Debate Circle : Should Disney Stop Making Princess Movies?
Organize and lead a debate circle on whether Disney should stop making princess movies; research arguments, practice respectful speaking, and hold a class vote.
Step-by-step guide to organize and lead a debate circle on whether Disney should stop making princess movies
7 Canceled Disney Princesses We'll Never Get to See
Step 1
Choose a day and time for your debate and decide how long the whole event will last.
Step 2
Tell classmates or family the topic "Should Disney stop making princess movies?" and invite them to join.
Step 3
Divide the participants into two teams: one "Stop" team and one "Keep" team.
Step 4
Ask one person to be the moderator and one person to be the timekeeper.
Step 5
Set a 20 minute timer and spend that time researching reasons for and against the topic.
Step 6
Have each team write three short main points and one example to support their side on a sheet of paper.
Step 7
Write five respectful speaking rules and the time limits on a sticky note and read them aloud to everyone.
Step 8
Arrange chairs in a circle and put the timer and voting slips in the middle of the circle.
Step 9
Let each speaker practice a one-minute opening speech using their notes one at a time.
Step 10
Start the debate with the moderator calling each speaker to give opening statements then rebuttals and closing remarks while the timekeeper watches the timer.
Step 11
Ask everyone to place a secret vote on a small slip of paper into the hat or bowl for the team they think won.
Step 12
Count the votes out loud and announce which side won the class vote.
Step 13
Write a short summary or take a photo of your debate highlights to share your finished creation on DIY.org.
Final steps
You're almost there! Complete all the steps, bring your creation to life, post it, and conquer the challenge!
Help!?
What can we use if we don't have sticky notes, voting slips, a hat or a timer available?
If you don't have sticky notes, voting slips, a hat/bowl, or a separate timer, write the five speaking rules on a regular sheet of paper, tear small pieces of lined paper for secret votes and fold them into a cup or lunchbox, and use a phone or kitchen timer placed in the middle of the circle as the 20-minute timer.
What should we do if teams run out of time during the 20-minute research step or speakers keep interrupting during rebuttals?
If teams run out of research time or interruptions happen, have the moderator pause the 20-minute timer for a five-minute focused research extension and remind everyone of the one-minute opening speech and the five respectful speaking rules written on the sticky note before resuming.
How can we adapt the debate for younger children or older students?
For younger children shorten the research to 10 minutes, reduce opening speeches to 30 seconds and use yes/no voting slips, while for older students extend research to 30 minutes, require each team to write three main points with at least one cited example, and add a formal rebuttal round led by the moderator.
How can we extend or personalize the Debate Circle to make it more engaging or educational?
Enhance the activity by creating a simple judging rubric on a sheet of paper to score arguments instead of only voting, encourage participants to wear character cards or small props during opening speeches, and save the photo or short written summary to upload to DIY.org as your finished creation.
Watch videos on how to organize and lead a debate circle on whether Disney should stop making princess movies
Defending Every Disney Princess (Except Tiana)
3 Videos
Defending Every Disney Princess (Except Tiana)
5 Times Disney Improved an Iconic Princess Look & 5 Times They Should've Left it in Animation
All 13 Disney Princesses Explained (And Why Elsa Isn't One)
Facts about debate and public speaking for kids
🏰 Disney's first full-length animated feature was Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937), which introduced the studio's earliest princess storytelling.
👸 There are about 12 characters commonly included in the official Disney Princess lineup, a mix of classic and newer heroines.
🎬 In the 2010s–2020s Disney reimagined several animated princess stories as live-action films, sparking fresh conversations about portrayal and updates.
🗳️ Debates about princess movies often focus on representation, character agency, and cultural accuracy—perfect topics for research and respectful discussion.
📚 Studies show children pick up ideas about gender and relationships from media, so talking about movies can help kids think critically about what they watch.
