Guidelines for Students

Follow the steps below in order to write the project.

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Step 1: Learn the Basics

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1. Learn how the debate is run.

2. Learn about a speaking style.

3. Learn the structure of an argument and the structure of a speech.

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Step 2: Preparing Your Arguments

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4. Get into groups of  6 to 8 students.

5. Decide on the topic you want to discuss in your debate. Choose the topic from the list below:

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• Online or in the class: What way of studying the educational system should be based on?

- This house will allow on-line education only.

- This house will ban using technology for educational purposes.

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• To ban or not to ban: the use of cellphones in school environment

- This house will ban the use of cell phones at school.

- This house will allow students to study from home via cell phones.

- This house will set the age of ten as the minimum age when the use of cellphone is allowed

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• To require or not: Should schools require wearing school uniforms

- This house will not require students to wear school uniforms

- This house will make school uniforms compulsory for both students and teachers

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• To give or not to give: should students get homework or is it a waste of time?

- This house will forbid teachers to give homework.

- This house will allow teachers to give as much homework as they wish.

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• To shorten or not to shorten: how long should the school week be? Should students study on Fridays?

- This house will restrict school week to 5 days.

- This house will make Fridays a second day off for schools.

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• To allow or forbid: should students be allowed to work during school year?

- This house will ban students from working during school year.

- This house will ban students from working in general.

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• School trips: Are they necessary? Should school trips be compulsory to all the students? Should pupils be forced to take parts in them? Should students have a say in where to go?

- This house will make school trips optional for students.

- This house will allow students decide where to go on school trips.

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• Volunteer work:  Should volunteer work stay a part of the education or is it a matter of personal choice?

- This house will allow students to choose if they want to volunteer.

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• Should the school day start later?

- This house will shorten the school day.

- This house will forbid beginning the school earlier than 9 in the morning.

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• Is home-schooling better than a traditional education?

- This house will not allow parents o home-school their children.

6. Think of the arguments FOR and AGAINST the motion.

7. Look up statistics and research in the Internet to support your arguments.

8. Get into 2 subgroups.

9. Decide which subgroup is  writing arguments FOR the motion and which one is writing the arguments AGAINST.

10. Write 3 arguments FOR the motion and 3 arguments AGAINST it following the template for the argument structure.

11. Share your arguments with your group. Discuss if they are convincing enough. Edit them.

12. Send your arguments to your teacher for approval.

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Step 3: Preparing Your Speeches

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13. In subgroups write a speech that includes both your arguments and rebuttals (הַכחָשָׁה) of the arguments of your opponents.

14. Send your speeches to the teacher for approval.

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Step 4: Making a reality show

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15. Within a group decide on the roles in the debate:

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• A host of the program

• 1-2 parents

• 1-2 students

• 1-2 teachers

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16. Practice presenting your arguments.

17. Record your debate show. 

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N.B. In addition to just recording the video, you may choose to use any app you'd like, such as Toontastic, PowToon, or StoryJumper.

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18. Send your video to your teacher.

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Enjoy your work!