The Benefits of Being an Octopus

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.

“Book Debate”

In this activity, students conduct a debate using topics from The Benefits of Being an Octopus.

In the novel, Ms. Rochambeau and her debate class are pivotal in building confidence in Zoey and her ability to overcome her circumstances. Design your own debate to address topics about the novel. Collect evidence from the text to support the discussion and consider selecting one of the questions below to build it.

• Who is the most influential character in the novel?
• What conflict is most significant?
• What is the most important issue the novel addresses?
• What is the most significant takeaway?
• Which character experiences the most growth?
• What is the greatest injustice in the novel?
• What is the biggest catalyst for change?

After debating your chosen topic with a partner or with the group, reflect on the experience. What valid ideas did your opponent convey? Did their points work to sway your opinion? Write a journal-style entry in which you summarize your individual debate experience and analyze its impact on you as a reader.

Teaching Suggestion: Depending on the group’s familiarity with debating, you might assign partners or have students select a partner to debate against; they might also

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