Category: Students

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Debate Topics for 2022-2023

Are you a teacher who is looking for debate topics for 2022 to use with your students? Well, look no further because we have a list of topics that you can use in your classroom today.

  • Education is becoming costlier, but the quality is not improving.
  • Kids and teens in poor neighborhoods should be given free education.
  • The rise of augmented reality in Hollywood and its results.
  • Video games are promoting violence and sexism.
  • Google is transforming into an online police force
  • Orwell’s novel 1984 is becoming a reality. Discuss and explain with examples.
  • Dating in the workplace should be banned.
  • Guardians should monitor their children’s computer and phone use.
  • Racial profiling is a form of discrimination.
  • Reasons for drug abuse in high school and college-going kids.
  • Values or wealth? Which one is necessary to survive?
  • There is no third gender.
  • Homosexual relationships are against nature.
  • Do drug addicts need punishment?
  • Parental support is paramount for the future success of kids.
  • Tech makes people smarter. How?
  • How can all cars become electric?
  • A robot can help people’s quality of life.
  • Discuss the recent development in the tech field.
  • The public electoral college should be tuition-free.
  • All educators should get tenure.
  • All districts should offer school vouchers.
  • The purchasing of human organs should never be legal.
  • Birth control should be available for purchase over the counter.
  • Net neutrality should be restored.
  • Alternative energy can replace fossil fuels.
  • Cell phone radiation is dangerous.
  • Euthanasia should be illegal.
  • Vaping should be illegal.
  • High school athletes should be drug tested.
  • How should parents deal with a bad report card?
  • Our privacy is more sacred than national security.
  • Why is football so dangerous for teenagers?
  • Should schools offer academic bonuses?
  • Do kids need recess?
  • How do we stop cyberbullying?
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Controversial Debate Topics

Controversy is one thing that often divides us, but it all makes for great debate topics. Are you a teacher who is looking for controversial debate topics to use with your students? Well, look no further because we have a list of topics that you can use in your classroom today.

  • Alcohol should not be available for sale on weekends.
  • Pharmacists should be allowed to prescribe medicines.
  • Animal testing should be illegal.
  • Public speaking boosts the confidence of learners.
  • Kids should play video games.
  • Beauty pageants are setting unattainable standards in society.
  • Obesity in kids is increasing because of parents’ lack of control over their kids.
  • Kids should be allowed to use gadgets.
  • There should be advertisements on kids’ channels.
  • People should be fined comparable to their income.
  • Police should be allowed to use force.
  • Are men stronger than women?
  • Obese people should pay a premium for healthcare.
  • Healthcare should not be free for everyone.
  • Rich people should pay more taxes.
  • Women should be paid less than men,
  • Wars are never justified.
  • Marriage is no longer necessary.
  • Celebrities should earn less
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Debate Topics for College Students

Are you an instructor or professor looking for debate topics for college students? Check out the list below.

