Zoo Debate

On Wednesday, 14 December, Grade 7 Academic English Programme students engaged in a short debate on zoos before beginning a writing unit about expressing opinions.

Students were randomly assigned a side to argue, either in support of or against zoos.  In groups, they developed arguments for their stance, which were then presented individually.  After this, there was a chance for rebuttals and questions.

Some persuasive arguments in support of zoos were that they are safer for animals, as natural habitats are disappearing, and that zoos are fun places for families to spend time together.

Two opposing arguments were that captivity could make animals feel stressed and that animals would usually be separated from their families.

This activity was successful in that it helped to introduce the genre of writing the group would study.  Individual roles in the debate encouraged reluctant students to speak to the class.  Finally, general interest in the topic led to high student engagement as well as creative and interesting ideas.

Related Posts

Grade7: Trash to Treasure – Cardboard Chairs

Grade 7s have been helping to save the planet by taking old cardboard, Pringle cans and old rolls of masking […]

October 16, 2020

Prem Community Learning Days!

As we know many of our activities and learning experiences outside the classroom have been disrupted due to Covid and […]

February 11, 2022

MYP English Parent Workshop

On Thursday morning, our Senior School Language Curriculum Leaders responded to parent requests for an informational workshop on English learning […]

April 1, 2022

An Amazing Result! Around the World Challenge Has Been Completed!!

In 63 days we have achieved 40,512kms and have actually just landed in Yangoon in Myanmar. A slight overshoot that I feel […]

November 19, 2021