Should the Voting Age Be Lowered? A Debate Prep Packet
A 3rd-grade debate prep packet that introduces the question of whether the voting age should drop from 18 to 16, using a short reading about fifth graders who held their own class debate. Students build reading comprehension and civics vocabulary while organizing reasons and rebuttals on an evidence chart and graphic organizer, making it a good fit for a 30 to 45 minute block or small-group work.
“Should the voting age be lowered debate worksheet with evidence chart and graphic organizer”
Teacher Guide & Tips
- Use this as an introduction to argument and civics before a whole-class debate, reading the text aloud first and reviewing the Words to Know terms (debate, civics, rebuttal) together.
- Discussion question: Why do you think some people want 16-year-olds to vote, and why do others think 18 is the right age?
- Scaffold for struggling readers by pairing them with a partner for the reading, and have them fill in the evidence chart with one reason per side, using sentence starters like "I think ___ because ___."
- Extension for advanced students: ask them to write a rebuttal that responds to the strongest point on the opposing side, using at least one example from the text.
- Estimated time: about 10 minutes for the reading, 15 to 20 minutes for the graphic organizer, and 10 minutes for sharing.
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Teacher Guide & Tips
- Use this as an introduction to argument and civics before a whole-class debate, reading the text aloud first and reviewing the Words to Know terms (debate, civics, rebuttal) together.
- Discussion question: Why do you think some people want 16-year-olds to vote, and why do others think 18 is the right age?
- Scaffold for struggling readers by pairing them with a partner for the reading, and have them fill in the evidence chart with one reason per side, using sentence starters like "I think ___ because ___."
- Extension for advanced students: ask them to write a rebuttal that responds to the strongest point on the opposing side, using at least one example from the text.
- Estimated time: about 10 minutes for the reading, 15 to 20 minutes for the graphic organizer, and 10 minutes for sharing.
Should the Voting Age Be Lowered? A Debate Prep Packet
A 3rd-grade debate prep packet that introduces the question of whether the voting age should drop from 18 to 16, using a short reading about fifth graders who held their own class debate. Students build reading comprehension and civics vocabulary while organizing reasons and rebuttals on an evidence chart and graphic organizer, making it a good fit for a 30 to 45 minute block or small-group work.
What is Diffit?
Teachers use Diffit to get quality materials for their unique classrooms. Adjust difficulty, add scaffolds, or change the topic to get started.
Try Diffit for free