The Altos Academy Speech and Debate Camp will focus on teaching students core skills such as: refutation, logic, argument construction, active listening, and much more! We’ll be utilizing the Parliamentary Debate format — a 2 vs 2 spontaneous debate format where students receive a topic and then have 20 minutes to construct their case alongside their partner. Parliamentary Debate is a fantastic format for teaching students how to think on their feet as well as develop basic research skills. Through a series of activities, mini-lectures, games, and practice speeches and debates, students will work on building their confidence and presence as speakers.
Grades 4-5 will operate from developmentally appropriate topics that introduce them to the world of speech and debate through fun, engaging, and relatable topics. We’ll debate the value of school uniforms, the ethics of zoos, as well as the effectiveness of year-round education. Our week-long session will culminate in a short scrimmage tournament where students have an opportunity to showcase their newfound knowledge and skills.
