Practical Tips for Introducing Debate in Elementary School

Debate has been a powerful teaching tool dating back to ancient Greece, where it was used to cultivate reason, rhetoric, and persuasion among young minds. It remains a dynamic strategy for actively engaging students with their learning.

Debate is more than just arguing. A structured debate allows students to dive into the material, think critically, and engage personally with their learning. It’s an approach that breathes life into subjects across the curriculum and also builds essential life skills.

Debate can be a game-changer in the classroom, so long as it’s implemented effectively and teachers are prepared to navigate related challenges that may arise. If you’re an elementary school teacher, I’d recommend introducing structured debates for students in grades three through five, who have developed the ability to think critically and better articulate their ideas. This grade band is ready to engage meaningfully in thoughtful discussions.

Why Students Should Debate in Elementary School

Debate doesn’t just help students learn content; it equips them with a tool kit of skills they’ll carry for life. By opening the door to structured dialogue and reasoned argument, you’re helping to shape young minds. Debates turn classrooms into spaces of exploration and dialogue, where students can thrive.

Debating creates well-rounded learners in a number of ways.

• Critical thinking and problem-solving: Debate requires students to examine issues from multiple angles, analyze information, and construct reasoned arguments. These skills are essential for understanding complex topics and solving real-world problems.
• Communication skills: Speaking in front of others and defending a position help students become more articulate and confident when expressing their ideas.
• Active listening and empathy: Young students must listen to and understand opposing viewpoints in order to respond effectively. This nurtures empathy and the ability to see issues from other perspectives—an invaluable skill for building healthy interpersonal relationships.
• Collaboration and teamwork: Debate often involves group work, which teaches students how to collaborate, negotiate, and share responsibilities. Learning to work together toward a goal helps students develop respect for others’ contributions.

Implementing Debate in the Elementary School Classroom

If you’re interested in bringing debate to your classroom, here are some practical steps to get started, along with examples of what these might look like in action:

1. Start small: Begin with a simple topic and a limited structure. This helps students ease into debating without feeling overwhelmed, which models respectful disagreement and turn-taking. For grades three through five, you might start with an opinion question format such as, “Should we wear uniforms to school?”

Here are some other examples:

• “Should the use of plastic water bottles be encouraged or discouraged?”
• “Which is better: summer or winter?”
• “Which makes a better pet: cats or dogs?”
• “Which is better: indoor or outdoor recess?”

2. Teach debate structure: Debate basics such as gathering information and evidence, as well as forming opening statements, rebuttals, and closing arguments, will give students a reliable framework. For example, in a science class, you could organize a debate on paper bags versus plastic bags, or which of a series of options is the best way to dispose of garbage. Teach students how to start with a strong position and to support their arguments with evidence, so that they feel organized and confident.

3. Encourage research and preparation: Have students research their assigned topic or position. For a classroom debate on whether kids should have recess every day, students can look into different perspectives and then share them during the discussion, learning to back up their arguments with evidence from their research, rather than leaning on their opinions alone.

4. Facilitate reflection: After each debate, hold a debrief where students discuss what they learned, share what they felt went well, and then consider areas for improvement. For instance, students could journal about one strong point made by the opposing side that made them think differently, which builds respect for alternative views.

5. Integrate across disciplines: Debate doesn’t have to be limited to one subject area. After reading a novel in an English class, you might ask, “Was the character’s choice justified?” In a math class, you might ask, “Is it more practical to estimate or calculate exactly in real-world situations?” This integration keeps debate relevant to the curriculum and gives students opportunities to apply critical thinking to a range of topics.

Challenges and Considerations

As with any new classroom strategy, implementing debate involves a few hurdles.

Managing competition and ensuring respect: While a debate is competitive by nature, the focus should remain on learning and growth. Establish norms for respectful engagement, and remind students that disagreement can be constructive. To avoid overly competitive behavior, consider having students work in pairs or teams where they share the spotlight. You could even institute a debate around whether it’s better to work individually or in collaborative groups, as an opportunity to reinforce respectful language and model how to disagree constructively.

Inclusion and overcoming reluctance to speak: Not every student is comfortable speaking in front of others, and some may be hesitant to engage. You can use smaller group debates or partner discussions to encourage quiet students. For instance, grant students time to meet with those who share the same position before the debate. This way, students who are less comfortable speaking can discuss their research and better organize their positions in advance.

On a topic like whether school uniforms should be mandatory, you can also allow students to start a debate by sharing their views in pairs, before moving to a larger group. This will gradually build their confidence and ability to initiate conversations.