This past week, 100 middle school students from 10 schools around New York meet together at Tarrytown, N.Y. for a monthly tournament in order to be taught about civilized dissent. Together they from the New York Debate League which is composed of students from elite institutions and a large amount of poor students. This league accepts any child of ethnic background and involves a distinct mix of students. The tournaments involve students being given a topic in which they have 20 minutes to study and then participate in a debate based on their given topic. Some of the students that have been involved in this league believe that it helps them prepare for the real world. Another influence that these tournaments have on the students is that it allows the students to grow an appreciation of research, debate skills, and other skills which they will need for real world situations weather it be for political or presentation purposes. Finally, these tournaments provide middle school students of a more diverse ethnic background and who's families are not as financially stable as others to pay for more elite schools, the chance to learn about civil dissent and acquire real world skills... So What? Do you think that these tournaments will have a good influence on the youth of America? What kind of outcome will these tournaments have on those who participate in them?
I feel that this is a step forward in America's future because it is essential to learn about the real world at a young age, instead of learning a lot later. In normal school, you learn math, english, and science so you can go to college; they do not teach you about the real world much. By them learning about what to do in the future, they have a better chance in thriving.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Aileen, it is a step forward in future generations. I think it's great that these kids have a a chance to prepare for the real world at a young age. It is extremely beneficial towards their future with debate skills, research skills, and presentation skills. It's great that these kids whose family might not be financially stable, have a chance in experience the process of debates and being around diverse students. The outcome will be good for them considering what they are taught and offered at a middle school age.
ReplyDeleteI think these tournaments will have a great influence on American's youth. Those who participate are being opened up to the real world, and learning how to argue one way when they may believe in another. The things that these kids are being taught, I think they will use much more than the basic math, science, English, and history principles that middle school students learn. While they are good things to learn, they don't have the taste of life that the debate tournaments have.
ReplyDeleteI think that this is a very interesting and beneficial program, especially given the fact that it allows kids with lower income to participate in something that will help with important life skills. I think that the mix of backgrounds will help them to be more open minded as well, which is equally important, if not more, than academic smarts. As Vivian said, it is a great idea to start developing these skills at a younger age, rather than later.
ReplyDeleteI agree with what Valerie claims how it is a great program because it gives children with lower income to participate in this program. This program is very beneficial to future generations because it allows them to develop skills which will help them throughout their entire life. It offers children a chance to challenge themselves and work on their problem solving skills which is a very essential skill to require. Starting kids off at a young age is a great idea because it is better to start developing these skills rather than later.
ReplyDeleteI think these debates are great as well. I think that it's important to show adults that kids are very capable of doing great things and that they have ideas that are equally important and sophisticated. I think it expands their minds and knowledge more which is great, and they learn how to interact without violence or cursing, which is common today. I think its also great as others have said about the diversity and the chance that social class divides also get to be destroyed.
ReplyDeleteI believe that this program is very nice and educational for children that are not so privileged. With this program, children that come from lower income families will get an opportunity that they wouldn't have had if the program was not available for them. The program would be able to benefit a child and their learning, especially about the world around them, so that when they grow older their will understand the real world a bit more with the skills that they were about to pick up within the program offered here. In the end, it would help build a stronger and brighter future for not only the child, but the rest of society.
ReplyDeleteIn my opinion, this is a very effective way to ensure a better future for the youth in our country. As they say, "knowledge is power." and these debates not only help these young people to widen their views, but it creates opportunities for them to get into better schools, and have a better professional life career. It would definitely make a great impact.
ReplyDeleteI personally believe this is extremely beneficial to all youth in America. The fact that there is a place for these children to get better educated on the real world is great. This step towards being educated on the real world is effective is building a smarter society where everyone is well educated on the world around them. It is also encouraging to know that children who aren't as privileged as others get the same opportunity to be well educated.
ReplyDeleteI agree with what everyone is saying that this is super beneficial todays youth. These are the kind of programs we should be using in todays core curriculum.Tournaments make kids brains work in a different way that they would not normally use in a basic classroom course.
ReplyDeleteThese debate tournaments teach extremely useful skills to young people that they may not have been able to learn otherwise. It makes it even better that this is inclusive of many poor students who may not have the resources to attend large scale debate conferences. Though these skills may not be used in the classroom all the time, they will certainly be helpful in dealing with the real world when they grow up.
ReplyDeleteI would have to agree with what everyone had been saying. I believe that this is a huge thing for the youth of America. Most likely when these kids grow up and get a job they are going to have to do some type of public speaking or have very good people skills. By having these debate Leagues it looks like these kids will finally be able to acquire the skills necessary for the real world. In today’s times I see way to many students who are terrified of public speaking. I think that by having these leagues it could have a really positive effect on America in the future.
ReplyDeleteI agree that these debates give these children opportunities to apply real world skills within a short period of time. They obtain skills such as learning to make the most of their resources, situations, and the people around them. Furthermore, it allows children who have not been as privileged, to have a chance to branch out of their comfort zone and be exposed to situations that they may come to face in adult hood. These debate leagues definitely provide a positive impact on America's future generations.
ReplyDeleteI would also agree with everyone else as well for kids being able to have acces to this so they can be a better person in school, and skills. It could also help with future problems like being afraid of public speaking
ReplyDeleteI think it'll be a great for those who are participating. It'll let them have and advantage and be more knowledge, it is actually a great influence. An outcome that will happen to those who participate is, more knowledge, good for them to think quick in small amount of time, and to get ready for activities like these in the future.
ReplyDeleteI believe this is great & I agree with everyone above. These student will be able to apply these skills elsewhere in the real world and it will definatley prepare them for when they become adults.I also think it is great that students that dont have a lot are given this opportunity. It allows them to learn things they don't have access to. They are given a chance at real life skills and this better educates them
ReplyDeleteI do agree with this process that everyone are allowed a free education. But I especially like that high elite teachers are teaching these students, which takes away a part of being segregated. I hope these students takes this opportunity and help them get an education in the future to come as well.
ReplyDeleteThis is a great thing, I think people should be exposed to diversity because that is what the real world if like. I think if these tournaments continue then we can help eliminate some stereotypes. This is a great opportunity for students and I hope they take advantage of this opportunity.
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