SPAR LIT Jr: Understanding Literature Through Speech and Debate Techniques
Class experience
US Grade 3 - 6
Intermediate Level
Kindly note: This is an ESL friendly class, CEFR level — B1-B2 (intermediate). Please feel free to write me via Outschool email with questions. *** Now is the time to use the key skills of speech and debate in the classroom and the world! Our ongoing 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...
6 lessons//6 Weeks
Week 1Lesson 1Consideration of chapters 1 and 2Discussion 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 factsWeek 2Lesson 2Consideration of chapters 3 and 4Discussion 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.Week 3Lesson 3Consideration of chapters 5 and 6Discussion 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.Week 4Lesson 4Consideration of chapters 7 and 8Discussion 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: noWeek 5Lesson 5Consideration of chapters 9 and 10Discussion and Spar Debate with question sparked by: “She had been so certain that the moment she found her father everything would be all right.” Spar Statement: Children have a right to want the protection of their parents. Position 1: Children have a right to want the protection of their parents. Position 2: Children should aim for independence.Week 6Lesson 6Consideration of chapters 11 and 12Discussion and Spar Debate with question sparked by: “We know what things are like. It must be a very limiting thing this seeing.” Spar Question: Can we actually be limited by our senses? Position 1: We don’t use our senses properly to see the world around us or to understand people fully. Position 2: Our senses—seeing, hearing, touch, smell, taste — are miraculous and help us to understand the world.
Students successfully completing this course will be able to: *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
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.
Homework Offered
Students will be required to read the portions of the text we will be considering for the upcoming week. Optional writing assignments will be provided after each class as well to give learners the opportunity both to enhance oral speaking abilities and explore creative writing and further enhance their critical thinking skills. These assignments range from creative writing to assertion essay writing, mapmaking to design and puzzles. The teacher will provide a personalized response to all finished work.0 - 1 hours per week outside of class
Assessments Offered
I will write learners throughout the sessions to offer feedback on their work in class. If students choose to complete the optional assignments I will provide immediate written feedback as well.Grades Offered
1 file available upon enrollmentPencil and paper always!
Learners will not need to use any apps or websites beyond the standard Outschool tools.
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.
Hello, Everyone, I'm Cindy Frank! *Proud ACE Educator and INDEPENDENT TEACHER *Classes limited to 6 students--all have a voice in the classroom * All classes taught, written, and created by me for my learners *Each session a full 55 minutes of...
Group Class
$165
for 6 classes1x per week, 6 weeks
55 min
Completed by 158 learners
Live video meetings
Ages 8-12
2-6 learners per class