Week 1
Lesson 1
Introduction and discussion of chapters 1 and 2
Discussion of chapters 1 and 2 and Spar Debate sparked by: Tell him—quickly! Before he loses too much rice!
No~ Don’t say anything—you will be able to pick up the fallen rice after he rounds the bend…
Spar Statement: Behaving honorably is watching out for someone else no matter what situation one finds oneself in.
Position 1: Honor (ie doing the right thing at the right time for the right reasons) is one of the most important attributes of all.
Position 2: Taking care of ourselves is essential
 Week 2
Lesson 2
Discussion chapters 3 and 4 
Discussion of chapters 3 and 4 and Spar Debate sparked by: "He did not know why Min did not explain things more fully."
Spar Statement: There is a purpose and benefit in teachers not giving a student all the answers to allow students to discover things for themselves. 
Position 1: Agree with this statement and explain.
Position 2: Disagree with this statement. Teachers should always explain every single thing to students for the best understanding.
 Week 3
Lesson 3
Discussion chapters 5 and 6 
Discussion of chapters 5 and 6 and Spar Debate sparked by: Gleaning the rice fields
Spar Question: Is it kinder to give as much food to the poor as they need or to allow the poor to gather whatever they need when the work is done for the day?
Position 1: It makes more sense to simply give the poor what they need when they ask.
Position 2:  It makes more sense to allow the poor to gather whatever they need when work is done. 
 Week 4
Lesson 4
Discussion chapters 7 and 8 
Discussion of chapters 7 and 8  and Spar Debate sparked by: Tree ear wishes he could find a way to show his gratitude to Min’s wife for her many kindnesses.
Spar Statement: We show gratitude best when we give gifts to others.
Position 1: Agree with the above statement.
Position 2: Disagree with the above statement. We show gratitude best in understanding those around us to not give gifts so much as give of ourselves. 
 Week 5
Lesson 5
Discussion chapters 9 and 10 
Discussion of chapters 9 and 10 and Spar Debate sparked by:  "I do not know if it is still a law… But a well-kept tradition can be stronger than law. "
Spar Statement: Tradition is more powerful than laws.
Position 1: Agree with this statement. Explain.
Position 2: Disagree with this statement. Laws are more powerful than tradition.  Explain.
 Week 6
Lesson 6
Discussion chapters 11 12 and 13
Discussion of chapters 11 12 and 13  and Spar Debate sparked by: "It is so difficult to create something of beauty. So easy to destroy it. "
Spar Question: How can one help people who destroy learn to appreciate beauty?
Position 1: We can help people to learn the history of things that are beautiful, show respect for their responses.
Position 2: We can help people who destroy learn to create themselves.