2025 has got off to a great start with our ASL Debating clubs.
We have focussed on body language skills for discussions and argumentation, as well as persuasive language.
Newsrounds have included a review of the devastating fires in LA, Storms in the US and UK, the resignation of Justin Trudeau in Canada, the talk of a sale of Greenland and the passing of former President Jimmy Carter.
We have also looked at what words the groups thought embodied leadership, a selection including:
Integrity, Kind, Generous, Polite, Supportive, Listening, Collaborative, Inspirational, Confident, Brave, Tough and Determined.
Warm-up questions have reflected on holidays as well as New Year’s Resolutions, with various suggestions from taking up new sports, languages and hobbies, to greater work focus or time-management.
For unseen work we looked at an image of a luxury Golf course in juxtaposition against a scene of poverty from the same island. This prompted a superb set of ideas and thoughts more generally on poverty around the world.
We debated as to the key players to decide on any sale of Greenland: with the majority in favour of Denmark deciding, with many unhappy as to the idea in the first place. Natural resources and Scientific research weighed heavily on the debate.
Greenland and the LA fires also inspired a debate on climate change and whether we should act now? Or if the focus should be Bezos/Musk style on Planet B and space?
The majority voted in favour of acting now.
Further set piece debates have involved the motions:
‘This House would spend more time at school reading’ &
‘This House would preserve old buildings’
‘This House would ban homework’
‘This House believes Starbucks is right to charge customers for using their premises for any length of time’
In each case we have been hugely impressed by the ideas raised, and the sophistication of arguments given.
Well done all on a superb start to 2025!
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