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Is College for Everyone?

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Lesson Plan

Pathways Debate Guide

Students will evaluate college versus alternative post-secondary pathways by constructing and defending arguments in a structured debate, building critical thinking and persuasive communication skills.

This lesson empowers 11th graders to make informed career and life decisions by analyzing real-world options, honing research, argumentation, and reflection skills essential for post-secondary readiness.

Audience

11th Grade Class

Time

60 minutes

Approach

Interactive, team-based debate with guided analysis and reflection.

Materials

Pros & Cons Matrix, True/False Poll, Structured Debate Instructions, and Exit Reflection Worksheet

Prep

Teacher Preparation

15 minutes

  • Review relevant standards (CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.11-12.1; W.11-12.1) and lesson objectives.
  • Familiarize yourself with:
  • Arrange desks into two debate sides; designate a space for the moderator.
  • Set up digital polling tool or prepare printed poll cards.
  • Pre-assign debate roles (Affirmative, Negative, Moderator, Timekeeper) ensuring balanced teams.

Step 1

Bell Ringer (Warm-up)

5 minutes

  • Project or distribute the True/False Poll: “College is the best pathway for everyone.”
  • Students respond individually via clicker, digital poll, or show of cards.
  • Select 2–3 students to briefly justify their choice.
  • Differentiation: Provide sentence frames (e.g., “I agree/disagree because…”).

Step 2

Overview & Role Assignment

5 minutes

  • Introduce the lesson objective and debate format.
  • Display the Pros & Cons Matrix slide.
  • Explain team roles: Affirmative, Negative, Moderator, Timekeeper.
  • Assign students to two balanced teams.

Step 3

Pros & Cons Analysis

15 minutes

  • In teams, complete at least three pros and three cons for both college and alternative pathways using the matrix.
  • Encourage evidence-based points (statistics, examples).
  • Teacher circulates, asking guiding questions:
    • “What data supports your argument?”
    • “Which real-life examples strengthen your point?”
  • Differentiation: Offer example starters on the slide for ELL or struggling students.

Step 4

Structured Debate

25 minutes

  • Follow the steps in Structured Debate Instructions:
    • Opening statements (2 min per team)
    • Rebuttals (2 min per team)
    • Cross-examination (2 min per team)
    • Closing statements (1 min per team)
  • The moderator enforces timing; the timekeeper signals transitions.
  • Observers take notes on key arguments for peer feedback.
  • Differentiation: Provide argument outline templates to scaffold preparation.

Step 5

Exit Reflection (Cool-down)

10 minutes

  • Distribute the Exit Reflection Worksheet.
  • Students write their personal stance, three supporting reasons, and one post-secondary action step.
  • Collect worksheets to assess understanding and future guidance.
  • Extension: Encourage students to research a local certification or apprenticeship program for homework.
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Slide Deck

Pros & Cons Matrix

Use this matrix to organize your team’s arguments about post-secondary options.

• List at least three pros and three cons for each pathway.
• Support each point with evidence (statistics, examples, testimonials).
• Be prepared to share your findings during the debate.

Introduce students to the matrix activity. Emphasize that they will work in teams to list pros and cons for both college and alternative pathways.

How to Complete the Matrix

  1. In your team, assign a scribe to record ideas.
  2. Discuss and agree on points for each quadrant:
    • Pros of College
    • Cons of College
    • Pros of Alternative Pathways
    • Cons of Alternative Pathways
  3. Cite at least one source or real-life example per point.
  4. Use the example sentence starters on the next slide if you get stuck.

Guide students through the steps before they begin. Remind them of roles and time limits.

Pros & Cons Table

CollegeAlternative Pathways
Pros••
••
••
Cons••
••
••

Encourage neat, legible writing or clear digital input. Circulate to prompt deeper evidence.

Example Sentence Starters

Pros of College:
• “A major benefit of college is ______ because ______.”
• “According to [source], ______ supports this point.”

Cons of College:
• “A drawback of college is ______, such as ______.”
• “Research shows ______, indicating ______.”

Pros of Alternative Pathways:
• “An advantage of apprenticeships is ______, which ______.”
• “For example, ______ demonstrates ______.”

Cons of Alternative Pathways:
• “One concern is ______, because ______.”
• “Statistics reveal ______, suggesting ______.”

Highlight that these frames help ELL learners and students who need scaffolding.

Visual Tips

• Add icons to represent each pathway:
🎓 for College
⚙️ for Technical/Apprenticeship

• Use color-coding:
– Green for Pros
– Red for Cons

• Keep text concise and legible.
• Use bold or underline to highlight key evidence.

Suggest using simple icons next to each quadrant header to increase visual clarity.

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Warm Up

True/False Poll Warm-Up (5 minutes)

Instructions:

  • Project or display each statement one at a time.
  • Students respond “True” or “False” by holding up cards, using clickers, or via a digital polling tool.
  • After each poll, select 2–3 students to briefly explain their reasoning (use sentence frames if needed).

Statements:

  1. “College is the best pathway for everyone.”






  2. “Students without a college degree cannot be successful.”






Sentence Frames (optional support):

  • “I agree/disagree because ______.”
  • “One reason I chose ______ is ______.”
  • “For example, ______ shows that ______.”
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Discussion

Structured Debate Instructions

Roles & Responsibilities

  • Affirmative Team: Argues that college is the best pathway.
  • Negative Team: Argues that alternative pathways are equally or more valuable.
  • Moderator: Keeps time, announces transitions, enforces rules.
  • Timekeeper: Tracks each segment and gives a 30-second warning.
  • Observers: Take notes on main arguments and rebuttals; prepare feedback.

Debate Format & Timing (25 minutes total)

  1. Opening Statements (2 min per team; 4 minutes total)

    • Affirmative presents its case first.
    • Negative responds with its opening arguments.

  2. Rebuttal Round (2 min per team; 4 minutes total)

    • Affirmative rebuts Negative’s opening points.
    • Negative rebuts Affirmative’s opening points.

  3. Cross-Examination (2 min per team; 4 minutes total)

    • Moderator calls on one team to question the other.
    • Teams alternate questioning and answering.

  4. Second Rebuttal (1.5 min per team; 3 minutes total)

    • Each team defends against cross-examination points.

  5. Closing Statements (1 min per team; 2 minutes total)

    • Affirmative summarizes key evidence and final appeal.
    • Negative summarizes key evidence and final appeal.

  6. Peer Feedback & Debrief (8 minutes)

    • Observers share strengths and areas for improvement.
    • Class discusses which arguments were most persuasive and why.

Tips for Effective Argumentation

  • Use Evidence: Cite statistics, studies, or real-life examples.
  • Address Counterarguments: Anticipate the other side’s points and refute them.
  • Stay Respectful: Listen actively and avoid interrupting.
  • Speak Clearly: Project your voice and pace yourself.
  • Stay on Topic: Keep arguments focused on pathway benefits/drawbacks.

Refer to the Pros & Cons Matrix for evidence ideas and the Exit Reflection Worksheet to guide your post-debate reflection.

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Cool Down

Exit Reflection Worksheet

Name: _______________________ Date: ________________

  1. My personal stance on the best post-secondary pathway is:




  2. Three reasons supporting my stance:
    • 1. ________________________________________________


    • 2. ________________________________________________


    • 3. ________________________________________________

  3. One action step I will take toward my post-secondary plan is:







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