Kindly note:
This is an ESL friendly class, CEFR  level — B1-B2 (intermediate).
Please feel free to write me via Outschool email with questions.
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Spar Lit Jr. 3: Understanding Literature Through Debate--The Westing Game  is the 3rd in my own series of  Spar Lit Jr. Outschool classes, following my Spar Lit Jr:  Understanding Literature Through Speech and Debate (A Wrinkle in Time) and Spar Lit Jr. 2: Understanding Literature Through Debate --A Long Way From Chicago.

Now is the time to use the key skills of  speech and debate in the classroom and the world with Ellen Raskin's acclaimed The Westing Game! The Newbery-Award winning The Westing Game was ranked number one among all-time children's novels in a survey published by School Library Journal in 2012.[

An extremely funny, puzzle-mystery book, The Westing Game tells the story of the sixteen surprise heirs of millionaire paper magnet Samuel Westing who are all invited to live at Sunset Towers apartments  on the Chicago shoreline. The heirs are divided into pairs and presented with sets of baffling clues.  The pair that solves the mystery will inherit Westing's entire $200 million fortune and control of his company.

Both first time students and learners who have taken Spar Lit Jr. A Wrinkle in Time and/or Spar Lit Jr. A Long Way From Chicago  are welcome in this class. No previous experience with Spar debate is necessary. 

Our classes 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 Newbery Honor Book The Westing Game, 

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.  

Moreover, 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. 

Our 8-session class will run as follows:
Week 1: The History of the Mystery and introduction to The Westing Game
Week 2: Chapters 1 through 5
Week 3: Chapters 6 through 10
Week 4: Chapters 11 through 15
Week 5: Chapters 16 through 20
Week 6: Chapters 21 through 25
Week 7: Chapters 26 through 30
Week 8: Celebration Class, Recap of the Big Ideas in the  Book, Puzzles and Games

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 class 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

10 minutes of recap of the Spar discussions and the points raised by the students.

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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

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Our sessions will run as follows:

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.