Education Standards
Ground Rules for Philosophical Chairs by Julie Thoms
POWER Library
Pro/Con Graphic Organizer
Pro / Con Website
Pros and Cons Meaning Video
Research Project Rubric
Rubric for Student Reflection
Pros and Cons
Overview
Students will formulate pro or con arguments on an important topic by using the Power Library resources. Students will present a written summary of their arguments and identify which side of the argument they are learning toward. The Philosophical Chairs strategy will then be used to debate the issue. Once the debate has concluded, students will reflect on how their viewpoint was strengthened, weakened, or changed altogether.
Lesson Objectives
Students will be able to:
- Define pros and cons
- Research the advantages and disadvantages of a topic / issue.
- Debate using arguments their stance on an issue / topic.
Warm Up / Introduction
Instructor Notes:
If the group is having difficulty coming up with topics, a suggested list of conversation starters are below:
- Alternative Engery vs. Fossil Fuels
- Animal Testing
- Banned Books
- Body Cameras for Police
- Cell Phone Radiation
- Climate Change
- Coronavirus
- Datlight Saving Time
- Drinking Age
- Economy / Jobs
- Elections
- Free College
- Free Speech
- Gun Control
- Healthcare
- Homework
- Illegal Immigration
- Is Milk Healty?
- Media Bias
- Medical Marijuana
- Minimum Wage
- Obesity
- School Uniforms
- School Vouchers
- Standardized Tests
- Student Loan Debt
- Tablets vs. Textbooks
- Taxes
- Vaccines for Kids
- Vaping E-Cigarettes
- Vegetarianism
Pros and cons are persuasive arguments where you research both sides of a debatable issue or topic. There must be a balanced structure between both sides so you can formulate your own opinion and analysis on the issue/topic. In order to be fair, you will need to describe advantages and disadvantes with clear, specific research and then be able to summarize where you stand on the issue / topic.
Pros / Con issues are normally controversial. Think about issues you face or hear about daily.
Activity Directions:
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Research / Explore Activity
Instructor Notes:
Resources in the POWER Library that will work for this includes:
- POWER Library - EBSCO eBooks
- POWER Library - Gale General OneFile
- POWER Library - GreenFILE
- POWER Library - Gale Health & Wellness
- POWER Library - Gale News
- POWER Library - Gale OneFile: High School
- POWER Library - Gale In Context: Elementary
- POWER Library - Gale In Context: Middle School
- POWER Library - Science Reference Center
- POWER Library - Science Reference eBook Collection
Assessment: The instructor will access students as they are researching their topic and be available to answer any questions they may have.
Activity Directions:
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Reinforcement / Creation Activity
Instructor Notes:
The Philosophical Chairs strategy is a simple debate in which students select sides and physically move to the space in the classroom that has been designated as pro or con. The students will then debate from their physical positions while being given the flexiblity to change sides.
Remember to remind students that they should be polite when debating.
To encourage a wide range of speakers, speaking limits may be initiated.
BEFORE the activity, instructors should remind students of the rules.
- Actively listen to the person who is speaking.
- Wait for the facilitator to recognize you before you speak.
- Only one person should speak at a time.
- Seek to understand the opposing speaker's point of view, even if it is not your own.
- Briefly summarize the previous speaker's argument before you make your response.
- Contribute your own thoughts whenever possible.
- Respond to statements and ideas only!
- You do have the opportunity to change your mind as the arguments are being presented.
- Refrain from side conversations during the debate.
- Support the discussion by maintaining order and contributing constructive comments.
AFTER THE ACTIVITY, summarize the arguments using a T-chart. This should demonstrate to students how much was honestly said that may have been beyond their own beliefs and opinion.
Activity Directions:
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Reflection
Instructor Reflection:
Reflect on the lesson plan and document what worked for you, what did not work for you, and what you would change for the next time you utilize this lesson.
Directions:Please reflect on the lesson by answering the following questions:
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