My students need chess sets so they can practice at home!
$300 goal
Hooray! This project is fully funded
Hooray! This project is fully funded
My Students
I teach chess in an inner-city school to students in grades K-4. While they're diverse in all the ways one might expect, the most interesting (and challenging, but also rewarding!) thing about my students is how different they are socially and emotionally.
Every single one of my roughly 250 students in grades K-4 has positively benefited from learning chess this year.
The transformation has been startling, it's only February. At the beginning of the year I had more students than I can count who just couldn't stay in their seats — several with the emotions of a ticking time bomb. Early in the year, the students in one of my second grade classes argued and bickered with each other worse than I've ever seen in an elementary classroom. Some students came right out and said they hated chess or hated my class — and a few said they hated ME when particularly angry.
Now I see students who can sit still and focus for longer periods of time; confine conflict to the chessboard; participate in class even if they are just learning English; ask and answer multi-step questions; and leave the class visibly calmer than they entered it.
My Project
One of the oldest games in the world remains an excellent way to encourage a growth mindset in young learners. This mindset is fostered when a student loses a piece, is put on the defensive, and/or responds to an attack. He or she must instantly learn from the mistake. Studies confirm that Chess increases reading ability, improves concentration, and builds academic confidence.
Chess is a giant puzzle, students need to think 'on their feet' and use critical thinking skills to defeat their opponent.
The myriad of intellectual situations during a great game of Chess are infinite.
I would love to see my students share their knowledge with family members. Someday I hope they will look back and say with pride, "I learned how to play Chess with Mr. Harding". I am requesting chess sets so my students can practice what they learn in school at home. Many of my students are very enthusiastic about learning chess and ask me every day if they can borrow a board with pieces so they can practice at home. Your very generous donation would ensure that my students gave the opportunity to practice and continue the learning at home.
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