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Eighth Graders Take to the Courtroom to Debate

One of the eighth grade writing program’s main goals includes writing logical, persuasive arguments. To practice crafting cogent arguments, 8th graders engaged in a courtroom debate surrounding “The Case of the Speluncean Explorers,” a fictitious case published in Harvard Law Review in 1949. “I have found that students perform better when the situations they are writing about lie far from the reality of their daily lives,” explains teacher Jennifer Baumer. Pairs of students were given the roles of each of the justices involved in this court case and were tasked with researching and defending their justice’s viewpoints. “In addition, by participating in a formal debate, the students are able to refine their ideas, as well as learn others, while also practicing their public speaking skills,” adds Ms. Baumer. MORE PHOTOS
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