Mysteries

Subject: Language classes
Summary: Carl Popper debate, listening, Nazca Lines, group work
Activity length: 90 min
Objectives:

To present for and against opinions debating on a topic „Mystery of the Nazca lines can be expalined scientifically“

Preparation:
  • Individual research done at home by students. 6 ready arguments for and against the topic.
  • Handouts with a listening task about Nazca lines prepared by a techer.
Description:
  • Presenting the objectives of the lesson, sharing teacher‘s handouts. (5 min)
  • Listening task – analysis of the unkown words. (3 min)
  • Students do the listening task. Listening is performed twice (10 min)
  • Analysis of the answers (5 min)
  • Class discussion about Nazca lines, personal opinions of the student on the subject (5 min)
  • The students are devided into 2 groups: affirmative and negative. (2 min)
  • Working in groups students analyse the prepared arguments FOR and AGAINST the topic  „Mystery of the Nazca lines can be expalined scientifically“ and choose the best for the speeches  (5 min)
  • 6 students are chosen for a debate, the rest of the students become „judges“ (2 min)
  • Preparation of the affirmative speech (1 min)
  • 1st Affirmative (3 min)
  • Preparation for cross examination (1 min)
  • Cross examination (2 min)
  • Preparation of the 1st negative speech (1 min)
  • 1st negative (3 min)
  • Preparation for cross examination (1 min)
  • Cross examination (2 min)
  • Preparation of the 2nd affirmative speech (1 min)
  • 2nd affirmative (3 min)
  • Preparation for cross examination (1 min)
  • Cross examination (2 min)
  • Preparation of the 2nd negative speech (1 min)
  • 2nd negative (3 min)
  • Prepatation for cross examination (1 min)
  • Cross examination (2 min)
  • Preparation of the 3rd speeches (3 min)
  • 3rd affirmative (3 min)
  • 3rd negative (3 min)
  • Analysis of the debate: judges give their evaluation on structure, arguments and examples used in speeches. Teachers comments (10 min)
  • Evaluation of the students. (3 min)
  • Homework for the next lesson. To write a for and against essay on the topic „Mystery of the Nazca lines can be expalined scientifically“ (230-250 words) (3min)
Assessment:

Speakers get marks, every judge who presented his or her opinion gets 2 points, which will be added to the next debates‘mark.

Additional notes:

Extra paper for speakers to take down notes; Evaluation criteria provided for judges; Tables with the structure of the Carl Popper  debate.