America's Foundation for Chess News

Fun and Training in Scotch Plains New Jersey

Wendi — Wed, 08 Sep 10 13:25:13 -0700

What fun I had last week training our teachers in Scotch Plains, NJ! All five elementary schools in Scotch Plains are participating in First Move thanks to a grant from their local Stage House Restaurant. After training I went to the Stage House for dinner and had an amazing Seared Ahi Tuna Salad. Looking forward to visiting Scotch Plains and The Stage House Restaurant again!

Ready for a New School Year!

Wendi — Thu, 26 Aug 10 10:27:03 -0700

It has been a wonderful summer, but I am ready for school to be in session again! I welcome back our returning schools and am very excited to say hello to our new schools. Nearly 60,000 students will be using First Move this year. Wow! I will let you know what I am up to and if I am coming to your area. Be sure to let me know what you and your class are up to as well.

Poetry Contest Winner

Shanelle — Tue, 01 Jun 10 12:13:16 -0700

First Move received over 500 entries for our second annual poetry contest. Picking a winner proved difficult with the number of well written entries we received, but we would like to congratulate the following winners:

Second Grade Winner

Monale Barikuma, from Ms. Martin’s class at Booker Elementary School in Spring Texas

Click to view poem

Third Grade Winner

Barrett Long from Mrs. Bach’s class at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic School in Las Vegas Nevada

Click to view poem

Participation awards are being mailed out this week.

Will Smith To Play Salome Thomas-El

Shanelle — Fri, 23 Apr 10 09:23:01 -0700

Will Smith will play the part of AF4C Board Member Salome Thomas-El in the forthcoming Disney film based on his autobiography.

Thomas-El's life is chronicled in his book I Choose To Stay: A Black Teacher Refuses to Desert the Inner City, and is one of the inspirational stories of our time.

Thomas-El grew up without a father in the home, one of eight kids born to a poor inner-city Philadelphia mom. He struggled with his own poverty, as well as the neighborhood's negative attitude towards education. He persisted though, and overcame, returning to his home town to teach middle-school students. Now he is the Principal, but still tries to spend time in the classroom, working directly with kids. He constantly drives home the message that hard work, preparation and lofty goals deliver results. Arnold Schwarzenegger was so impressed by Thomas-EL during a visit in 1999 that he “came bahhhk” in 2000. His foundation awarded the school a $20,000 grant.

To parents and educators, he emphasizes involvement in their children's lives, and the setting of a positive role model. This interaction provides what he terms "the immortality of influence."

Although he learned the game of chess from an older brother at an early age, he never really did anything with it until he became a teacher, and then decided to pick the game up again as a way to teach his students some of the many life-lessons to be gleaned from the game, including decision-making, problem-solving, and critical-thinking skills. And through it all, he maintains a constant drum-beat of a message:

"Education is the only salvation."

His success with his kids in the chess arena has been well documented. Eight national championships in the first year alone. But it's the success helping kids change their lives for the better that most inspires Thomas-El. Many of his kids became motivated to stay in school, graduate and go on to college.

Says Thomas-El of the kid's success, "They had been inspired and motivated by good teachers to know that if you work hard, there's nothing you can't do." He now works to spread chess to all school children, working with America's Foundation for Chess. Disney Studios is preparing to film Thomas-El's life story, based on his autobiography, and starring Will Smith.

“I Choose to Stay is an intensely moving story of loyalty and courage and a deeply personal tribute to the great potential of our inner-city kids, so frequently dismissed and denigrated by American Society.” - Jonathan Kozol, Best-selling author of Savage Inequalities and Amazing Grace

“This is a powerful story about what an inspirational teacher can do...” - William H. Gray, III, President, United Negro College Fund

My Outstanding Visit to Northgate Crossing in Texas!

Wendi — Mon, 19 Apr 10 11:21:41 -0700

What an exciting adventure I just had! Last Friday I had the opportunity to visit Northgate Crossing Elementary School in Spring ISD, Texas. What an outstanding group of kids! They were so well behaved and polite and very enthusiastic. It is always a treat to visit schools, but what made this trip extra special is that we were taping a segment for The Today Show!! It will be airing the end of April (date still to be determined). The producer and reporter from the show were wonderful to work with, and the kids did so well with cameras watching them. One of my favorite parts was when all the kids did a cheer that they wrote especially for me, it was awesome! Thank you Spring ISD and Northgate Crossing for a great trip.

Essay Contest Winners

Shanelle — Wed, 07 Apr 10 09:44:05 -0700

Our February Essay Contest was a huge success! We enjoyed reading all of your student's compositions. The essays reinforce what all of us at First Move are passionate about...chess as a powerful educational tool for young minds. Each student who participated in the contest will receive a special First Move keychain and grand prize winners will be receiving a special surprise! Thanks to all who participated!

