Smash! Boom! Best! Debating

Knowledge Constructor

Overview

Smash Boom Best is a debate show for kids. Every episode takes two cool things, smashes them together and lets you decide which is best. Debaters use facts and passion to make their case... teaching listeners how to defend their own opinions along the way.

Students will learn how to form an opinion using details and facts from the podcast debate.

Learning Objectives

Students will:

Be able to use their listening skills as they log on to Smash Boom Best Debates.
Be able to complete a graphic organizer sorting the information between the two topics being debated as they listen to the podcast.
Be able to take their own side and provide reasons why they chose the side that they did using facts and details through a presentation or a written persuasive writing piece.

Vocabulary

Vocabulary Words:

Debate: A debate is a formal discussion on a particular topic in a public meeting or legislative assembly, in which opposing arguments are put forward.
Podcast: A podcast is a digital audio file made available on the Internet for downloading to a computer or mobile device, typically available as a series, new installments of which can be received by subscribers automatically.
Persuasive Writing: Persuasive writing is a piece of writing in which the writer uses words to convince the reader that the writer's opinion is correct with regard to an issue.

Pre-planning

To prepare for this lesson:

The teacher selects and listens to Smash Boom Best debate podcast prior to assigning.
The teacher has a link for students to log on to debate podcast in a Learning Management System.
Have headphones available for student use.
Introduce podcasting and debating to students with videos and discussion.
Introduce persuasive writing to students prior to podcasting debates.
Look through the following resources for assistance with this activity
- What is a Podcast? (Video Tutorial)
- What is a Debate? (Video Tutorial)
- Persuasive Writing
- Persuasion Map
- Free Graphic Organizers
- How to Write a Persuasive Essay

Note: The teacher should preview debates prior to assigning to students. Debates are approximately 20-30 minutes long. This activity can be used weekly for students to do as they complete their classwork, or assigned for specific content connections. Depending on the topic, they may be used for lower grades. ELA Common Core Standards

Accommodations

See Accommodations Page and Charts on the 21things4students.net site in the Teacher Resources.

Steps

Directions for this activity:

Students listen/watch What is a Podcast? video.
Students listen/watch What is Debate? video.
Students listen to assigned debate podcast.
Students complete the graphic organizer to sort out information from the debate.
Students complete a written taking their side on the debate using details and facts form the podcast debate.
Students can use the following:
- Persuasion Map
- How to write a persuasive essay

Assessment Options

Different options for assessing the students:

Observations
Check for understanding
Exit tickets with one-two facts on the debate topic.
Have students share thoughts about debate and which side they chose in group discussion.
Students create a slideshow with the pros and cons of the topic.

MITECS Competencies & ISTE Standards

MITECS: Michigan adopted the "ISTE Standards for Students" called MITECS (Michigan Integrated Technology Competencies for Students) in 2018.

Knowledge Constructor
3a. Students plan and employ effective research strategies to locate information and other resources for their intellectual or creative pursuits.
3b. Students evaluate the accuracy, perspective, credibility and relevance of information, media, data or other resources.
3c. Students curate information from digital resources using a variety of tools and methods to create collections of artifacts that demonstrate meaningful connections or conclusions.
3d. Students build knowledge by actively exploring real-world issues and problems, developing ideas and theories and pursuing answers and solutions.