Spar Mystery Bootcamp 3: Christie's The Murder of Roger Ackroyd Through Debate
In this 2-week multi-day class we will expand critical thinking skills as we immerse ourselves in Agatha Christie's brilliant masterpiece, The Murder of Roger Ackroyd, through discussion and Spar debate. ESL friendly, CEFR level C1, C2 #academic
Cindy Frank
Average rating:
5.0
Number of reviews:(652)
Star Educator
What's included
8 live meetings
7 hrs 20 mins in-class hoursHomework
1-2 hours per week. Students will be required to read the portions of the text we will be considering for the upcoming class. We will be reading 4 to 5 chapters per session for this class. There will be optional writing assignments given after each session that can be returned for detailed comment and assessment.Assessment
Families and learners will receive written assessments throughout the class.Class Experience
US Grade 7 - 10
Advanced Level
Dear Detectives, Time to use those "little grey cells!" I am so very proud to adapt my own Spar Mystery 2! Understanding The Murder of Roger Ackroyd Through Debate into an 8-session 2-week class with exactly the same lessons and content as the long term 8-week version of the class. Same lessons, same enjoyment of the class except we get to finish the book faster! *** Kindly note: This is an ESL friendly class, CEFR level — C1, C2 (Advanced) Please feel free to write me via Outschool email with questions. *** Voted by the British Crime Writers Association as "the best crime novel of all time", Agatha Christie's The Murder of Roger Ackroyd is also the perfect book to employ both the technique of Spar debating and to maximize critical thinking to learn to use "those little grey cells" in the same manner as Hercule Poirot himself. Spar Mystery 2!: Understanding The Murder of Roger Ackroyd Through Debate is the second in my own series of Spar Mystery classes which began with my own Spar Mystery!: Understanding The Hound of the Baskervilles Through Debate. It is not necessary to have taken Spar Mystery!: Understanding The Hound of the Baskervilles first before taking Spar Mystery 2. Each class in Spar Mystery will feature an introduction with games and mind puzzles based on the work of Maria Konnikova's Mastermind to give students the opportunity to further sharpen their critical thinking skills. Optional writing assignments will be provided as well to give learners the opportunity both to enhance oral speaking abilities and explore creative writing. Spar Mystery follows the same format as my own Spar Lit Sr: Understanding Essays Through Speech and Debate and Spar Lit Sr: Understanding Short Stories Through Speech and Debate. Our 8-session class will focus on blending the acknowledged technique of Spar debating with understanding The Murder of Roger Ackroyd 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 to explore dive deep into one of the finest mysteries in history, No previous experience in speech or debate is necessary for full participation in this class. The result? Students will learn to take a position on key issues involving intriguing 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. Spar Debate questions will focus on the literary aspect of each weekly reading from the book and the Spar debates are evidence-based from the essays themselves. The 30 minute discussion at the beginning of each session, guided by me, will allow all students to engage in productive discussion. Guidance will be given as to the parameters of Spar debating which are evidence-based not guided by emotional responses. This class has been purposely limited to six students to maximize the participation of every learner. Optional homework assignments are available for all 8 sessions--detailed and nuanced responses will be sent to all students who choose to complete the optional assignments. 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 ongoing class will run as follows: 5 minutes of general introduction 30 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 **** How does Spar debating work? 10 MINUTE MINI DEBATES! Students face off to debate a Pro/Con question involving the specific reading from literature for the day. COIN FLIP TO DETERMINE PRO/CON Students have 1 minute to brainstorm ideas for their position (evidence/arguments) 1 minute Pro students give a 1 minute opening statements to make their case (Con students listen quietly and takes notes) 1 minute Con students give a 1 minute opening statement to make their case (Pro students listen quietly and take notes) 30 seconds Everyone thinks! 2 to 3 minutes Grand Crossfire discussion where all students can ask each other questions about opposing statements. 30 seconds All students think again to prepare their closing statements 30 seconds Con students give a 30 second closing statement (Pro students listen quietly) 30 seconds Pro students give a 30 second closing statement (Con students listens quietly Class Plan Week 1 Class 1: The History of the Mystery and Dame Agatha Christie Class 2: Chapters 1-4 Class 3: Chapters 5-9 Class 4: Chapters 10-14 Week 2 Class 5: Chapters 15-19 Class 6: Chapters 20-23 Class 7: Chapters 24-27 (End) Class 8: Puzzles, games, and becoming mystery writers ourselves.
Learning Goals
*To gain confidence in speaking and organization
*Understand all the basic ideas of debate and rhetoric
*Gain deeper understanding of mystery 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 and the mystery novel
Syllabus
8 Lessons
over 2 WeeksLesson 1:
The History of the Mystery and Dame Agatha Christie
Understanding the English Country House Murder Mystery, background on Agatha Christie, observational exercises involving Frances Gleisner Lee's Nutshell Studies of Unexplained Death 55 mins online live lesson
Lesson 2:
Discussion of chapters 1-4
Discussion of chapters 1-4 and Spar Debating sparked by: Poirot's idea of the "most important work in the world."
Spar Statement:
Our work habits are what keep us motivated and keep us feeling secure throughout life, unconcerned about the goal at the end to achieve contentment.
Position 1: Agree with the above statement.
Position 2: Disagree with the above statement. We work throughout our lives with a goal in mind and only when we’ve achieved this goal do we feel contentment. 55 mins online live lesson
Lesson 3:
Discussion of chapters 5-9
Discussion of chapters 5-9 and Spar Debating sparked by:"
No. if I go into this you must understand one thing clearly.
I shall go through with it to the end.
The good dog he does not leave the scent, remember?"
Spar Statement: We always value the truth no matter how harsh it may be.
Position 1: Agree with the above statement.
Position 2: Disagree with the above statement. Sometimes we all prefer to put on “rose-tinted glasses to shield ourselves from painful truths.” 55 mins online live lesson
Lesson 4:
Discussion of chapters 10-14
Discussion of chapters 10-14 and Spar Debating sparked by: '“No,” says Dr. Sheppard. “Only a man with more money than was good for him.”
Spar Statement: Money is the root of all evil.
Position 1: Agree with this statement. Explain.
Position 2: Disagree with this statement. There are far greater evils in the world that are sparked by far different things than money. Explain. 55 mins online live lesson
Other Details
Parental Guidance
The Murder of Roger Ackroyd, is of course a murder mystery, and while the descriptions are not of a graphic nature, there is mention of knives, firearms, and poisons as well as mentions of suicide that are essential to the themes of the story. If you have questions or concerns please feel free to reach out to me.
Supply List
Learners will need a copy of The Murder of Roger Ackroyd available at your local library or via for purchase via amazon.com, local bookstores, or via second-hand bookstores such as Thriftbooks.com https://www.thriftbooks.com/ as well at reduced prices. We work with powerpoints in class and so it doesn't matter which edition of the book you choose.
External Resources
Learners will not need to use any apps or websites beyond the standard Outschool tools.
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, I am also a mystery aficionado who has taught a high school class in genre literature, featuring numerous mystery novels including The Hound of the Baskervilles and other Agatha Christie novels. I am also the 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
$225
for 8 classes4x per week, 2 weeks
55 min
Completed by 1 learner
Live video meetings
Ages: 12-17
3-6 learners per class
