Debate Topics for Elementary Students

All across the globe, the definition of elementary school varies significantly. It depends on the educational system prevalent in that country. Nevertheless, in the USA, elementary schooling is generally from the kindergarten level to a grade between 5th and 8th. Now, this is not a fixed rule and it may have some variations depending on states. In general, elementary school kids are between kindergarten and 8th or 7th grade. Searching debate topics that are apt for their age and adds value and knowledge to elementary school kids, often turns out to be a boring task for students. Repetitions in topics makes this interesting habit a boring activity.

Good Debate Topics
Choosing topics for debate is a challenge, both for teachers and students. Students at elementary level of education don't have the maturity, experience and knowledge to handle controversial topics and hence such topics are not an ideal choice for them. Very intriguing topics that require deep knowledge, facts and figures can also be very abstruse for elementary kids. Hence, parents and teachers should choose titles that are easier to research and kids in classes can discuss them with ease. Topics for elementary school students needn't be political and very tough. For elementary students, the topics can even be funny, easy and comfortable for all to understand and present their own views. The idea for choosing an apt speech topic should be to trigger analytical thinking skills in kids and improving classroom participation. Here are some good topics for elementary school students for debating.

• Books are better than television.
• Importance of teachers in education.
• Should computers replace teachers?
• Should school uniform be got rid of?
• Reading - an emerging trend or dying interest?
• Should mobile phones be allowed in schools?
• Junk food must be banned in schools.
• Are Sports and games equally important as studies?
• School attendance must be voluntary.
• Homework should be banned.
• Do violent video games trigger violent behavior in kids?
• Are online chat rooms for kids necessary?
• What household chores must kids be allowed to do?
• Animals should not be kept in cages.
• Should the school timings be increased?
• Is there a life on Mars?
• Do we learn from history?
• Choosing a career must be based on percentage gained or interest area?
• Is year round schooling necessary?
• Participation in extra co-curricular activities is important in schools?
• Are children over influenced by fashion these days?
• Should children be involved in television advertising?
• Should animals be used for scientific experiments?
• Should skating be allowed on road side walks?
• Should cartoon cards and accessories be allowed in schools.

Debating Tips: Dos and Don'ts

Dos
Students participating in debates must ensure that they don't forget to:

• Greet 'good evening/morning' to respective authority.
• Stand/Sit well in front of the timekeeper, judges and audience. In case, you're debating in a group that is sitting in a circle, make yourself comfortable. An alert body language displaying keen interest in the debate is necessary in group discussions.
• Wait for formal announcements before the debate begins.
• Applaud every speaker positively.
• Use cue cards that you had prepared for debates properly.
• Be silent while others are speaking and during judging time when adjudicators are awarding points.
• Be in proper and neat uniform as per the occasion.
• Arrive early before the scheduled time for debate. Coming 15 minutes before the scheduled time is good to make you comfortable at the venue.
• Accept defeat positively and learn from mistakes. Ultimately, have fun.

Don'ts
Students must avoid certain pitfalls while debating, like:

• Don't forget to greet important personnel like chairman etc. If adjudicators are a part of audience (they generally are), then you needn't greet them.
• Don't include some team line or your school team punch before beginning the debate.
• Don't use long sheets of paper to make a note of your arguments for debates.
• Proper dress, hairstyle and presentation is crucial. This is to ensure that your mannerisms and appearance is not such that it distracts audience. Remember, they have come there to listen to you and hence don't diverge their attention by being differently dressed or in some crazy style.
• In group discussions, don't interrupt other speakers personally or erratically. Be in the constraints of debate rules.
• Using improper/derogatory comments must be avoided.
• Ensure facts and figures are correct.

Although there can't be a large pool of debate topics unlike persuasive or informative speech topics for college students, we can pick up several of them from a wide range of subjects included in elementary school books. Debating is certainly a must do activity in school as that inculcates several personality skills in kids.