Thursday, July 3, 2014

Debate Topics for High Schools

Debates are a great way for students to get involved in class. Students have to research topics, prepare for the debate with their team, and think on their feet as they practice public speaking. Following is a list of debate topics for use in High School classrooms. While some of these are specifically written for a particular part of the curriculum, others can be modified or used in a number of different classes. Each item is listed as a proposition that one team is to defend and another team is to oppose. Learn more about class debates: How to Hold a Class Debate. High School Debate Topics All students should have an after school job. Partial birth abortion should be illegal. Every student should be required to take a performing arts course. Homework should be banned. School uniforms should be required. Year round education is not a good idea for student learning. The legal drinking age should be lowered to 18. PE should be required of all students throughout high school. All students should be required to perform one year of community service. Schools should block Youtube. Students should be able to leave school for lunch. All parents should be required to attend parenting classes before having a child. Single-sex schools are better for students. Students should be held legally responsible for bullying in schools. Cyberbullying that occurs outside of school, should be punished by the school. Teachers should not be allowed to contact students through social media. Public prayer should not be allowed in schools. High stakes state testing should be abolished. All people should be vegetarians. Renewable forms of energy should be subsidized by the government. Should America provide foreign aid to countries that kill and sell items from endangered animals. It is never appropriate for the government to restrict freedom of speech. Human cloning should be banned. Poetry should be removed from the curriculum. Macs are better than PCs. Androids are better than iPhones. The US Government should fund a space mission to Mars. Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) should be banned. Democracy is the best form of government. All citizens who do not vote should pay a fine. The death penalty should be abolished. Sports stars should be positive role models. The right to bear arms is a necessary constitutional amendment. Grades should be abolished. Progressive tax rates are unfair. The voting age should be lowered. The driving age should be raised. Sharing music online should be allowed. Video games are too violent. History is an important subject in school. Schools should not be allowed to track students. Students should be required to pass algebra to graduate. Affirmative action should be abolished. Students should not be graded on their handwriting. Women should not get the right to vote. (Note: This provides students with historical context for the 19th amendment.) America should not give foreign aid to other countries. The government should provide wireless service for everyone. Smoking should be illegal. People should be fined for not recycling. Performance enhancing drugs should be allowed in sports. Parents should be allowed to choose their baby's gender. Animal testing should be banned. Corporations should be allowed to donate money to political campaigns. Drone attacks against specific targets are a necessary part of modern warfare. US representatives and senators should have term limits. All students should take an online course. Social media comments should be protected by free speech. A border fence should be constructed between US and Mexico. Same sex marriage should be legal. Intelligent design should be taught in science classes. uestions for Debate and Persuasive Writing Is Cheating Getting Worse? If Football Is So Dangerous to Players, Should We Be Watching It? Should the Private Lives of Famous People Be Off Limits? Do Great Leaders Have to Be Outgoing? Should Students Be Able to Grade Their Teachers? Should Middle School Students Be Drug Tested? Should the Government Limit the Size of Sugary Drinks? Should Schools Put Tracking Devices in Students’ I.D. Cards? Do You Think a Healthier School Lunch Program Is a Lost Cause? Should Athletes Who Dope Have to Forfeit Their Titles and Medals? How Much Pressure Do Boys Face to Have the Perfect Body? How, and by Whom, Should Children Be Taught Appropriate Behavior? What Current Musicians Do You Think Will Stand the Test of Time? How Concerned Are You About Climate Change? Are Digital Photographs Too Plentiful to Be Meaningful? Do You Think a Longer School Calendar Is a Good Idea? Is It Wrong for a Newspaper to Publish a Front-Page Photo of a Man About to Die? Should Engineers Pay Less for College Than English Majors? When Should You Compromise? Should You Care About the Health and Safety of Those Making Your Clothing? How Should We Prevent Future Mass Shootings? Does Reality TV Promote Dangerous Stereotypes? Did a Newspaper Act Irresponsibly by Publishing the Addresses of Gun Owners? Is Dating a Thing of the Past? Would You Feel Safer With Armed Guards Patrolling Your School? Should Women Be Allowed to Fight on the Front Lines Alongside Men? Have Curse Words Become So Common They Have Lost Their Shock Value? Is School Designed More for Girls Than Boys? What Makes a Good Commercial? Do Violent Video Games Make People More Violent in Real Life? Should All Children Be Able to Go to Preschool? Can Graffiti Ever Be Considered Art? Should Reading and Math Be Taught in Gym Class Too? Where Should Colleges and Sports Teams Draw the Line in Selling Naming Rights? How