The Great Fairy Tale Debate: Goldilocks

Course Summary

Step into the Great Fairy Tale Debate, where classic characters face off in debates! 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 Debate, where logic meets imagination! In this session, the question is: Did Goldilocks make a mistake, or is she just mischevious? 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. 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. Side Note: Age range is flexible. If you think your child will do well and have fun, go for it!

Syllabus

The debate is fun, but there is some serious learning going on here! 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

- 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).