Asynchronous Debate Topics: “Asynch Debate” a 4-minute speech (w/ sources!). Topic = Self-Driving Cars, or Topic = Restricting “War Powers”.
Please fill these out! 🙂 [War Powers (PRO)], & [War Powers (CON)]. <= Sources are optional, using videos & comics = allowed!
Assigned Platform Topics: “Assigned Platform” a 3-minute speech (w/ sources!).
Topics (April 2026): Deepfakes, Lab-Grown Meat, Maps, Microplastics, The Northern Lights, Rivers, Snail Mail, Street Art, Surveillance Capitalism,
& Urban Food Deserts (We need 5 min & 3 min versions!). [Topics Explained (PDF)]
Resources: [Assigned Platform (Audio)], [Assigned Platform (Video)], & [Guide: Assigned Platform (PDF)].

Topic-01 (NOF = PF & LD): [Listen (2 min)]
The United States ought to require that self-driving cars replace human drivers on public roads. 
Required Videos: [Overview], [Background], [PRO Side], & [CON Side].
Required Reading: [Report (PDF)]. [Info-01], [Info-02], [Info-03], [Info-04], [Info-05]. [Comic-01], [Comic-02], & [Comic-03].
Sample Evidence: [Evidence Packet].
Sample Outlines: [Arguments], [Rebuttals], [Rejoinders], & [Voting Issues]. [Shared Folder (Google)].

Topic-02 (NSDA = PF): [Listen (2 min)]
The United States should eliminate the President’s authority to deploy military forces abroad without Congressional approval.
Required Media (Images & Videos): [Overview], [Background], [Video (PRO)], [Video (CON)], [Img-01], [Img-2], & [Img-03].
Required Reading: [Report (PDF)], [Background], [Comic-1], [Comic-2], [Comic-3], [Comic-4 (Both Sides)], & [Comic-5 (Both Sides)].
Sample Evidence: [Evidence (Champion Briefs)], & [Evidence (Victory Briefs)].
Sample Outlines: [Evidence (HMDC)-4.09], [Arguments-4.09], [Rebuttals-4.09], [Rejoinders-4.09], [Voting Issues-4.09], & [Crossfires-4.09]. <= Ready!!!
[Shared Folder (Google)]. 

1. [Research] Please do the following research (everyone!)…
   This month is a little bit different because I’m asking you to create a five-minute speech for your assigned platform topic. I recommend finding two pieces of evidence per body paragraph, for a total of six. I think you’re going to reach five minutes, and then I want you to record a video of your five-minute speech. Then, remove one piece of evidence from each of your body paragraphs and record again to make a three-minute speech. We need the five-minute speech for the upcoming national championship in June. (Middle schoolers = 8-10 min speech). 
2. [Writing] Please do the following assignments… 
   I need you to write a step-by-step, full-sentence outline for each of the following speeches:
   [New] The assigned platform speech (5 min & 3 min).
   [New] The PRO or CON side of “War Powers” (5+ min).
   [War Powers (PRO)], & [War Powers (CON)].
   or… [Old] The PRO or CON side of “self-driving cars” (4-5 min).
   …
3. [Speaking] Please practice speaking from your speech outlines… 
   I need you to submit your video recording of self-driving cars, where you pick one side or the other, and make a four-minute video recording based on your speech outline. I need you to practice speaking your assigned platform speech, and later, we will make a video recording. Just practice it so that you can deliver that speech during our next meeting. Be ready to discuss what we learned about restricting the President’s war powers. Perhaps practice your Crossfire technique using your T-Chart to assist you.