A versatile discussion-based humanities game to practice argumentation around any text or topic for grades 6 through 12.
Socratic Smackdown offers a fun approach to having students practice discussion strategies. Socratic Smackdown is a printable game designed to be played with up to forty students at a time. In the game students are awarded points for using each of six questioning and discussion methods. Students can lose points for interrupting or distracting others. The play of Socratic Smackdown can be organized around a text-based question or organized around debate a question delivered verbally. During the game students can play the role of participant or “coach.” A coach’s role is focused on listening to the group and completing “coach cards” on which they write observations on what the participants did well and what they can do to improve.
This is an excellent way to involve students in deep discussions around social justice issues, and I have modified the game-play and introduced this as a ‘contemporary talking-circle” to address topics on social justice affecting Indigenous Peoples in Canada (i.e. Indian Act, UNDRIP, Access to Water, MMIWG, Media Bias, etc.)
Background: https://www.instituteofplay.org/learning-games
Print Resource: https://docs.wixstatic.com/ugd/4401d6_aeab4158fb324a5d80ba9dbcc0c6eed5.pdf