  • Social media sites are used for stalking instead of communicating.
  • Torture is never justified, no matter the situation.
  • How can peer pressure affect an innocent soul?
  • Violent games should be illegal for teenagers.
  • The modern college education system is not better than the traditional one.
  • Beauty pageants are the way to objectify women.
  • Cigarettes should be allowed in public places.
  • Homework should not be banned.
  • Models are creating unrealistic standards of beauty.
  • Fast-food chains are the cause of the rise in the obesity rate.
  • We are living in a dystopian world.
  • Is the Paris Agreement pertinent today?
  • How can a college degree assist you in getting an excellent job?
  • Why should religion be avoided in discussions?
  • Why history an essential subject area?
  • Why is it essential for the learners to play sports regularly?
  • Boarding school is detrimental to the mental health of the learners.
  • Abortion should be available to all women.
  • Barbie is not a great model for young girls.
  • Burning the flag should be illegal.
  • Can censorship ever be justified?
  • Censorship is sometimes warranted on the internet.
  • Companies should not be required to hire 50% male and 50% female employees.
  • Drug addicts should be helped rather than punished.
  • Drug use should not be treated as a mental health issue.
  • Euthanasia should be legal.
  • Feminism should focus more on men’s rights.
  • Gay marriage should be legalized.
  • Gay people should not be allowed to adopt children.
  • Has the #MeToo movement gone too far?
  • Healthcare should be universal.
  • Is feminism irrelevant in the 21st century?
  • Is graffiti art just as worthy of regard as classical paintings?
  • Is privacy important?
  • Marijuana should be legalized.
  • Peer pressure is a good thing.
  • Police should not be allowed to use excessive force.
  • Religion does more harm than good.
  • Sex work should be legal.
  • Should genetic engineering be legal?
  • Should human cloning be legalized?
  • Should insurance cover cosmetic procedures?
  • Smoking should be banned.
  • Social media does more harm than good.
  • The death penalty should be abolished.
  • The government should provide free birth control.
  • The harms of patriotism outweigh the benefits.
  • The minimum wage should be lowered (or raised).
  • We’re living in a dystopian society.
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Debate Topics for Middle School Students

For most of us, middle school is a pivotal time in our lives. During this time, we are starting to form a concrete identity and find our voice. During this journey of self-discovery, we need people in our lives to help nurture us. If you are a teacher, you likely try to use instructional time to create opportunities for students to find their voice. The best tool in your teaching toolkit, debates. Why? Because they help students hone their critical thinking skills and learn how to argue their points respectfully and honestly. Below we have included debate topics that you can use with your middle school students today.

  • There should be chores for learners as well.
  • Sports should be a part of middle school.
  • School debate should be required for all learners.
  • Is the death penalty an effective punishment?
  • Should there be school uniforms or a dress code?
  • Junk food should be banned in schools.
  • Energy drinks should be banned for learners.
  • Learners should volunteer for community service.
  • Learners should not be allowed gadgets in school.
  • Kids shouldn’t be allowed to play violent video games.
  • Zoos should be banned.
  • Mobile phones should be allowed in schools.
  • Why do children need privacy?
  • Learners should not be allowed to use Facebook.
  • Importance of saving money.
  • Every learner should adopt a family pet.
  • Why do most kids start smoking?
  • Importance of reading books.
  • Should all students have chores daily?
  • Does every home need a pet?
  • Should each student play a musical instrument?
  • Does homework need to be banned?
  • Should schools require uniforms?
  • Is year-round school better for students?
  • Should juice and sodas be banned from children?
  • Should PE be required for students?
  • Does snack need to be banned from schools?

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100 Accommodations for Students With Learning and Behavioral Disabilities

Just 100 simple interventions that you can use to help learning disabled students succeed.

