Use this activity to engage all types of learners, while requiring that they refer to and incorporate details from the text over the course of the activity.

“Debate”

In this activity, students debate whether or not Coach ultimately had Finley’s best interests at heart.

At the beginning of the novel, Finley obeys Coach’s request to befriend Russ, based on the assumption that Coach has Finley’s best interests at heart. However, as the novel progresses, Finley slowly begins to question Coach’s motivation for asking Finley to support Russ. Ultimately, Finley wonders if Coach is focused more on his development as a basketball player or the desire to keep the Bellmont High School’s basketball team on a winning streak with Russ’s talents.

For this activity, you will argue for or against the following question: Does Coach have Finley’s best interests at heart? Is his motivation supportive or exploitative? 

• Working with your team, structure your argument so that each team member has at least one position or point to support.
• Select an order of presentation, with an opening statement, arguments and possible rebuttals, and finally a closing statement.
• Consider researching formal debate guidelines if this activity is new to your class.
• Hold the debate. Take notes on the opposing side’s points and views.