• In today's politically charged world where we are bombarded with information from newspapers, cable news channels and the Internet, the ability to examine and question information, think critically and look at a situation from both sides is more important than ever. Unfortunately, schools need to teach the facts that will let their students pass the standardized tests that govern funding, not critical thinking. This is where debate comes in, because it teaches and promotes the very critical thinking skills that are lacking in today's curriculums. There are high school debate activities that are suitable for students of every academic level.
  
  

Fairy Tale Debates

• Students take the side of opposing characters in a fairy tale, like the three little pigs and the wolf, Hansel and Gretel and the witch, or Goldilocks and the Three Bears. Students are sorted into two sides and are asked to speak on behalf of the character they are assigned, maybe telling the story from each character's perspective. They must make a case for why the character was justified for acting the way they did. This will teach students how to consider the different sides of the same story and how perspective affects each person's vision of events.
  
  

Candidate Debate Project

• During the fall term, select two teams of about five or six kids each. They must each form a complete campaign team--a candidate, a campaign manager, a PR specialist, policy specialists focusing on issues such as the environment, jobs and taxes, for example, depending on the hot issues of the moment. Have two races--a local race and a national race--so that all the students get to participate, and have the students who watch each debate cast their votes. Hold candidate debates with the teacher as the moderator, asking questions of each candidate, and have the entire class vote on the winners based on the platforms and arguments of the candidates. Have a question and answer session about why students voted the way they did, what arguments swayed them and why.
  
  

Critical Thinking Essay

• Take a topic, whether a current event or an issue that centers on values, and have each student write an essay supporting each side of the issue, complete with facts and citations to bolster their argument. For example, you could have students write an essay about why global warming is real and why it is a hoax, why affirmative action is constitutionally protected and why it is not, or why abortion should remain legal or should be made illegal. The point of the exercise is to help students to recognize the value of facts in creating an opinion and to understand the validity of opposing arguments.
  
  

Sponsor a Mini-Debate

• Pick several debate resolutions and select two- or three-man teams to debate each side of the resolutions. Follow standard debate rules and insist that students not only prepare to argue their side, but be aware of possible arguments their opponent might use and to be ready with responses. This will encourage students to be aware of both sides of the argument and to use fact-based arguments instead of merely opinion, as well as teach strategy.