Year 6 - English
Motions that matter
Debating important topics
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This pupil-friendly study guide includes a unit summary, clear notes, common mistakes, and quick questions with answers.
Unit Summary
In this unit, pupils recap on the features of a debate and use the PEPs structure to deliver a speech. They learn what makes an effective debate motion and design their own. Pupils then prepare for and participate in a full debate, scoring their performances and reflecting on their speech delivery.
Lesson Summary
You will learn to design your own motion to debate an important topic.
Key Notes
- The motion is the name for the belief or proposal that is being debated.
- The motion in a debate always starts with the words 'This house ...'.
- There are different types of motion: beliefs ('This house believes that ...') and proposals ('This house would ...').
- A debate motion is most effective when it is relevant to the lives of the people in the debate and the audience.
- An effective debate motion will encourage critical thinking and mature discussion.
Vocabulary To Learn
- motion: the name for the belief or proposal that is being debated
- proposal: the action of proposing a plan or suggestion
- belief: a firmly held opinion about something
Common Mistakes To Avoid
- Pupils may find it challenging to come up with suitable motions.
3 Quick Questions (With Answers)
1. Explain this English learning goal in two key points.
The motion is the name for the belief or proposal that is being debated. The motion in a debate always starts with the words 'This house ...'.
2. Define this language term and use it in a sentence. 'motion'
the name for the belief or proposal that is being debated.
3. Correct this common English misunderstanding.
Mistake: Pupils may find it challenging to come up with suitable motions. Correction: Pupils could work in small groups for this task. As a class, come up with some ideas of what you might change or discuss related to the different aspects and have these visible for children when coming up with their motions.
More Lessons In This Unit
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