The debate topic picker holds eighteen motions written for upper elementary, middle, and high school students. Each one is something kids already have opinions about, so they can start arguing without a research packet. Spin it at the start of class, read the motion aloud, and assign sides. It takes the stalling out of choosing a topic.
Teachers use it for formal debates, speaking practice, persuasive writing warm-ups, and four corners activities. Because the wheel picks the topic, nobody can claim the teacher chose an easy side for a favorite group. Swap in motions tied to your current unit and the same wheel works for history, science, or literature.
Running a quick classroom debate
Spin once for the motion, then use a coin flip or a second spin to decide which team argues for and which argues against. Give each side five minutes to plan three reasons.
- Opening statement: one minute per side
- Rebuttal: one minute per side
- Closing: 30 seconds per side
- Class vote on which side argued better, not which side they agree with
Make students argue the side they disagree with
The best practice comes from defending a view you do not hold. After the spin, ask students to stand on the side they actually believe, then switch them. It builds empathy and forces them to find real reasons instead of repeating gut feelings. Remind the class that the topic is a practice motion and nobody is judged for the side they were handed.
Adapting topics to your class
Edit the list in the entries box to match your grade level or unit. For younger kids, keep motions concrete, like recess or pets. For older students, add questions linked to a novel or a science topic you just covered. Use remove-winner across a unit so every motion gets debated once. Save the wheel so you can reuse it next term.
Frequently asked questions
What age are these debate topics for?
The default list fits roughly ages 9 to 16. Topics are about school, food, pets, technology, and daily life, so students can argue them from personal experience. Remove any you feel are too simple or too heavy for your group.
How do I pick which side each team argues?
After the topic spin, flip a coin or spin a second wheel with For and Against. Picking sides at random keeps things fair and pushes students to argue positions they did not choose themselves.
Can I use it for persuasive writing instead?
Yes. Spin a motion and have each student write a persuasive paragraph for one side. It works well as a bell ringer, and the wheel gives everyone the same prompt so you can compare arguments.
Can I share my topic list with another teacher?
Create a share link from the wheel. The full list travels inside the URL, so your colleague opens the same topics in their browser without signing up or downloading anything.