Debate and Logic: Fairy Tale Courtroom

Course Summary

Step into the Fairy Tale Courtroom, where classic characters face off in hilarious trials! Students become lawyers, witnesses, and jurors while learning the basics of logical argument, evidence, and debate. Through role-play, silliness, and clever reasoning, kids discover how to construct strong arguments, spot weak ones, and have fun with critical thinking.

Course Description

Welcome to the Fairy Tale Courtroom, where logic meets imagination! Over four engaging days, students step into the shoes of lawyers, witnesses, and jurors to resolve whimsical cases involving beloved fairy tale characters. They will: - Learn basic debate terminology: claim, evidence, and rebuttal. - Practice logical reasoning and persuasive speaking. - Spot and understand common logical fallacies in a fun and memorable way. Apply skills in mock trials with silly cases like “Goldilocks vs. The Three Bears” or “The Big Bad Wolf vs. The Three Little Pigs.” By the end of the class, students will not only be more confident in making and defending arguments but will also have a toolkit of logic and debate strategies they can use in everyday situations. This class is a perfect foundation for a longer-term debate course.

Syllabus

Day 1 – Building the Argument Introduction to the debate topic What makes a strong argument (claim, reason, evidence) Brainstorming definitions and examples Exploring both sides of the debate Discussing Fallacies *Research for next class Day 2 – The Debate Review of debate structure Student opening statements Guided discussion and cross-questioning Practicing respectful disagreement Final vote and reflection -Skills Learned- Logical reasoning Building clear arguments Listening and responding respectfully Asking thoughtful questions Supporting ideas with examples or evidence Understanding different perspectives Recognizing weak arguments or reasoning

Supplies

- “Fairy Tale Fallacy Cheat Sheet” (silly examples of ad hominem, strawman, slippery slope, etc.). - Paper and pencils for notes and evidence collection. - Whiteboard, notebook, or digital board for recording arguments, claims, and fallacies. - Optional: small props for role-playing (judge’s gavel, wigs, character name tags).