Debate Circle : Should Disney Stop Making Princess Movies?

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Organize and lead a debate circle on whether Disney should stop making princess movies; research arguments, practice respectful speaking, and hold a class vote.

Table of contents

Step-by-step guide to organize and lead a debate circle on whether Disney should stop making princess movies

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7 Canceled Disney Princesses We'll Never Get to See

What you need

Paper, pencil, sticky notes, timer or clock, small pieces of paper for voting slips, hat or bowl for votes, adult supervision required

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.

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

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Here at SafeTube, we're on a mission to create a safer and more delightful internet. 😊

Defending Every Disney Princess (Except Tiana)

3 Videos

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.

How do I organize and run a Debate Circle on 'Should Disney stop making princess movies'?

To run the Debate Circle, pick the question and split students into 'for' and 'against' teams. Ask each team to research facts and opinions, then set simple rules (time limits, no interruptions). Teach respectful speaking and let each child give an opening statement, rebuttal, and closing. Use a timer and roles (moderator, timekeeper, note-taker). Finish with a class vote and a short debrief about what everyone learned and how opinions changed.

What materials do I need to lead a Debate Circle about Disney princess movies?

You'll need research materials (books, articles, or supervised internet access), paper and pencils for notes, a timer or stopwatch, a whiteboard or chart paper, printed fact cards or index cards, name tags, and simple ballots for voting. Optional: props for fun, printed rules, and a rubric to score respectful speaking. If online, use a video call platform with breakout rooms and a shared doc for notes.

What ages is a Debate Circle about Disney princess movies suitable for?

This debate is best for children aged about 8–14. Ages 8–11 can research with guidance, practice short speeches, and learn debate rules. Ages 12–14 can handle deeper research, longer rebuttals, and lead teams independently. For younger kids (5–7), try a simplified discussion with one-minute speaking turns and choices instead of formal arguments. Always adapt complexity and adult supervision to the group's reading and emotional maturity.

What are the benefits of doing a Debate Circle on whether Disney should stop making princess movies?

Leading this debate builds critical thinking, media literacy, and public speaking skills while encouraging respectful listening and empathy. Children learn to research evidence, distinguish facts from opinions, and form clear arguments. The class vote and debrief promote democratic thinking and confidence. Moderation teaches conflict resolution and sets boundaries for respectful disagreement. These skills transfer to schoolwork, social situations, and civic participation.

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All Activities

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.

Table of contents

Step-by-step guide to organize and lead a debate circle on whether Disney should stop making princess movies

0:00/0:00

Here at SafeTube, we're on a mission to create a safer and more delightful internet. 😊

7 Canceled Disney Princesses We'll Never Get to See

What you need

Paper, pencil, sticky notes, timer or clock, small pieces of paper for voting slips, hat or bowl for votes, adult supervision required

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.

Help!?

What can we use if we don't have sticky notes, voting slips, a hat or a timer available?

What should we do if teams run out of time during the 20-minute research step or speakers keep interrupting during rebuttals?

How can we adapt the debate for younger children or older students?

How can we extend or personalize the Debate Circle to make it more engaging or educational?

Watch videos on how to organize and lead a debate circle on whether Disney should stop making princess movies

0:00/0:00

Here at SafeTube, we're on a mission to create a safer and more delightful internet. 😊

Defending Every Disney Princess (Except Tiana)

3 Videos

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.