The Westing Game Spar Lit Jr. 4: From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler Spar Lit Jr. 5: Understanding Blue Balliett's Chasing Vermeer Through Debate Spar Lit Jr. 6: Understanding Harriet the Spy Through Speech and Debate Spar Lit Jr. 7; Understanding A Single Shard Through Speech and Debate Spar Lit Jr. 8: The Phantom Tollbooth Through Speech and Debate are all my own self-created classes. All of these classes have now been adapted from long-term multi-week classes into multi-session 2-week Spar Lit Jr. Boot Camp versions. Our 6 session 2-week A Wrinkle in Time class will focus on blending the acknowledged technique of Spar debating with understanding literature through debate and discussion. Spar means “SPontaneous ARgumentation” a quicktime technique that is used to prepare students for formal debate. Our class will use Spar debating the key points of literature to explore the essential and critically-acclaimed Madeleine L’Engle’s A Wrinkle in Time. The result? Students will learn to take a position on key issues involving intriguing and provocative literary questions, while gaining a nuanced and thorough understanding both sides of every issue. All students will gain an enhanced exploration of literature while expanding debate techniques. This class has been purposely limited to six students to maximize the participation of every learner. In addition, optional homework assignments, created to enhance critical thinking, are available to learners after each session. If learners choose to complete the optional assignments they will receive immediate written response. Spar is quick debate! With debaters given the Pro or Con position, a short Spar debate can illuminate ideas and provide for more nuanced critical thinking. Each of the classes will run as follows: 5 minutes of general introduction 20 minutes of interactive discussion on the chapter or pages set for the class 20 minutes of ongoing Spar pro/con debate involving key literary questions from the weekly reading 15 minutes of recap of the Spar discussions and the points raised by the students. **** How does SPAR debating work? 10 MINUTE MINI DEBATES! Students face off in pairs to debate a Pro/Con question involving the specific reading from literature for the day. COIN FLIP TO DETERMINE PRO/CON 2 minutes Both students have 1 to 2 minutes to brainstorm ideas for their position (evidence/arguments) 1 minute Pro student gives a 1 minute opening statement to make their case (Con student listens quietly and takes notes) 1 minute Con student gives a 1 minute opening statement to make their case (Pro student listens quietly and take notes) 30 seconds Both students think! 3 minutes Mini crossfire discussion where both students can ask each other questions about opposing statements. 30 seconds Both students think again to prepare their closing statements 1 minute Con student gives a 1 minute closing statement (Pro student listens quietly) 1 minute Pro student gives a 1 minute closing statement (Con student listens quietly) *** Our sessions will run as follows: Week 1 Day 1: chapters 1 & 2 Day 2: chapters 3 & 4 Day 3: chapters 5 & 6 Week 2 Day 4: chapters 7 & 8 Day 5: chapters 9 & 10 Day 6: chapters 11 & 12 No previous experience with speech and debate or Spar debating required, However, this class also provides an excellent outlet for speech and debate students interested in enhancing their ability to communicate their ideas with clarity and style that will be useful in classrooms and in ongoing discussions everywhere. Note: My own Spar Lit Jr. courses (Spar Lit Jr 1: A Wrinkle in Time, Spar Lit Jr 2: A Long Way From Chicago, Spar Lit Jr. 3: The Westing Game, 4: From the Mixed -Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler, 5 Harriet the Spy, 6. Chasing Vermeer, 7, A Single Shard, The 8 Phantom Tollbooth ) can be taken in any order.
Learning Goals
*To gain confidence in speaking and organization
*Understand all the basic ideas of debate and rhetoric
*Gain deeper understanding of literature through debate
* To communicate effectively through speaking, thinking adroitly and responding fluently
* Improve memory retention and organizational skills
* Gain confidence and poise in oral presentation
* Expand vocabulary and word usage
*To gain deeper understanding of the nuances of literature
Syllabus
6 Lessons
over 2 WeeksLesson 1:
Consideration of chapters 1 and 2
Discussion and Spar Debate with question sparked by: “I do face facts,” Meg said. “They’re lots easier to face than people, I can tell you."
Spar Statement:
Facts are easier to understand than people.
Position 1: Facts are easier to understand than people.
Position 2: No, people are easier to understand than facts 55 mins online live lesson
Lesson 2:
Consideration of chapters 3 and 4
Discussion and Spar Debate with question sparked by: “Maybe we weren’t meant to meet before this.’ Calvin said. “I knew you but I didn’t know you."
Spar Question:
Is it possible that there are people out in the world that we are meant to meet, things we are meant to do that are fated to happen?
position 1: Yes, things are fated to happen to us.
position 2: No, we have control over our lives and decisions. 55 mins online live lesson
Lesson 3:
Consideration of chapters 5 and 6
Discussion and Spar Debate with question sparked by: “You see, though we travel together, we travel alone.”
—Mrs .Whatsit
Spar Statement:
Even independent people need help sometimes.
Position 1: Yes — Even independent people need the help of others sometimes.
Position 2: No — Independent people can and should do most things on their own. 55 mins online live lesson
Lesson 4:
Consideration of chapters 7 and 8
Discussion and Spar Debate with question sparked by: “For why would you wish to fight someone who is only here to save you pain and trouble?…I am willing to assume all the pain, all the responsibility, all the burdens of thought and decisions.”
Spar Question:
Would you give up your free will (your ability to make choices) to be completely taken care of so you’d have no responsibilities and never feel upset or pain?
Position 1: yes
Position 2: no 55 mins online live lesson
Other Details
Supply List
Pencil and paper always!
1 file available upon enrollment
Sources
A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle. I have provided a pdf of the full book with the sign up for this class although many students prefer to purchase their own copy (available through Amazon or many other sources) prior to class.
Joined July, 2020
5.0
652reviews
Star Educator
Teacher expertise and credentials
Bachelor's Degree from The University of Michigan, 1982 Honors in The History of Art, Does not Expire
Longtime teacher of literature for both middle and high school students. Founder and former coach of an award-winning Speech and Debate team that competed at local, state and national levels, long-time speech judge for local, regional, national speech events for NCFL and National Speech and Debate Association, former teacher of high school debate and rhetoric, art history, literature, and AP Language and Composition.
Reviews
Live Group Course
$165
for 6 classes3x per week, 2 weeks
55 min
Completed by 31 learners
Live video meetings
Ages: 8-12
2-6 learners per class
