Description
This Smash, Boom, Best podcast study is best to use after introducing your students to argumentative text structure, helping them master the author’s claim, evidence, and reasoning before tackling complex passages or their own argument.
► What’s Included:
✅ Listening Booklet
✅ Single-Page Recording Sheet (two versions, scaffolded questioning)
✅ Google Slides Version
✅ Editable Version
► Here’s the Smash Boom scoop: Smash, Boom, Best is an engaging debate podcast series in which two cool things are smashed together and debated. Episodes range from 20-30 minutes, and opponents go head-to-head. Each side clearly presents a claim and supports it with reasoning and evidence, allowing students to practice tracing and evaluating arguments in an engaging, low-pressure way.
► How do you use it in your argumentative unit?
The paired listening sheets require students to stop and jot key elements of each debater’s argument:
✔ Main Claim
✔ Reasons
✔ Supporting Evidence
Once both sides present their arguments, students determine a winner and reflect on the strength of reasoning and evidence.
This lesson bridges the gap between teaching claim, evidence, and reasoning and practicing argumentative writing skills.
TEACHERS LIKE YOU SAID…
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Miss Fela said, “I had never heard of this podcast, but I absolutely LOVED this resource! We listened to dogs vs. cats, mainly because it was the shortest one I could find that would be interesting to my students. I look forward to using it more when we make it to our argumentative unit.”
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Larissa said, “This was an amazing resource. I used it to analyze the podcast (we did the pizza vs tacos episode), and then as we went, we spoke about how our opinions changed. Then I added a debate project where students emulated the podcast, picking an item or idea that meant a lot to them and presented why it was better than their partners. This covered my media literacy, oral communication, writing, and a bunch of learning skills for their report card. It was PERFECT. Thank you.”
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ On the Hunt said, “A great resource for pairing with Smash Boom Best. Love it!”
Supports Common Core Standards (CCSS):
RI.5.1, RI.5.8
RI.6.1, RI.6.8
RI.7.1, RI.7.8
You might also like these argumentative mini-lessons:
- Elements of an Argument Introduction
- Tracing & Evaluating Arguments – Passages & Question Sets
- Author’s Argument Task Cards
- Argument Quick Writes
OR, ⭐️ Bundle & save for a discount ⭐️
Purchase the Elements of an Argument Bundle to get this activity plus the mini-lessons listed above!
Have a question?
Please email me at info@heynatayle.com. I’ll get back to you within 24 hours.
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Thanks so much,
Natayle Brown
Copyright © Hey Natayle.
Permission to copy for single classroom use only.
Please purchase additional licenses if you intend to share this product.
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