  1. Provide study carrels.
  2. Use room dividers.
  3. Provide headsets to muffle noise.
  4. Seat learner away from doors and windows.
  5. Seat learner near model.
  6. Provide a time-out area.
  7. Rearrange learner groups.
  8. Group for cooperative learning.
  9. Vary working surfaces.
  10. Simplify and/or shorten instructions.
  11. Give both oral and written directions.
  12. Have learner repeat directions.
  13. Have learner repeat learning objective.
  14. Ask frequent questions.
  15. Change question level.
  16. Change response format
  17. Provide sequential directions.
  18. Use manipulatives.
  19. Alter objective criterion level.
  20. Provide functional tasks
  21. Reduce the number of items on a task.
  22. Highlight relevant words/features.
  23. Use picture directions.
  24. Provide guided practice.
  25. Provide practice.
  26. Increase allocated time.
  27. Use a strategic approach.
  28. Change reinforcers.
  29. Increase reinforcement frequency.
  30. Delay reinforcement.
  31. Increase wait time.
  32. Use physical warm-up exercises.
  33. Use specific rather than general praise.
  34. Have a peer tutor program.
  35. Provide frequent review
  36. Have the learner summarize at the end of the lesson.
  37. Use self-correcting materials.
  38. Adapt test items for differing response methods.
  39. Teach mnemonic devices.
  40. Provide reinforcers.
  41. Use behavioral contracts
  42. Establish routines for everything.
  43. Use timers to show allocated time.
  44. Teach self-correctio.
  45. Provide visual cues.
  46. Block out extraneous stimuli on written material.
  47. Tape-record directions.
  48. Tape-record learner responses.
  49. Use a study guide.
  50. Provide a critical vocabulary list for the content material.
  51. Provide a key fact list.
  52. Use clock faces to teach time
  53. Use dotted lines to align up math problems.
  54. Provide directions for transitions.
  55. Assign only one assignment at a time.
  56. Provide discussion questions.
  57. Use word markers for reading.
  58. Alter sequence.
  59. Highlight keywords on test items.
  60. Provide assignment sheets.
  61. Post schedule.
  62. Use graph paper for place value.
  63. Provide cues.
  64. Establish rules and review frequently.
  65. Teach major direction words.
  66. Use practice.
  67. Provide pencil grips.
  68. Tape paper to desk or table
  69. Shorten assignments into daily tasks.
  70. Segment directions.
  71. Number assignments to be completed.
  72. Change far-point to near-point material for copying.
  73. Put desk close to the board.
  74. Integrate currently popular characters into assignments for motivation.
  75. Repeat significant points.
  76. Use physical cues while speaking.
  77. Pause during speaking.
  78. Use verbal cues.
  79. Change tone of voice, whisper, etc.
  80. Use an honor system.
  81. Collect notebooks weekly to review learner’s notes.
  82. Reorganize exams to go from easy to hard.
  83. Color code place value assignments.
  84. Use autodidatic materials.
  85. Do only odd or even-numbered items.
  86. Use a typewriter or large print for written material.
  87. Provide organizers for desk materials.
  88. Teach varied reading rates.
  89. Provide content/lecture summaries.
  90. Use peer-medicated strategies.
  91. Call the learner’s name before asking a question.
  92. Use extra spaces between lines of print.
  93. Color code materials/directions.
  94. Use raised-line paper.
  95. Provide calculators.
  96. Circle math computation sign.
  97. Use hand signals to cue behavior.
  98. Establish a rationale for learning.
  99. Use advance organizers.
  100. Help learners develop their own learning strategies.
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Six Brain Breaks To Reenergize Students

Brain breaks are necessary for students to boost their energy levels and to keep them focused and motivated. Especially now, brain breaks are essential when kids are glued to screens during online classes.

If you are a parent or a teacher concerned about resetting your students’ energy levels, here are six educational brain breaks that you can incorporate.

1. Yoga Break

It is wise to familiarize kids with exercise at an early stage. What better way to do so than by incorporating yoga in classes as a brain break? Take a short 5-minute break from studies and ask students to sit in a comfortable, cross-legged position. 

Then teach them fun and easy stretching poses. Keep reminding them to concentrate on their breathing. This is just what the kids need after a long period of sitting in one place. It will give their backs a nice stretch, and the deep breathing would make them more relaxed.

2. Just Jump

If you notice that the class’s energy is going low, the best way to excite the students is to incorporate some play. Ask them to stand up at their spots and jump. They may hesitate at first, but this is such a fun exercise that they are sure to enjoy once they start it. This will make them energetic and ready to learn and engage again.

3. Focus On Sound

This is an easy activity that students can carry out while remaining seated at their place. Play a chime or soulful tune on your phone. Ask your students to carefully listen to it as its vibration reverberates through their body. Tell them to only focus on listening to the sound and their breathing. This activity is not only easy but also incredibly relaxing.

4. Watch A Fun Video

Most students love watching videos and movies in class. Revitalize their energy by showing them a fun video. “How are they made?” are always a hit. You can watch how crayons, chocolates, Legos, and other things are made.

