Teachers

First Move teachers are the cornerstone of the program. First Move teachers are not required to know how to play chess to facilitate the program. We provide extensive training and mentoring to our teachers ensuring teachers have the best advantage at teaching the program. 

First Move is easy for teachers to implement because The Chess Lady teaches the lessons on DVD.  The classroom teacher facilitates and has fun learning with the kids.  It’s all taught in manageable segments with reinforcing activities to help solidify the concepts.

The First Move chess curriculum is easy to follow and facilitate, and a perfect way for teachers to learn chess alongside their students.

Why Chess

Why Chess as a Learning Tool
Chess has been used for centuries as  not just a game, but as a learning tool to help develop and cultivate the mind. First Move focuses on using chess as a learning tool, to help enrich, promote, and develop critical thinking and analytical skills in 2nd and 3rd grade students.
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Research

Chess Education
In an effort to continuously improve the program, First Move follows chess education research, and has conducted an educational research study showing the impact chess has on 2nd and 3rd grade students.
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First Move Program

First Move | Chess Curriculum
America's Foundation for Chess uses chess as a learning tool to teach higher level thinking skills, advance math and reading skills and build self-esteem in students.  Our First Move program was professionally designed, maps to State Standards for 2nd and 3rd graders, and is fun and easy to teach.