October 3, 2005

I would like to commend Ms. Cocanougher on a well conceived, relevant curriculum for beginning Lincoln-Douglas Debate students. As a new coach/instructor in a new small Florida High School, Ms Cocanougher’s book and accompanying teacher handbook have proved invaluable. I was able to effect a course with very few additional instructional resources other than Ms. Cocanougher’s materials. Her course covers everything from student textbooks to activities, discussion, written reports and tests. She even includes a gradebook with all the formulas for percentages included!! Two of my students, who had never even heard of debate before August 15th, participated in a tournament as novices the weekend of September 10/11. This is with less than one month instruction at 45 minutes a day. One student won 2 of 5 debates with two more very close decisions. The other debater had a fine first experience, winning one of his debates. Thank you Ms. Cocanougher for making my first year as a coach, so far, a much easier road to travel than it could have been.

Sincerely,
Maureen Mannion
Coach/ Legacy High School
Ocoee, Florida

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