Should Children Be Taught About Puberty and Sex? Would You Rather Work From Home or in an Office? Is It O.K. for Men and Boys to Comment on Women and Girls on the Street? Should Students Be Allowed to Skip Senior Year of High School? How Many Text Messages Are Too Many? Does Buying and Accumulating More and More Stuff Make Us Happier? Do ‘Shame and Blame’ Work to Change Teenage Behavior? Do You Think Life Exists — or Has Ever Existed — Somewhere Besides Earth? Should Computer Games Be Used for Classroom Instruction? What Should We Do to Fight Sexual Violence Against Young Women? Do You Think Child Stars Have It Rough? How Important Do You Think It Is to Marry Someone With the Same Religion? How Would You Feel About a Computer Grading Your Essays? Should There Be Stricter Rules About How Coaches Treat Their Players? Should Colleges Fund Wellness Programs Instead of Sports? Why Aren’t There More Girls in Leadership Roles? Do Bystanders Have a Responsibility to Intervene When There is Trouble? When Should You Be Able to Buy Cigarettes, Drink Alcohol, Vote, Drive and Fight in Wars? How Big a Deal Is It That an N.B.A. Player Came Out as Gay? How Do You Feel About Rihanna and Chris Brown Getting Back Together? Is Prom Worth It? Should Birth Control Pills Be Available to Teenage Girls Without a Prescription? Do People Complain Too Much? Would You Want a Pair of Google’s Computer Glasses? Should What You Say on Facebook Be Grounds for Getting Fired? Should Children Be Allowed to Wear Whatever They Want? Should Marijuana Be Legal? What Role Will Robots Play in Our Future? Is Drinking and Driving Still a Problem for Teenagers? Why Did a Cheerios Ad Attract So Many Angry Comments Online? Would You Want a Bike Share Program for Your Community? What Do You Think of Grouping Students by Ability in Schools? Questions for Creative, Personal or Reflective Writing How Would the Presidential Campaigns Change if the Voting Age Were 13? What Are You Looking Forward To, or Dreading, This School Year? How Competitive Are You? What Music Inspires You? When Have You Ever Succeeded When You Thought You Might Fail? What ‘Back-to-the-Land’ Skills Do You Have, or Wish You Had? Would You Ever Go Through Hazing to Be Part of a Group? Is Trying Too Hard to Be Happy Making You Sad? What Are Your Sleep Habits? What Experiences Have You Had With Gender Bias in School? How Did You Start Doing Something You Love? To What Company Would You Write a Letter of Complaint or Admiration? Watching the First Presidential Debate: What Is Your Reaction? What Words or Phrases Do You Think Are Overused? Are You Less Religious Than Your Parents? Do You Perform Better When You’re Competing or When You’re Collaborating? The Second Presidential Debate: Your Predictions and Reactions Do You Ever ‘Mix It Up’ and Socialize With Different People at School? What Are the Most Memorable Meals You’ve Ever Had? What Magazines Do You Read, and How Do You Read Them? Have You Ever Changed a Family Member’s Mind? What Are Your Reactions to the Final Presidential Debate and Predictions for Nov. 6? What Are the Best Souvenirs You’ve Ever Collected While Traveling? Do You Like Scary Movies and Books? What Are Your Experiences With Severe Weather? Has Anyone Ever Said That You Look Like Someone Famous? How Do You Help? Are You Distracted by Technology? When Have You Spoken Out About Something You Felt Had to Change? Who Do You Hope Wins the Election? What Is Your Reaction to the Results of the Election? Is Your Bedroom a Nightmare? Who Are the ‘Characters’ That Make Your Town Interesting? How Would Your Life Be Different If You Had Better Listening Skills? How Often Do You Cry? With Your Home in Danger, What Would You Try to Save? How Careful Are You Online? Have You Ever Been Scammed? Do You Sometimes ‘Hide’ Behind Irony? What Would You Invent to Make the World a Better Place? How Well Do You Get Along With Your Siblings? How Much Can People Change? What’s Your Karaoke Song? How Do You Make Parenting Difficult for Your Parents? Have You Ever Been in Love? When Have You Seen Yourself and Your Life Reflected in a Book or Other Media? What Are Your Tips for Enjoying the Holiday Season? How Stressed Are You? The Newtown School Shootings: A Place to Post Your Thoughts What Will You Remember Most From 2012? How Will You Spend the Holiday Break? What Are Your Hopes for 2013? When Has a Teacher Inspired You? What Will People Wear at Costume Parties Celebrating the 2000s? How Often Do You Leave Your ‘Comfort Zone’? Do Adults Who Are ‘Only Trying to Help’ Sometimes Make Things Worse? What Were the Best Movies You Saw in 2012? Does Facebook Ever Make You Feel Bad? What Have Your Parents Taught You About Money? If You Could Go Anywhere, Where Would You Want to Travel? Would You Want to Grow Up in the Public Eye? What Do You Do When You Encounter Obstacles to Success? Was There a Toy You Wanted as a Child But Never Got? How Do You Fight the Winter Blues? What Tech Tools Play the Biggest Role in Your Life? How Well Do You Know Your Pet? Does Being a Fan Help Define Who You Are? What’s the Most Memorable Thing You Ever Got in the Mail? What Food Would You Like to Judge in a Taste-Off? Does Your Life Leave You Enough Time to Relax? What Are Your Predictions for and Reactions to the State of the Union Address? Read Any Good Books Lately? Have You Ever Found Something Valuable? What Investment Are You Willing to Make to Get Your Dream Job? What Would You Wait in Line For? What Are Your Favorite Viral Videos? How Good is Your Grammar? What’s the Most Impressive Sports Moment You’ve Seen? Have You Ever Taken Something You Weren’t Supposed To? What Was Your Most