5. Doodle

Kids are creative, but their creativity remains unnurtured when they get busy with academics. Set a timer for 5 minutes and tell them to silently doodle whatever they wish. Making something without instructions and following their instincts help nurture students’ skills. A break from studying also refreshes them.

6. Take A Comedy Break

Comedy always works! If you are short on time, play a short humorous video to bring up the class’s energy. Also, you can ask the students to volunteer to share jokes or ask for fun riddles. Interaction amongst students certainly makes them excited.

Concluding Thoughts

One class after the other can mentally and physically exhaust students. Teachers and parents must incorporate brain breaks as they help students get refreshed. Use any of the activities listed above and see for yourself how they help in reenergizing the students.

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11 Types of Data Needed to Create a Student Success Plan

Are you trying to complete a student success plan, but don’t know what data is needed? Don’t worry; we have you covered. Below, you will find a list of 11 types of data that can be included in your student success plan.

Standardized Test Results – provide comparative data on a state-wide or national level. Some assessments measure achievement, and others are diagnostic skills.

Informal Assessments – provide essential information that can have a diagnostic significance. These assessments can be teacher-made or commercially produced.

Report Cards – provide teacher rating of learner progress toward learning standards and an indicator of behavior.

Teacher/Parent/Learner Rating Scales – assist in the measurements of areas that are not easy to assess through tests, such as attitude, and interests.

Classroom Work Samples – are examples of learners’ work such as writing assignments, projects, homework, etc., can provide insight.

Curriculum-Based Measurement (CBM) – is a standardized procedure for teachers to track and record learner progress in a specific area, using brief and straightforward tests.

Screening Data – provides general information on learner skills and abilities. Its purpose is to identify potential “at-risk” learners.

Classroom Observation – provides essential information, not only on how the learner responds to instruction but also on the effectiveness of the appropriateness between teaching and learning.

Disciplinary Referrals – are another necessary means of determining how classroom learning is being affected by disciplinary conduct.

Attendance Data – is an important component of a comprehensive assessment. Data on both excused and unexcused absences and tardies are critical.

Functional Behavioral Assessments – observations and team analysis of learner behavior.

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What Is A Fixed Mindset?

Have you ever found yourself feeling unmotivated because you believe that you simply can’t do something? In these moments, we think that failure is inevitable and, because of our attitude towards the task at hand, we generally do end up failing.

We have all been in this frame of mind at least once in our lives. The fear of failure is usually the culprit when it comes to our lack of success.

In this article, we will be discussing what is meant by the term ‘fixed mindset.’ More so, we will mention a few real-life examples and how you can go about changing this mindset.

What Is A Fixed Mindset?

A person who has a fixed mindset assumes that knowledge and skills are set. In other words, they think that you either have what it takes to succeed at a specific task, or you don’t. They do not believe in development or growth – in their mind, no matter how hard you work at something, you won’t find success unless you are naturally talented.

A Real-Life Example Of A Fixed Mindset

Nokia used to be one of the most prominent phone brands in the world. However, they refused to change their operating system in 2011, even though the newer version was much more successful.

It is believed that they didn’t want to change because Samsung was using the more modern OS. In the end, Nokia faced a major downfall, and Samsung took their spot as the world’s biggest phone brand.

In this scenario, Nokia had a fixed mindset when they refused to improve and develop their products. Their closed mind ended up being responsible for their own downfall.

How To Change A Fixed Mindset

Luckily for us, there are a few ways in which we can change a fixed mindset:

  • Change your perspective. Instead of sticking to what you know, don’t be afraid to try new things and gain new perspectives.
  • Make sure that you learn from your failures and see them as a stepping-stone to success.
  • Be patient when it comes to changing your mindset. More so, ensure that you reflect on your decisions and contemplate what you would like to change.