First Place Winners are Listed Below in Grade Order

Lolita Mafoud, 2nd Grade in Mrs. Mazy’s class at Notre Dame Academy, New York

Rachel Amegatcher, 3rd Grade in Ms. Stefan’s class at Tarkington School of Excellence, Illinois

C.J. Vicuna, 4th Grade in Ms. Rimkus class at Our Lady of Las Vegas, Nevada

Chess program has students feeling like kings and queens

Shanelle — Fri, 26 Mar 10 10:32:59 -0700

By Meaghan Casey

Atlanta Public Schools

Chess is a game steeped in tradition, concentration and strategy. Yet, despite its ancient roots and stark simplicity compared to video games, more and more young people throughout Atlanta Public Schools are jumping on board.

Chess clubs are thriving at Fain, Dobbs, West Manor, Usher-Collier Heights, Humphries and M. Agnes Jones elementary schools, spurred by a partnership with the Kappa Boule of Sigma Pi Phi Fraternity and America’s Foundation for Chess. Kappa provides chess equipment and training, while the foundation provides a First Move curriculum that helps students develop analytical skills, academic proficiency and self-esteem.

“It’s a game, but they’re learning math and history along the way,” said Ann Hill, a First Move teacher at M. Agnes Jones. “They’re really enthusiastic about it, and their concentration and critical-thinking skills have definitely improved. They’ve learned to think ahead and anticipate other people’s actions.”

Jones fifth-grader Nasir Campbell calls chess a game of war and strategy. “You have to attack but you also have to defend what you’re doing,” he said. “It challenges your thinking.”

Jones students have been playing competitive chess since 2005, and regularly participate in sanctioned tournaments. Jones third-grader Yusef Abdul-Hakim excelled during a recent citywide competition, before losing to a college student.

“It teaches you to think more than one move at a time,” said Abdul-Hakim. The game also teaches students to excel in other areas. Many of the club members have been recognized for attaining honor roll status or earning straight A’s.

Chess clubs are thriving at Fain, Dobbs, West Manor, Usher-Collier Heights, Humphries and M. Agnes Jones elementary schools, spurred by a partnership with Kappa Boule of Sigma Pi Phi Fraternity and America's Foundation for Chess. Photo by Scott King

“Over the years, these students have been at the top in terms of academic achievement,” said Louis Childers, school social worker and coordinator of the First Move program at Jones.

“It can make you smarter,” said Jones third-grader Micah Maynard. “You do better in other subjects like math and science. If I keep playing, it can open a lot of doors for me in life.”

Maynard and her brother, Peter, a fourth-grader, hone their skills at home. And they’ve learned to do so without exhibiting sibling rivalry.

“Win or lose, you learn how to be a good sport,” said Micah Maynard. “And you’re having fun.”

According to Bertram Sears, a Kappa Boule volunteer, that is exactly the type of attitude his fraternity hopes to encourage.

“It exposes them to sportsmanship -- the thrill of victory and gracious defeat,” said Sears.

Parent Michael Scholfield agrees. He has been more than impressed with his 6-year-old son Matthew’s improved behavior since learning the game at Jones.

“He’s more disciplined and patient,” said Scholfield.

“Chess has taught him to lose gracefully and to win gracefully -- not to gloat. It’s all about doing your best.”

Chess club members from the six elementary schools compete monthly for a traveling trophy, which stays with the winning team. At the end of the year, the school with the best cumulative performance earns the trophy permanently. The winning team will also be invited to Kappa’s annual Social Action Luncheon on May 15, where individual trophies will be presented.

Checkmate, Math

Shanelle — Tue, 16 Feb 10 09:42:20 -0800

By

Updated: 02.08.10

For second and third graders stressing over their introduction to long multiplication and division, First Move may be an answer to their math problems.

Utilizing the game of chess as a learning tool for understanding math in young students, America’s Foundation for Chess, a non-profit organization, developed First Move and the program is scheduled to be implemented in the Pasadena Independent School District.

The district is in the process of accumulating corporate sponsors which would make First Move part of the school curriculum.

“It develops critical thinking at a young age,” said Karen Hickman, associate superintendent of curriculum and instruction (pre-K through grade six) for Pasadena ISD.

Through the program, each student will be given a miniature chess set to take home and classes will be equipped with several chess sets for practice in addition to receiving First Move instruction one hour per week. Parents will also be provided with literature to participate in First Move at home with their children.

Hickman, who had been in the market for a program like First Move, was contacted by Laura Bang-Knudsen, the director of America’s Foundation for Chess, which is in its 10th year and is utilized in 27 states and three countries.

