Welcome to our classroom debate tournament page! Here, you can follow the exciting journey of our 7th-grade debate teams as they compete in this engaging classroom debate tournament. Organized in a double-elimination format, each team gets a second chance even after one loss. Check back regularly to see the updated tournament bracket and track your favorite teams as they advance through each round.
Academic debate helps students develop critical thinking, communication, and research skills while boosting confidence and respect for diverse perspectives. It also fosters collaboration, adaptability, and problem-solving abilities, preparing them for academic and real-world challenges.
Academic debate teaches students to analyze information, form logical arguments, and consider multiple perspectives, helping them develop strong critical thinking abilities.
Participating in debates encourages students to speak clearly and confidently, improving their public speaking skills and boosting self-esteem in front of an audience.
Debating fosters a respectful environment where students learn to listen to opposing viewpoints, promoting tolerance and understanding of diverse perspectives.
Debate requires students to research and support their arguments with credible evidence, sharpening their research skills and reinforcing the importance of fact-based reasoning.
Working in debate teams helps students collaborate effectively, improve their communication, and develop teamwork skills essential for academic and real-world success.
Debates challenge students to think on their feet and adapt their arguments in real-time, honing their problem-solving abilities and flexibility in various situations.
Use the classroom debate to prepare a clear claim and support it through research and respectful discussion. Read the current directions on this page before you begin, because the activity or available choices may change.
Read the debate topic, tournament information, and teacher directions. Identify the position you will explain and the question the debate is meant to address.
Gather relevant evidence and keep track of its source. Build a reasoned argument that explains how the evidence supports your claim, then anticipate a reasonable counterargument.
Practice speaking clearly and listening closely. Respond to an idea rather than attacking the person, and distinguish a sourced fact from an opinion.
After the debate, reflect on which evidence was strongest and which explanation needs improvement. Use classroom feedback to set one specific goal for your next discussion.
Find more support through the Student Hub or open the Student Toolkit.