Debate topics for Gr. 6?

Sixth graders are 10 – 12 years old. What the heck do they know about Uber and Syria?

Have them debate whether school uniforms stifle individual expression, or whether metal detectors will make school safer, or whether they should do away with homework, or if video games rot your brain.

@Seek Kids this age are far more aware than we give them credit for and allowing them to discuss/debate will help them better understand the reasons these issues exist in the first place. My boys thanks to the bus and recess knew more about life and carnal knowledge than I was prepared to discuss at their age but when these things came up, we did talk about them so they knew about them in a real perspective as opposed to the salacious nitty gritty that they had already cut their teeth on.

Sex and international politics are very different subjects.

Uhhh…brilliant @seek but at what point in this discussion did sex become part of current events as far as adolescents are concerned??

Climate change: Human activity is raising temperatures and sea levels. First world countries became wealthy with cheap energy from fossil fuels. Should we limit developing countries’ fossil fuel consumption?

Immigration: Corporations can pick and choose where they build factories, moving production around the world, wherever labor is least expensive. Why are workers restricted from moving to countries where wages are higher?

The effect of the Citizens United decision of the Supreme Court on American government and/or whether corporations are people or should have the same rights as people.

As they are supposed to learn how to persuade readers, I think they should be writing about whatever is important to them. I don’t see why an entire class has to write about the same subject. Why not provide prompts, but ultimately let them choose?

Currency; necessary to civilized culture, or instrumental to its downfall?
Should large dog breeds be illegal to have at residences with less than two acres to run?
Should hats (not ball caps) be brought back into fashion for men?
Hangy down pants, should they be banned in public?
Should Earth humans colonize Mars?
Should the government impose price caps on medications?
Should fossil fuel use be regulated with rationing?

The internet would be a good one they should be able to relate to that also has many sub topics that could be explored like, Internet Security, Internet safety, internet censorship, time spent on the internet, intent content among many others.