Concluding Thoughts

A fixed mindset assumes that skills and intelligence are relatively set. These people do not believe in development or growth – they have a closed mind and believe that you either have what it takes or do not. To change a fixed mindset, you should be patient and learn from your mistakes. More so, you must try new things and change your perspective.

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7 Ways to Measure Student Growth

I define student growth as academic progress that is accomplished over a period, as assessed at the onset and end of a specified time. It can be calculated for countries, states, cities, schools, or students, and many variables and strategies can be used to determine if “growth” has occurred. Sounds easy, right. Not exactly. Many school districts and even state departments of education have difficulty measuring student growth. If you fall into this category, don’t worry, we have your back. In this article, we will discuss seven ways to measure student growth.

The Computer-Adaptive Approach

This approach allows educators to view student growth over a single year, as opposed to multiple years, on the same scale. Computer adaptive assessments will adjust their difficulty based on a student’s performance.

The Student Growth Percentile Approach

This approach compares a student’s growth to students with similar test scores. The benefit of this approach is that it allows us to fairly compare students who start at different levels with similar students.

The Value-Added Approach

This approach measures the teacher’s effectiveness in a given year by comparing the current test scores of their students to the scores of those same students in prior school years. Value-added models are considered fairer than other models since it takes confounding context variables like past performance, student status, or family income status into consideration.

The VAM – Covariate Adjusted Approach

In this approach, student academic growth is calculated by juxtaposing students’ predicted scores with their genuine scores. One of the drawbacks of this approach is that you will need several years of “matched” data for accuracy.

The Gain Score Approach

This approach measures year-to-year change by subtracting the year before an (initial) score from the current year (final) score. The growth of a teacher is averaged and compared to the overall average growth for other teachers. It’s easy to calculate and can be used with local assessments. The issue is that it doesn’t make accommodations for initial achievement levels; it’s just a run of the mill calculation of the change in score for students.

The Effect Size Approach

The effect size approach allows you to compute the amount of the difference between two groups. With this approach, if a teacher gets an effect size of +1.0, their students grew one standard deviation.

The Progress Monitoring Approach

This approach is different from your usual criterion-referenced assessments because they are not normed. They’re easy to administer, and the data can be shown to explain the difference between where the student is performing relative to the expected target or level.

Can you think of any additional ways that we can measure student growth?

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4 Benefits of Taking Advanced Placement Courses

The Advanced Placement program is an initiative offered by the College Board, which gives students the chance to take university-level classes while in high school. Currently, there are 38 AP courses in seven subject areas, and each session is modeled on a similar college course. At the end of each AP course, students are required to take a standardized college-level assessment or AP Exam. Are you thinking of participating in the AP program but can’t seem to get off of the fence? Don’t worry; we will help you decide. Keep reading to learn about four benefits of taking Advanced Placement courses.

Build skills and confidence.

AP students learn the essential study skills needed for college and career success. Students dig deeper into subjects that are of interest to them and learn to tap their creativity and their problem-solving skills to solve course challenges. This helps them to build confidence in their ability, which will pay dividends when they enter college or the workplace. The AP experience also helps former students tap into a growth mindset during challenging times and times of uncertainty.

Get into college.

Students who enroll in AP courses show colleges that they’re serious about their education and that they’re willing to challenge themselves with challenging coursework. 85% of selective institutions report that a student’s AP experience positively impacts admission decisions. Being an AP student doesn’t make you a shoo-in for your college of choice, but it certainly helps make you a competitive candidate.

Success in college.

Research studies show that students who receive a score of 3 and above on AP Exams experience more academic success in college and have higher graduation rates than their non-AP peers. This is proof that the AP program does an outstanding job of preparing participants for the rigors of college.

Save time and money in college.

Research has shown that students who participate in AP courses and exams are more likely than their classmates to finish a college degree on time. Most institutions nationwide offer college credit, advanced placement, or both for qualifying AP Exam scores.

Well, that does it for this brief piece on the benefits of the AP exam. If you know of any additional benefits, please leave them in the comments section below.