Battle of the Debaters, 2009Mixed media Can we agree to disagree? The theme for this project developed as students debated possible book topic choices. They realized that the debate method provided a model for presenting the positive as well as the negative side of an issue in book format. The book takes the form of a box that opens to reveal a stage with the affirmative and negative viewpoints placed in opposition. Pairs of students chose a personally meaningful topic and then worked together to create both pro and con facing pages. They produced linoleum block prints to illustrate the issue and wrote sentences supporting each message in a frame around the picture. It’s easy to argue in support of something you are passionate about; but how would you debate in support of something you do not believe in? Gertrude K. Edelman Sabal Palm ElementaryFifth gradeArt teacher: Gonzalo BattagliaClassroom teacher: Karina OcampoPrincipal: Susan Renick-BlountArtists and authors: Maliki Adeyemi, Jose Alvarez, Amall Awad, Brittney Bouzy, Gabriella Fernand, Dwayne Frazier, Zidane Gallimore, Samiha Hassan, Tameka Hodges, Mohammad Jean, Jamie Jean-Louis, Bianca Jeanphilippe, Mardochee Lamarre, Richard Louissaint, Nicholas Mahabeer, Sabrina Marcellus, Steven Morrison, Kadeem Myrick, Tanisha Peters, Diane Petit-Bois, Virginia Rodriguez, Phillip Rouchon, Baidong Ruan, Grismary Ruda, Jithu Sunny, and Alexis Whitehead. Special thanks to teacher Mariolga Lebredo