CIVIL DISCOURSE
FROM THE ARCHIVES
Above: Grade 6 Roman Senate Debates (March 2019) Right: Grade 8 Presidents Debate (May 2018)
Middle School
DEBATES “Don’t raise your voice; improve your argument.” Desmond Tutu
F
or the past six years, Latin teacher Trey House has “‘What conclusions are my opponents making and how did incorporated lively debate projects into his sixth they get there?’ When we arrive at the debate, there is an grade classes’ year of study in history, language, understanding that, while I may be quite passionate about my and rhetoric. “One lesson culminates with a debate about the own ideas, my opponents are looking at the same information legacy of Julius Caesar,” Mr. House explains. “Students choose and taking a different perspective.” whether they are for or against Caesar based on their own understanding of the history, then team up on their chosen side Mr. House enjoys the interdisciplinary nature of the project, to craft their arguments.” particularly at the Grade 6 level. “Debates and presentational projects are a consistent theme of this year,” he says. “I know These “Republicans vs. Caesarean” debates, which employ the language my colleagues are using with students on their painstaking research, creative costumes, striking visual aids, own projects and I incorporate that into my teaching. Each and impassioned speeches, are judged by faculty and staff from project across all disciplines is an opportunity for reflection throughout the Red Gables Campus. and growth.”
“Part of the debate preparation process for students is to put themselves in the mindset of the other team,” Trey describes. 6 | ENSWORTH ENSIGHTS
History is another discipline where the Core Skills necessary for civil discourse are emphasized. Department chair, Ruby
