My middle school students need 15 chess sets to have their student requested chess class elective added to next year's courses.
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I am a mathematics teacher in the Harlem neighborhood of New York City at a specialized school for math, science and engineering. We are a unique specialized school in that we are the only public magnet school in the country with a majority population of minorities and 100% economically disadvantaged student body according to state demographics. We are diverse and represent almost all ethnic groups and religions. We are a family of varying income children who have consistently demonstrated significantly above average intelligence.
One of my Latino students came to school one day and forgot his notebook because he was greatly excited about the chess set that he had been given and had under his arm. Though he didn't know how to play he had confidence that I could teach him. I didn't have time that day but one of my black students did. Most of the students knew what chess was but not how to play. Soon a diverse group began staying after school regularly (as late as 6pm), united around that one chess set, to learn from me, and each other, how to play chess. As a mathematics teacher, I know the value added by chess to the development of mental strength and stayed to support their interest. Now I have also learned how a game of strategy can also unite children with little in common.
Now the students have requested that we offer a semester long elective course next year teaching/learning chess. One board is not enough to start a club, let alone offer a course to thirty students. Our principal has given approval to offer the elective if we can find a way to obtain the needed materials. The first materials we need are fifteen chess sets.
You can help my students realize their proposed course by providing us support. In a world where kids want so much, it is refreshing to know that there are children that just desire an opportunity to learn something new and develop a skill that requires using their minds. Please support our children's goal.
Half of students from low‑income households
Data about students' economic need comes from the National Center for Education Statistics, via our partners at MDR Education. Learn more
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