People · Values and ethics 20 min · pencil, a coin ★★☆

Debate: phones at school

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Good debaters can argue either side. Today a coin picks yours. Arguing a view you do not hold is one of the best ways to find out what you really think.

Flip a coin for your side. Write five points for each side anyway.
Circle your best point. Star the strongest point against you.
Argue your side out loud for one minute, then write what you now think.

The motion

Schools should collect phones at the start of the school day.

Flip a coin: heads = FOR, tails = AGAINST. My side:

FORThink about: focus, breaks, online drama	AGAINSTThink about: emergencies, getting home, self-control

Strongest point from the other side

What I now think

Talk it over

Why it matters: Arguing the side you disagree with builds fair-mindedness: you understand a view before you judge it. Good teams decide this way.

Which point from the other side was hardest to answer?
Did your view change at all? What moved it?

Extend it: At dinner, take one side each for two minutes, then swap sides.

Effort: ☐ easy ☐ right ☐ stretch

Key takeaway: ________________________________