Contenders' Civil Rights Debate
Enhance public speaking skills
This lesson engages students in a debate session where they take on different perspectives from the Civil Rights Movement. It aims to promote public speaking and critical analysis skills by encouraging students to articulate and defend their viewpoints. This lesson is important as it helps students develop empathy and understanding of historical events, while also building confidence in their ability to express themselves.
Enhance public speaking skills
Discussion Guide, Printable Role Cards, and Pens and Paper
Step 1
Introduction
10 mins
- Briefly introduce the Civil Rights Movement and its significance.
- Explain the purpose of the debate and the skills it will develop (public speaking, critical thinking).
- Divide students into groups and assign roles using the Printable Role Cards.
- Allow each group time to research and prepare their arguments based on their assigned roles.
- Encourage students to consider their character's perspective and historical context.
- Provide pens and paper for note-taking.
Step 3
Debate Session
25 mins
- Facilitate the debate, ensuring each group presents their arguments and responds to others.
- Encourage respectful listening and constructive feedback.
- Guide the discussion using the Discussion Guide to ensure all perspectives are covered.
- Reflect on the debate by discussing what students learned about the Civil Rights Movement.
- Ask students to share how their perspectives might have changed.
- Highlight the importance of understanding multiple viewpoints in history.