Precious Childhood Possession? How Much Do You Know About Your Family’s History? Do You Ever Feel Guilty About What, or How Much, You Throw Away? What Makes You Happy? What Would Your Fantasy Spring Break Be Like? What Are Your Sources for Information About Colleges and Universities? What’s the Coolest Thing You’ve Ever Seen in Nature? How Does Your School Deal With Students Who Misbehave? Do You Ever Seek Advice on the Internet? What Would Your Ideal Summer Camp Be Like? What Have Been Your Reactions This Week to News About the Boston Marathon Bombings? Would You Ever Consider Getting a Tattoo? What Six People, Living or Dead, Would You Invite to Dinner? What Would You Teach the World in an Online Video? What Were Your Favorite Picture Books When You Were Little? Have You Ever Felt Embarrassed by Things You Used to Like? How Do You React When Provoked? What Kind of ‘Little Free Library’ Would You Create for Your Community? Do You Have Helicopter Parents? When Has a Sports Team Most Disappointed You? How Important Is Driving to You? What Would Your Dream Home Be Like? Do You Wish You Could Return to Moments From Your Past? How Much Slang Do You Use? What Are Your Favorite (Printable) Words? Do You Plan on Saving Any of Your Belongings for the Future? What Old Television Shows Would You Bring Back? How Careful Are You in the Sun? Do You Enjoy Reading Tabloid Gossip? What Are Your Favorite Names? What’s on Your Summer Reading List? What Are You Listening To? How Do You React to Strangers Having Private Conversations in Public? What Are the Most Important Innovations of the Last 50 Years? Have You Ever Stumbled Upon a Cool Public Performance?

Monday, January 13, 2014

P.O. BOX 304 TEMA MOBILE: 0265-171483 0271-806081 EMAIL : shu4pearl@yahoo.com CURRICULUM VITAE VIDA PEARL ATAKPA -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- PURPOSE: It is my determined purpose to be the best I can be in all that I do. To be knowledgeable and well informed in my chosen career. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- PERSONAL PROFILE:  I am a result oriented individual who has excellent interpersonal and communication skills.  I have the ability to analyze and demonstrate problem solving skills.  I seek a challenging engagement, which will offer me the opportunity to utilize my strength.  I am an active listener with analytical thinking skills.  I am versatile and thrive best in a working environment that encourages initiative.  I believe in teamwork, hence a team player.  I am reliable and dependable in meeting objectives – honest fast learner, analytical and questioning. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- CAREER OBJECTIVES:  To have a challenging career in a dynamic, strategic and successful organization where my extensive selfless leadership experience, sharp skills and talents can be efficiently utilized to ensure the attainment of objectives, visions and goals.  To handle peoples complaints and concerns by establishing fair, accurate and comprehensive reportage.  To be a credible Communication Analyst of repute with the ability to tell a gripping story and also to champion the course of Children and Women in society. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- EDUCATION: INSTITUTIONS YEAR POSITIONS HELD Jayee University Col. 2006-09 Treasurer/Electoral Commissioner Ho Polytechnic 2002-04 Class Secretary --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- JOB HISTORY: INSTITUTIONS YEAR POSITIONS HELD Innovative Channels 2009-11 Editor / Media Rel. Officer Graphic Comm. Group 2008-09 News Reporter Information Services Dept. 2007 News Reporter Ghana News Agency 2006-08 News Reporter Afko Imex Limited 2005-06 Executive Sec. / Logistics Executive Afko Fisheries Company 2004-05 Administrative Sec. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SKILLS GAINED:  I served as the initial point of contact to customers and potential customers.  Leadership and Management Skills – I organized both internal and external meetings  Served as a liaison between warehouse and sales representatives.  I organized programmes for corporate entities.  Ability to raise high media and human standards  Ability to establish rapport for corporate organizations.  Ability of creating enabling environment for others to air their opinions  As part of imparting students with public speaking skills, I organized debates and quiz competitions in schools.  I also organized awards programmes for first cycle schools in various regions.  I liaised as the Public Relations Officer for Vanguard Assurance. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- PERSONAL DATA: Date of Birth: 4th August 1986 Nationality: Ghanaian --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES: I have the ability to work under little or no supervision. I am confident, competent, efficient team player and committed to duty. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- COMPUTER LITERACY: MS – Word MS – Excel Coral Draw Publisher (Graphic / Page Design) Power Point Internet / Email Literacy --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- EXTRA-CURRICULA ACTIVITIES Reading, writing, travelling, interacting with people. I also take the interest in surfing the internet which has prompted the decision that I would like to obtain further qualifications. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- REFERENCES: Mr. Kingsley Inkoom Graphic Comm. Group Ltd Accra. 0243-257876 Mrs. Evelyn Akpah Afko Fisheries Comp. Tema 0244-206458 Mr. John Emmanuel Donkor President, Jayee University College Accra. 0208-178263 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------