Controversial Issues: Class Debates for U.S. Government and History Classes

Looking for a way to engage your students in meaningful classroom debates? This product includes 55 total debate prompts (30 that address U.S. Government controversial issues and 25 that address historical U.S. debates). These are designed to be informal classroom debates that allow students to first, individually consider each prompt and choose a side; second, collaborate with their peers and form arguments to support their views; and third, to engage in an informal debate with their classmates.

The product includes:

- A student handout (PDF and Word) that will guide students throughout the process and help them to document and reflect on their learning.

- A group brainstorming sheet (PDF and Word) that will help the two sides organize their strongest arguments and plan their rebuttal.

- Two power point presentations (PDF format) that display each of the prompts in the form of controversial statements. There is one power point for the government topics and one for the history topics.

- Two Tables of Contents that will serve as a quick reference guide, so you can easily identify and project the debate topics.

- A detailed teacher's guide with step-by-step directions of how to implement these debates in your classrooms. The directions I provide will lead your classes through a roughly 45-minute classroom debate process, but I have also given suggestions to shorten or extend the debates, depending on your timeframe.

These debates will develop your students' critical thinking and reasoning skills, as well as their presentation and debate skills. They are also designed to teach your students how to genuinely listen and consider the opposing side's perspective (an art that is lost on many today). Check out the preview for additional details on the topics that are covered. Among the government debates are: 1st amendment issues, civil liberties vs. security, national healthcare, gun control, abortion rights, and more! Among the historical debates are: The ethics of dropping the atomic bomb, Japanese Internment, Ford's pardon of Nixon, Government actions during the Red Scare, etc. This product is designed for U.S. Government courses, U.S. History courses, Speech and Debate courses, or any teacher looking to discuss controversial issues in their classroom.

Check out these other great U.S. Government and U.S. History resources available in my store:

Bingo Bundle: Three Branches of Government

Bill of Rights Webquest and Discussion

AP® Government Switch-Up Game: Civil Rights and Civil Liberties

AP® Government Test: Civil Rights and Civil Liberties

195 U.S. History Warm-Ups- Full Year (Foundations to Present Day)

U.S. Government Warm-Ups (72 total!)

AP® U.S. Government Warm-Ups (92 total!)

Civil Liberties and Civil Rights Supreme Court Rankings Activity

Constitutional or Unconstitutional? Activity and Outlines

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