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68 views3 pages

MPDF

Uploaded by

api-458708621
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Mini Debates

Each student will be assigned, or may choose, an historical figure to research, selecting a speech given by
the figure, and then write a rebuttal challenging some of its content backed by facts.

Grade Level: 10 - 12th


Subject: Social Studies
Length of Time: About 2 Class Periods

Objectives & Outcomes


The students will be able to assess an historical figure’s point of view on a topic and challenge the
reasoning and evidence. The students will then be able to effectively communicate the new evidence to
their peers.

Materials Needed
Name of an historical figure for each student, Internet access or extensive resources for research
Prepare ahead of time: Teacher will have a list of historical figures (past or present), enough for
each student in the class. The figures should be those who have well-known speeches or writings
available for students to listen to (on the Internet) or read. For long speeches, the students may
choose portions of it to refute. Also, two video/audio recordings of speeches rebutting each other.
Teacher may also prepare a one page “research results” handout for students where students can
write down info about their assigned figure.

Procedure
Opening to Lesson
After students are seated, present the audio or video recording of the famous historical figure’s
speech you previously prepared. The more controversial the better.
Ask students their thoughts about the speech.

Body of Lesson
Modeling
Next, ask students to give, or their different opinions, with evidence to support their comments.
Now present the audio or video recording of an historical figure’s rebuttal of the first speech.

Guided Practice
Assign each student an historical figure to research, and distribute the “Research Results” handout.
Pair the students.
Explain to each student that they are to research the figure and locate a past speech given by the
figure. (The speech must be a minimum of one minute.)
They will also include other information about the figure using the “Research Results” handout.

© Teacher.org - Lesson Plans 1


In addition, each student is to create 3-5 multiple choice question related to their historical figure.
The two students working together will then share the speeches. While reading their partner’s
historical figure’s speech, the student will list things to rebut.
From the list the student will write their own speech to rebut the original.
Once all the students are completed it will be time for the presentations. (Allot at least one class
period for presentations.)
The pair of students working together will stand in front of the class. Student one will read the
original speech, student 2 will give the written rebuttal. (Remind students to be professional.)
The two students will then switch roles.
Following each pair of student’s presentation, class discussion may follow regarding the issue(s) in
the speeches.

Independent Practice
Every student will receive a multiple choice quiz/test using the classroom questions developed
during the research of the figures.

Closing
Discussion will take place with all students and the teacher allow students to give their opinions on the
historical figures presented to them and other comments about the issues.

Assessment & Evaluation


The teacher will have students create multiple choice, or other types of questions related to the
information they researched on each historical figure. These multiple choice questions will be collated
and used as a basis for an assessment and evaluation.

Modification & Differentiation


Students may work alone and present both sides of the issue. Use all figures from the past, no longer
living. Use all current figures from the present, living. Assign female figures to girls in the class, males
to boys in the class, or vice-versa. If relative to the timeframe, use current political figures running for
office.

Related Lesson Plans


Changing History

Students will research a historical event, “change history” by asking a “What if…” question. The
students will rewrite new information based on their research using the same era and people involved to
realistically alter the outcome of the event(s).

Country to Country

Students will develop a timeline for events in their country and another country over the last 200 years
and then compare/contrast the timelines to recognize possible relationships between the events in each
country.

© Teacher.org - Lesson Plans 2


Music and History

Students will cooperatively research music from the past 5 or 10 decades and compare and contrast the
lyrics with historical events/culture of the decade, answering the question: How does/did history affect
music and lyrics?

© Teacher.org - Lesson Plans 3

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