Hickman received an enthusiastic response from at least 25 schools in the district with price tag of $650 per classroom, but knew that funding was going to be an obstacle.

To Bang-Knudsen, Pasadena presented a unique case and she believed that the needs outweighed the resources or circumstances.

“Karen explained the funding situation in Pasadena ISD and I told that if she wanted the program, I would find her the money,” Bang-Knudsen said. “I have never done that with another district anywhere and it’s normally not the way we do it. Karen was very direct and didn’t pull any punches and I appreciate that because she has the children’s needs at heart. I just took it on as a personal cause.”

Bang-Knudsen promised that if the district wanted the 218 classrooms to have First Move, she would actively find sponsors and Blue Bell Creamery was the first to step up.

Already, America’s Foundation for Chess has ordered the needed chess sets and instructional DVDs and expects to implement begin training teachers in the summer and First Move will be ready for Pasadena ISD by fall 2010.

Hickman, a former principal at Matthys Elementary in PISD, has seen the results using chess as a math tool first-hand. Her step-father, Denny Delafield, was a long-time educator in Pasadena in administration and in the classroom.

He was also a chess aficionado, belonging to national chess clubs.

“I have seen chess work from my own viewpoint,” she said. “That was one his trademarks and he really did a lot of neat things with chess in the classroom. He just had phenomenal results with these kids who participated heavily in chess. At Matthys, we had always had a chess club and again, the results were great.”

With test scores throughout the district, state and nation signaling a problem area in mathematics, First Move would be a logical move for the district, Hickman said.

“They (test scores) show that we are lacking in critical thinking,” she said. “Chess is a natural fit to develop that in a non-testing, high-stakes.”

Pasadena also ranks third from the bottom in state-funding, something that struck a chord for Bang-Knudsen.

“I grew up poor and school saved me, so this is personal for me,” she said. “I take a real interest in schools that service large populations of reduced lunch programs and this is the only time I looked at an assistant superintendent and said, ‘I’ll find you the money.’ I will just go down the list and call and find them the money.”

At an age when one plus one multiplies into mystifying territory for some students, First Move can make the leap into advanced math an easier transition.

“It’s about getting your brain to work in a logical manner and practicing that is very important,” said Hickman. “Some students just haven’t worked that part of their brain as much. Starting that in the second grade, we think we have the potential of really helping some kids.”

At South Houston Elementary, CASE (Cooperative for Afterschool Enrichment) coordinator Alma Quiroga can see the correlation between her chess club students and their math performance.

“It helps with their thinking, problem-solving and I see it make a difference in their work,” she said.

What the game of chess brings to the table, said Bang-Knudsen, is empowering young minds.

“Chess is about kings and queens and battles and what kid doesn’t like kings, queens and battle? Little kids do not have that preconceived notion that they can’t learn something – they just love it,” she said. “When you move that chess piece, it causes the other person on the other side of the table to have a reaction and the results are very tangible. When you can get a kid believing they are smart, that’s a great thing.”

Additional sponsors are welcome and to find more information on First Move, call 1-866-973-AF4C or visit www.af4c.org.

Upcoming Tournaments

Shanelle — Tue, 02 Feb 10 15:30:59 -0800

Saturday Feb. 6th and Sunday Feb. 7th

Bloomfield Hills District Tournament

Monday Feb. 15th

All school Presidents Day Tournament

Tournament Participation

Each time a student logs on and plays a full game of chess, they will be given a point for their class. The class with the most points will win an award for each student.

How to Access Online Play

1. Go to our website www.af4c.org. In the top left hand corner you will see the online play login section. Enter your online play password (the password format is your school's name and teacher's last name, plus a number from 1-36). For example, Ms. Jackson's class from Wilson Elementary school is wilsonjackson. The first student's password would be wilsonjackson1, the second student would be wilsonjackson2 and so on.

2. Once logged in, you will be automatically directed to the online play website.

3. Java is required to run online play. If you do not have Java, you will be asked to download the Java software, (Java can be downloaded safely from our site).

4. A screen will appear with avatars. Students may input their age and select an avatar then click OK.

5. The screen will change and the chessboard will appear. Select "Play Regular Chess" or "Pawn Game" (it may take up to 45 seconds for an opponent to appear.

6. Play and have fun!!

For more information or tournament details please email .

MLK Tournament Winners

Shanelle — Tue, 02 Feb 10 15:29:04 -0800

Martin Luther King Day Tournament Winners

Congratulations to Angela McCathern's second grade class at Rosa Parks Elementary School in Redmond, WA. They are this years winners of the MLK Day tournament.