Civil Debate and Deliberation

Our constitutional democracy requires our citizens have the ability to speak, listen, civilly debate, deliberate, and come to a conclusion as a community by vote or consensus. NH's tradition of Town Meeting is the epitome of this democratic process. How can we teach the essential process of having a civil conversation about current and controversial topics?

Classes

• Debate Simulation

  Students will simulate the debate process and will complete the Debate Script sheet and/ or they will participate in an actual in-class debate or will ask at least two questions to their classmates who are debating.

• Respectful Disagreeing

  Students will reflect on, “E is for Election Day,” and Kid President video and will discuss and brainstorm ways to debate, while creating at least one original piece of debate advice to share with the class. Students will create a list of beliefs and values and will practice forming a debate on a particular value or belief, by filling out the Debate Script handout.

• Respectful Disagreeing - Virtual

  Students will learn strategies on how to respectfully disagree.  Using given templates, students will choose a given topic and create both pro and con arguments for that topic.