The Little Thinkers' Debate Club is a lively and interactive program designed to introduce young learners (ages 7-11) to the exciting world of debating! Students will master the fundamentals of critical thinking, public speaking, and respectful argumentation. They will learn how to construct strong arguments, understand different perspectives, and engage in civil and productive discourse.

The club meets on a weekly basis, and each session focuses on a different aspect of debating. Throughout the course, we will explore a variety of engaging and age-appropriate topics, including:


💬 The Basics of Debating: What is a debate and why is it important?

 🗣️ Constructing Arguments: How to build a solid case.

✅ Using Evidence: The importance of supporting your arguments with facts and examples.

👂🏼 Listening and Responding: How to engage with other people's points of view.

🤩 Fun and Relevant Topics: Debating subjects like "Should kids have more recess/play time?" or "Should homework assignments be banned?"

CLUB FORMAT:
Whilst each session will focus on a different area of debating, the general format of the session remains the same and will include: 

👩🏻‍🏫 Mini-Lectures: Brief, informative, and designed to introduce new concepts in an engaging way.

👩🏻‍🏫 Interactive Activities and Games: Practice new skills in a fun and hands-on manner.

👩🏻‍🏫 Group Discussions: Share ideas and perspectives with peers.
    
👩🏻‍🏫 Video Clips: Illustrate concepts and provide real-world examples.

👩🏻‍🏫 Practice Debates: Students will apply what they've learned in guided debates.
 
My teaching style can be described as fun, engaging, and highly interactive. I use hands-on activities and multimedia to create a dynamic learning experience for my learners. With high-quality resources - from debate prompts, modelled examples and clear presentations,  to debate preparation sheets and audio reflections -  I ensure that each lesson is accessible, yet challenging. With a key focus on discussions, my classes have a strong culture of inclusivity and learners are encouraged to actively participate and share their thoughts. I provide constructive feedback to help students grow and improve, fostering an environment of active learning where learners thrive through doing, questioning and collaborating. 

🧑‍💻 Interaction is at the heart of Little Thinkers' Debate Club. Learners will have plenty of opportunities to engage with both myself (the teacher!) and their peers through:

1.  Interactive sessions with plenty of Q&A.
2. Games and activities conducted in pairs or small groups to encourage teamwork.
3. Slides and video clips followed by group discussions to deepen understanding and
4. Practice debates! Learners will be paired or grouped for debates, encouraging direct interaction, collaborative learning and building on their confidence.