Description
What is Elementary Speech Debate?
Elementary Speech and Debate is a dynamic and engaging program that helps young students find their voice and learn to think critically. It introduces 4th and 5th graders to the fundamentals of public speaking, logical reasoning, and structured argumentation in a fun and supportive environment. Students learn how to express their ideas clearly, organize their thoughts, and speak with confidence in front of an audience. The course focuses on SPAR Debate, Congressional Debate, Impromptu Speaking, and prepared speeches—formats that are age-appropriate and help students build a strong foundation in speech and debate. A major component of the class is preparing for tournaments, with at least five tournament opportunities each semester. These competitions are fun, low-stakes, and deeply enriching—they give students the chance to apply their skills in real settings and accelerate their learning through experience. Weekly lessons are designed not just to teach concepts, but to provide students with the tools, practice, and feedback they need to perform confidently and successfully at tournaments. Through games, drills, and guided practice rounds, students develop persuasive speaking, clear writing, and quick thinking. They also work in teams and build leadership and empathy through structured collaboration. Most importantly, elementary speech and debate makes learning joyful—and shows kids that their ideas matter.
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The Four Core Speech and Debate Formats Students Will Learn:
SPAR Debate (Spontaneous Argumentation): SPAR is a fast-paced, 1-on-1 debate format where students debate a fun or serious topic with very limited preparation. It teaches students to think quickly, organize their thoughts on the fly, and respond effectively to their opponent. Each round includes short speeches and cross-examination, helping students sharpen their listening and refutation skills. Topics range from “Cats are better than dogs” to “School uniforms should be required,” keeping the activity lively and accessible. SPAR is often a student favorite because it’s high-energy, competitive, and fun.
Congressional Debate: Congress simulates a session of the U.S. Congress, where students debate real-world legislation and practice public policy skills. Students prepare speeches either for or against bills and take turns speaking, cross-examining, and voting just like real legislators. It’s a great way to learn structured speaking, argument development, and political awareness in a collaborative environment. Congress also teaches students how to lead discussions and respond respectfully to opposing viewpoints. This format builds confidence in both prepared and impromptu speaking and is ideal for students who enjoy group discussion and civic engagement.
Impromptu Speaking: Impromptu is a solo speech format where students have just a few minutes to prepare a speech on a surprise topic. It helps students learn how to stay calm under pressure, structure a clear message, and deliver it with confidence. Topics might be a quote, a single word, or a question, and students are encouraged to draw on personal experiences, current events, and creative examples. This format strengthens creativity, organization, and time management—all in one. Judges love well-structured, thoughtful impromptu speeches, and students love the freedom and spontaneity it allows.
Prepared Speeches (Oratory, Declamation, Storytelling): Prepared speech events give students the chance to deliver a well-crafted speech that they’ve worked on over time and practiced to perfection. In Oratory, students write their own persuasive or informative speeches on a topic they care about. In Declamation, students perform a famous or powerful speech originally given by someone else, using tone, pacing, and emotion to bring it to life. In Storytelling, students retell a narrative with expression and creativity, building strong performance and presentation skills. These formats are ideal for students who enjoy writing, performing, and refining their delivery over time.
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Core Skills Students Will Learn:
-Public Speaking Confidence – Overcoming stage fright and learning to speak clearly and boldly in front of others.
-Argument Structure (Claim, Data, Warrant, Impact) – Building well-reasoned, persuasive arguments with clear organization.
-Critical Thinking – Analyzing topics from multiple perspectives and developing strong, logical reasoning.
-Quick Thinking & Spontaneity – Responding on the spot during SPAR and Impromptu speeches with clarity and creativity.
-Research & Evidence Use – Supporting ideas with facts, examples, and clear reasoning in prepared and impromptu formats.
-Effective Listening – Tracking opponents’ arguments, taking notes, and crafting strong rebuttals.
-Persuasive Writing – Outlining and scripting speeches that are structured, clear, and impactful.
-Refutation & Rebuttal – Learning how to challenge opposing viewpoints respectfully and convincingly.
-Speech Delivery Techniques – Practicing tone, pace, volume, projection, body language, and eye contact.
-Impact Weighing – Explaining why one argument matters more than another using scope, magnitude, timeframe, and probability.
-Collaboration & Teamwork – Working in pairs or groups to brainstorm, debate, and offer constructive feedback.
-Leadership & Self-Advocacy – Learning to take initiative, speak up, and defend one’s ideas with clarity and respect.
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Tournaments: A Core Part of the Program
Tournaments will be a major focus of the Elementary Speech & Debate program—and for good reason. They are not just competitions, but powerful learning experiences that help students apply their skills in real-world settings. Each semester, students will have at least five tournament opportunities, giving them regular chances to practice speaking under pressure, receive constructive feedback, and celebrate their growth. Tournaments accelerate progress by motivating students to polish their speeches, organize their arguments, and take their learning seriously—often without even realizing it, because the experience is so fun and rewarding. Whether it’s SPAR, Congress, Impromptu, or Prepared Speeches, tournaments help students build confidence, resilience, and a sense of accomplishment. These events are open to all students—no prior experience is required—and are designed to be welcoming, age-appropriate, and encouraging. The classroom curriculum is intentionally aligned with tournament preparation, so each week builds toward success on the competitive stage. Teachers provide structured practice rounds, individualized coaching, and guidance on tournament etiquette and strategy. Students who participate in tournaments often report feeling more confident in school presentations, group discussions, and everyday conversations. Most importantly, tournaments are a celebration of students’ hard work—and one of the best ways to make debate come alive.
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About Athens Debate
The speech and debate program at CAIS is proudly managed through Athens Debate, an award-winning academy led by Sachin Jain. Athens Debate has earned the #1 overall ranking in the Bay Area, California, and the Nation for the past three consecutive years, winning the Bay Area Championship, the California State Championship, and placing 1st at Nationals in multiple events. The program first launched at CAIS in 2018. Learn more at www.athensdebate.com.
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Testimonials:
"...Debate has had a huge impact on my development as a speaker, writer, and thinker. I am extremely grateful to have been a part of the debate program. I feel like I have gained the ability to look at a problem from all sides, learning and viewing issues in a much more dimensional way…" - student from last year
"...I started with zero knowledge of debate, and with you as my coach I’ve come far. From day one, debate was made to be fun. I still can’t fathom how you made 6th graders enjoy learning about obscure topics like whistleblower protections. There is no team I have been prouder to be on than Athens Debate. The skills you’ve taught me in debate have helped me in so many aspects of my life. I’ve become a better writer and improved my research skills. I even persuaded my parents to get me a phone :)..." - student from last year
"...As I said before, Sachin is an exceptional coach that has a way with the kids that inspires kids to love debate like the Robin Williams character in Dead Poet's Society inspired kids to love poetry. I know my kids are totally hooked and your legacy will live on in these kids' lives…" - parent of CAIS debater from last year
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Questions:
If you have any questions, feel free to email Sachin Jain at sachin@athensdebate.com
Instructors Name: TBD, Athens Debate
Tuesday: (14 classes) Sep. 9, 16, 23, 30; Oct. 7, 14, 21, 28; Nov. 4, 11, 18; Dec. 2, 9, 16.