Shauna Brown

Alternative Assessment
EDUC 450

Organic vs. Conventional

Class Debate
100 Points
Objective: The goal of this class debate is to apply the knowledge of convention and organic
farming and the practices used in each we have covered this unit.
Colorado Standards covered in this assignment include:

FPPS.02.03.a-Define and Describe Organic, Natural, Conventional, GMOs

PLSC.02.04.b-Identify and explain the standards used by the USDA to certify
organic food
PLSC.02.04.c-Analyze how organic food production can be a niche market in
agriculture
PLSC.02.04.d-Analyze the advantages and disadvantages of organic production

Directions: Now that we have learned about conventional and organic farming practices it is time
to put your knowledge to the test. We will draw from a hat which side of the debate you will be
on, conventional farming or organic farming. It is your responsibility to work as a team to create
a strong argument about your farming method, but be knowledgeable about the opposing side in
order to have strong rebuttals. Below I have listed the steps you will take as a group in order to
be successful in this debate as well as their due dates. Although each of the steps in the debate
process will not count as individual grades, for each day they are turned in late 10% of your final
score will be deducted.
Step 1: Gather Data- this can be from notes and activities we have done in class or from other
outside sources. You must have at least 6 sources cited and 3 sentences from each source
summarizing the point made.
Due-10/30
Step 2: Outline Points- from gathered sources, create an outline of your opening, 3 main points
to be used in your debate, 4 facts that support each main point, and a closing.
Due-11/4
Step 3: Practice- we will use class time to perfect our debates, working with our team and
assigning a part of the debate to each team member. One member will present the opening-this
should be a way to draw in your crowd, should be engaging, and should clearly show your stand

on the topic. Each point will be presented by a different member on the team. The member
presenting the point should know the main point and the supporting facts. The final member will
present the closing- the closing should be a summary of your main points and your stand on the
topic.
In class, 10/6
Step 4: Final Debate- this is the time you bring it all together! You will work as a team to
present all of your points. In between the presentation of your points, the opposing team has a
chance to rebuttal. Rebuttals will be timed and limited to 1 minute. At the time of the rebuttal,
any member of the team is able to speak. The opposing teams will alternate between the
presentations of their three main points.
In class, 10/9

Debate Format:
1. Organic Farming Opening
2. Conventional Farming Opening
3. Organic 1st Main Point
4. Rebutal-1 minute
5. Conventional 1st Main Point
6. Rebuttal-1 minute
7. Organic 2nd Main Point
8. Rebuttal-1 minute
9. Conventional 2nd Main Point
10. Rebuttal- 1 minute
11. Organic 3rd Main Point
12. Rebuttal
13. Conventional 3rd Main Point
14. Rebuttal-1 minute
15. Organic Closing
16. Conventional Closing
Above all I am looking for you to present well thought out, factual debates in a RESPECTFUL
manner. This should be a fun and exciting way to test your knowledge.
Happy debating!!

Grading Rubric-Organic vs. Conventional Class Debate

Total Points: 100 Points

Student Name:

________________________________________

Advanced

Proficient

Basic

Content
40 pts

(40-36)
All information
presented in the
debate was clear,
accurate and
thorough.

(35-31)
Most information
presented in the
debate was clear,
accurate but not
usually thorough.

(30-26)
Information had
several
inaccuracies OR
was usually not
clear.

Use of
Facts/Statistics
25 pts

(25-23)
Every major point
was well
supported with
several relevant
facts, statistics
and/or examples.

(22-20)
(19-17)
Every major point Few points were
was supported
supported.
with facts,
statistics and/or
examples, but the
relevance of some
was questionable.

Rebuttal
15 pts

(15-12)
All counterarguments were
accurate, relevant
and strong.

(11-9)
Most counterarguments were
accurate and
relevant, but
several were weak.

(8-6)
Counterarguments were
not accurate
and/or relevant.

Organization
10 pts

(10-9)
All arguments
were clearly tied
to an idea and
organized in a
tight, logical
fashion.

(8-7)
All arguments
were clearly tied to
an idea but the
organization was
sometimes not
clear or logical.

(6-5)
Arguments were
not clearly tied to
an idea.

Presentation Style
10 pts

(10-9)
Team consistently
used gestures, eye
contact, tone of
voice and a level
of enthusiasm in a
way that kept the
attention of the
audience.

(8-7)
Team sometimes
used gestures, eye
contact, tone of
voice and a level
of enthusiasm in a
way that kept the
attention of the
audience.

(6-5)
One or more
members of the
team had a
presentation style
that did not keep
the attention of the
audience.

Total Points

Points