Students make all the right moves in innovative chess program

St. Louis—A rapidly growing number of schools are offering chess clubs before and after school; but five elementary schools in the St. Louis Public School District are actually bringing the game into the classroom. Through participation in the standards-based chess program First Move, second and third grade students at Baden, Dewey, Farragut, Mann and Mullanphy are having fun while improving their intelligence.

The purpose of First Move – created by America's Foundation for Chess – is to utilize chess as a learning tool that regular classroom teachers can use to support their existing academic, social and emotional goals for their students. By playing chess, students are given the opportunity to develop essential life skills, such as the power to think ahead, make good choices and think analytically. As they enjoy the game, they are grasping concepts in math, practicing patience and learning good sportsmanship.

Participating schools receive a two-year supplemental curriculum guide, on-line support, a chess mentor, instructional DVDs, classroom chess sets, and a 2-D chess board to hang on a wall or blackboard for demonstrations. In addition, each child receives their own chess set to take home, so they can play with friends and family in their free time.

First Move offers teachers collaborative training programs, personally assigned mentors, and ‘Teach the Teacher’ workshops that help connect the program to core subjects and learning concepts already being taught. Teachers devote about one hour of class time a week to the game.

“The students and I are having a great time learning to play chess,” said Farragut second grade teacher Carolyn Faulkner. “Most importantly, I see that chess is causing my students to think more critically.”

First Move is currently being offered to more than 25,000 students in eighteen states. SLPS is the first district in Missouri to participate. The district plans to expand the program to more elementary schools in the next year.