Full Description
Debate and critical oracy allow students to deepen their knowledge and understanding of academic subjects while simultaneously developing their communication and critical thinking skills, which can be hugely effective in increasing attainment. This book, written by an experienced teacher and founder of The Noisy Classroom, aims to help students learn to argue, disagree and debate in a constructive manner. Packed with resources and engaging exercises, it shows teachers how to develop an argument culture in the classroom that promotes open-mindedness and encourages students to explore new perspectives, defend views and challenge others.
The Noisy Classroom includes:
A reflection on critical oracy and why it is important.
A step-by-step guide for teachers to set up and encourage debate across the curriculum, highlighting how to get the most out of a noisy classroom.
Advice for teachers on how to overcome barriers to building and using critical oracy in the classroom, including troubleshooting when things go wrong.
Practical ideas for sharpening pair, group and whole-class discussions, ranging from small starter and plenary activities to full parliamentary-style debates.
The book brings together activities gathered and tested over 20 years of working in debate, oracy and education. It is intended for school teachers, including both NQTs and more experienced practitioners.
Contents
Foreword
Introduction
Part one: The case for critical oracy
1. What is critical oracy, and what is the state of oracy in our schools at the moment?
2. Why is critical oracy important?
3. Overcoming barriers to using critical oracy in the classroom.
4. The role of senior leaders and teachers in a school of noisy classrooms
5. Troubleshooting
Part two: What to do in your classroom: the activities
6. Parliamentary debate
7. Other forms of debate
Balloon debates
Boxing match debates
Table debates
Public meetings
Conscience alley
8. Shorter activities
Rebuttal tennis
I couldn't disagree more
Where do you stand?
Hat debates
9. In character
Hot seating
Mock trials
Question time
Chat show
News broadcast
10. Structures for critical group or whole-class work
On that point
Dragon's den
Fishbowl discussion
Expert groups
Argument stations
11. Formats for critical pair discussion
Teacher-Pupil Pairs
Rotating Circles
Quiz and Switch
Question and answer pair up.
12. Activities to build oracy skills
The um-er game
Defending the indefensible
Giving and following instructions
How are you feeling?
Expand-contract
Appendices
The Noisy Manifesto
Key vocabulary for debates
Sentence starters and connectives for critical oracy
Argument and speech structure
Examples of topic-based vocabulary for pre-teaching
Assessment
List of topics for debate and discussion
Debate speech scaffold sheets
Oracy in the National Curriculum
Bibliography and useful links
