Eighth Graders Choose Sides and Make Their Case in Critical Reasoning Class

Before reading the first page of “The Hunger Games” eighth graders in Deb Fehl’s Critical Reasoning, Analysis, and Verbal Expression (CRAVE) class were already grappling with some of the novel’s themes.

For a pre-reading activity, students considered statements including “Hunting for food is a natural way of life,” “Physical strength is important for survival,” and “It is important to trust the government; they know best.”

A line divided the classroom into “agree” and “disagree” sides. Students chose their position for each statement, then worked with their side to make their case. As arguments went back and forth across the room, students had to listen to opposing perspectives, respond directly to their classmates, and support their positions with evidence.

The exercise introduced themes students will encounter as they read ”The Hunger Games” while putting some of CRAVE’s core skills into practice. The course uses literary analysis and composition to strengthen students’ reading, writing, public speaking, and critical-thinking skills.

The class will eventually return to the same statements. After experiencing the themes through the novel, students will have an opportunity to reconsider their arguments and see whether they still want to stand on the same side of the line.