Speech & Debate

About Level Up Educational Academy Speech & Debate

Thanks so much for your interest in Level Up Speech & Debate!

Our team is organized and directed by homeschooling moms with many varied talents and abilities.
Our goal is to educate the next generation of leaders in the necessary skill of public speaking. Doing this requires input and cooperation from all involved.
When you join us, you are committing your time and talents to the unified goal of diligently training children to be “salt and light” to the world.

WHEN: Wednesdays from 1:30 to 3 PM
- Team Policy begins meeting during the summer
WHERE: Spirit of Joy Lutheran Church
- 8600 Potter Rd. Weddington, NC 28104
REGISTRATION FEES:
- $50 per family or
- $25 for Level Up Educational Academy members
CLASS FEES:
- Check back soon for updates

Parental Participation In Class

Because we are a Speech & Debate cooperative, we require parental participation and availability.
- Included in the registration packet is a list of job options that facilitate the functioning of our Co-Op.
- We will make every effort to assign each person’s first choice, but in some cases this might not be possible.
It is an absolute necessity that a parent from each family is present in the building during meetings.
- This is because adults are often called upon for impromptu classroom assistance.
- It is strongly encouraged that a parent accompanies her children in the classroom. Learning good speaking skills can be challenging for most kids. Children tend to achieve a higher level when a parent works with them regularly outside of class.

Parental Participation In Tournaments

There are five Speech and Debate tournaments held throughout the school year beginning in December.
- Student participation in them is strongly encouraged, but only our local hosted tournaments are mandatory.
Parents of competing students will be required to assist during all tournaments.
- When registering for a tournament, every family is required to supply a parent judge.
- Novice judges will receive training on site during the tournament and will be required to judge one or more rounds of speech or debate.

JUNIORS 5-8 yrs. (Age by October 1st)
- Studies show that young children who make a practice of public oration are less likely to have an aversion to speaking as adults. Level Up Educational Academy Speech and Debate Juniors class works with parents to help children 5-9 years to feel comfortable in front of an audience. Through games, fun activities, scripture and poetry memorization, young children develop speaking confidence in an encouraging environment.
- Homework expectancy: 5-10 min. a day

JUNIOR VARSITY 9-12 yrs. (Age by October 1st)
- Upper elementary students are able to compose original speeches, interpret great works of literature, and begin to learn the art of impromptu. JV teachers work with parents to help their kids prepare speeches and hone their skills in extemporaneous speaking. This is accomplished through training, activities, games, and at home practice throughout the week.
- Homework expectancy: 1-2 hrs. weekly

VARSITY 12-18 yrs. (Age by October 1st)
- Students learn to defend their faith through a focus on apologetics. They will also be guided in the composition and presentation of a variety of speeches including persuasive, expository, advocacy, and biographical. Interpretive speeches may be of a humorous or dramatic nature as a single speaker or as a duo.
- Homework expectancy: 2-3 hrs. weekly

PUBLIC FORUM DEBATE 12-13 yrs. (Age by October 1st)
- Middle school students engage in a form of debate in which debaters argue a topic relevant to their age group. Public forum debate is conducted by teams of two people alternating speeches for their side, either affirming or negating their topic. They learn logical, persuasive argumentation while developing research skills, note-taking, and team building.
- Due to the team aspect of this class, personal commitment to homework, class and tournament attendance is crucial.
- Homework expectancy: 4-5 hrs. weekly

LINCOLN DOUGLAS DEBATE 12-18 yrs. (Age by October 1st)
- Lincoln Douglas is value debate for one student. A Lincoln Douglas debate examines competing value systems to answer big questions. The purpose of Lincoln Douglas value debate is to instill in Christian home school students the skills of presentation, critical thinking, research, and value analysis. That endeavor is accomplished in an environment of honorable competition that cultivates maturity, wisdom, grace, poise, and brings glory to our Lord Jesus Christ.
- Homework expectancy: 4-5 hrs. weekly

TEAM POLICY DEBATE 12-18 yrs. (Age by October 1st)
- Team Policy Debate is a form of debate competition in which teams of two students advocate for and against a resolution that typically calls for policy change by the United States federal government. It involves a 3-minute questioning period following each constructive speech. Affirmative teams generally present a plan as a proposal for implementation of the resolution. The negative team attempts to negate that plan. Participants learn government, legislation, research skills, critical thinking, note-taking, composition, vocabulary, public oratory, and diplomacy.
- Team Policy Debate requires serious commitment from the students as well as from the parents. Students are expected to attend class on a weekly or bi-weekly basis, carry their fair share of the load in research and the planning of speeches, and participate in the tournaments which are often out of town or out of state.
- Homework expectancy: 8-10 hrs. weekly