6-9 Grade Courses (Introductory and Intermediate)
Who can enroll?
Any student who is entering 6th through 9th grade in the Fall 2022 academic year can enroll to be in the elementary and middle school debate labs.
Class Options:
6th and 7th Grade Introduction (Online or In-Person)
8th and 9th Grade Introduction (Online or In-Person)
7th through 9th Grade Intermediate (Online or In-Person) *Requires prior tournament, or GMDI experience
Dates:
June 27-July 2: 6-9 Grade Introduction to Debate (Online Only)
August 8-13: 6-9 Grade Introduction to Debate (Online or In Person)
August 8-13: 6-9 Grade Intermediate (Online or In Person)
What is the curriculum?
Middle School debate at the GMDI teaches a public forum curriculum that is tailored to their age and experience levels.
The topic chosen for the introductory labs at camp follows the September-October announced topic by the National Speech and Debate Association, similar to our advanced labs, but less focus is given to research skills development. Instead, more focus is given to persuasive speaking experience and learning the form of debate. Students in the middle school classes for public forum have shorter class periods, a specific textbook written by the Mason faculty, and a recess break each day.
The topic chosen for the intermediate labs at camp will follow the topic assigned for the September-October topic slate announced by the National Speech and Debate Association, allowing students to use their camp experience to prepare for the upcoming debate season. Labs will split curriculum between case construction and research development, practice debates, effective rebuttals/summary/final focus speeches, advanced crossfire skills, and other skills needed to be competitive at the junior varsity and varsity level of competition.
The Textbook
With consultation from the GMU education department, the George Mason Debate Institute staff crafted a workbook for each lab at the day camp last year. This workbook will be edited each year to encourage innovative learning.
An example of one of the textbooks from last year can be found here: