Are you eager to train your children in the skill of debate and public speaking? One way to accomplish that goal is to start a homeschool debate class. Once the interest has been sparked through the class, this can lead to a more formal debate club that prepares its participants to compete in local, state, and national competitions. Homeschool debate competition has been growing in popularity across the country since 1997 when Michael Farris and his daughter Christy Shipe began a debate league sponsored by HSLDA. That league has become the National Christian Forensics and Communications Association (NCFCA). Debate competition can provide excellent training in clear communication, which, in turn, can prepare our children for godly leadership roles in the future. If you desire to train your students, or a local group of students, in the skills necessary for debate competition, where do you begin?

It Takes a Parent
By Deanna Stollar

The Stollar family has published two books for people that want to coach debate students. It Takes a Parent is a 12-week course for the first time parent/coach and Coaching Policy Debate is to help with the transition from a debate class to a competitive club. Deanna Stollar, in the introduction to It Takes a Parent, reassures us that she understands the feeling of being a rookie in the debate department. "Neither my husband nor I started with any previous debate experience. The only familiarity we had was watching presidential debates on television. Yet we have helped many students qualify for Nationals over the past few seasons." This is a great place to start on the road to debate competition.

It Takes a Parent is, in actuality, a 12-week teacher's manual to Christy Shipe's book, An Introduction to Argumentation and Debate. There are resources listed in the back that will guide you in purchasing that volume. Deanna helps with the smallest of details. Class size, expenses that will be incurred, options for being recompensed, and guidelines for weekly lectures and group activities are all included. There are lists of things to be done ahead of time as well as schedules for class times.

The appendices in the back include help for advertising, visual aids for class, drama exercises, tips for weekly lectures, grading aids, student handouts, and the list of resources. One of the student handouts that I appreciate lists rules for gracious conduct during class time. For students that are new to debate, feelings of awkwardness and vulnerability can be intimidating. To know that students are required to be courteous, that demeaning comments will not be tolerated, and that offenders will be dismissed from class, helps students enjoy a positive environment for learning.

Coaching Policy Debate
By Terry, Deanna, and Ryan Stollar

Coaching Policy Debate - Transitioning From a Debate Class to a Debate Club hopes "to encourage you that coaching policy debate can be learned. You can coach without having had any previous experience. You will learn right along with your students." The book assumes that you have already read Christy Shipe's book and It Takes a Parent. It has loads more practical, specific help for parents. The 12 club meetings have agendas and scripted lectures. As parents are an essential part of a debate club, there are four parent meetings organized as well. The appendices are, once again, filled with excellent resources. Parent handouts, student handouts, coaching materials, round robin and tournament materials, and resources are all included.

To order It Takes a Parent and Coaching Policy Debate, contact the Stollars at (541) 736-9054, or e-mail them at antithesis-debate@attbi.com.

Terry, Deanna, and Ryan Stollar know the hard work, great fun, and incredible sense of accomplishment that comes from successful debate competition. They, too, had to start from the beginning and have written two books that will make it much easier for all of us. Take these road maps, find some families with a desire for a debate club, and step out with confidence. Perhaps one day you can meet the Stollars at Nationals and thank them personally.