8th Grade Debates with Jacqueline Mathey and Ashley Johnson

Sara Keller, Admissions and Communications Associate
Before the winter break, 8th grade teachers Jacqueline Mathey and Ashley Johnson led a joint language arts and social studies unit that required students to deeply engage with the Reconstruction era, the years immediately following the Civil War. At the end of the unit, the 8th graders were challenged to present their knowledge and understanding of the issues of the time period in oral debates. In a process modeled after higher-level debate competitions, the 8th graders were given a topic to study, but were only informed of their pro or con stance the day before their debate, requiring them to rely on the significant groundwork they put in beforehand.
Leading up to this project, in both social studies and language arts classes, students read several texts and participated in discussions about the Reconstruction era. They delved into many complex topics of the time, all of which could be analyzed and supported from multiple perspectives. This process required them to think critically about history from multiple vantage points, broadening their knowledge and understanding of the era’s context, and contemplate historical–and contemporary—arguments. 

Some of the debate topics included: 
  • It is possible, in a democracy, to help all people.
  • Booker T. Washington called for the Black community to “cast down your bucket.” This was an effective strategy for helping his community live in peace.
  • Leaving the South was a good idea for Black families.
  • The Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen and Abandoned Lands was a successful government agency.
  • Our society has effectively erased racially-based business practices like sharecropping.
  • Reconstruction was successful.

“Students picked debate topics that had been discussed at length in class. Then, they researched and wrote a paper that enumerated pros and cons on their topic. Our thinking was that, once students had finished the papers, they had substantial research to fuel either position on their topic during the debate.” - Jacqueline Mathey, 8th Grade Social Studies Teacher

The 8th graders also practiced valuable skills like planning and organization, time management, and collaboration. The first part of this month-long project was largely independent—each student was responsible for weeks of self-paced research and writing. The second part—the debate and prep—required close collaboration and dependability to ensure cohesion. 

In this unit alone, the 8th graders grew as thinkers, speakers, and collaborators; all essential skills that not only prepare them for the rigorous demands of high school, but also reflect real-world expectations they will inevitably face in adulthood.
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Located in College Park, MD, Friends Community School is a progressive Quaker K-8 day school, founded on the belief that every child is a valued member of our community. We offer a challenging curriculum imbued with strong values of equality, integrity, community, environmental stewardship, simplicity and peaceful conflict resolution, rooted in our Quaker heritage.
Friends Community School
5901 Westchester Park Drive
College Park, Maryland 20740
301-441-2100