Lesson one: a discussion

1.1. A discussion , e.g. "co-education / single-sex schools", "cats versus dogs" or "the death penalty."

1.2. Preferably sitting in a ring without desks, first collect on one half of the blackboard all the ideas

or arguments that speak for it, then, on the other half, all the arguments against it. Encourage

"serious" and "non-serious" arguments. Nothing is "wrong" or "irrelevant". Anything goes.

1.3. Formulate a MOTION ("This House Believes...") e.g."THB in co-education" or "TH prefers cats to dogs." Each student must come down on one side or the other.

1.4. Still in a ring of chairs in front of the tables. Each stands up and gives his/her opinion in at least one sentence, no matter how short, and each finishes by saying:

"I SUPPORT the motion" or "I OPPOSE the motion"  OR:: " This motion MUST STAND or FALL"

1.5. Vote by acclamation; read the motion again, then say,

"All those in favour say 'AYE!''' (...). All those against say 'NO!'" (...) 

If desired, the vote can be repeated "by show of hands":

     "All in favour raise your hands" (...) "Those against the motion raise your hands"   (...)

1.6. The result is declared: "The Ayes / Noes have it."