Debate: Grades 6-8

Argumentation, structured debate, critical reasoning, and the part most programs skip: how to disagree with someone and still respect them. Students learn to research a position, defend it under pressure, and listen for the strongest version of the other side instead of the easiest one to knock down. They practice speaking clearly in front of a room, taking a hard question without getting rattled, and arguing an idea hard while treating the person across from them well. The class that builds citizens who can think on their feet and disagree without tearing each other down.