How is First Move different from a chess club ?

A rapidly growing number of schools have chess clubs, which typically meet before school, after school, or during lunch.  These clubs are, of course, voluntary, and focus on a balance of fun and competition.  Most charge a fee to cover the cost of coaching and materials.  First Move works within the existing classroom structure. Our goal is neither to maximize competitive skills nor simply have fun.  Rather, we hope to use chess as a learning tool that regular classroom teachers can use to support their existing academic, social and emotional goals for their students.  This goal has several ramifications.

• All students in the classroom gain the benefits of chess.
• In-classroom instruction involves more discussion and group problem solving.
• Students end up playing to learn, not playing to win.
• Students transfer the intellectual, social and emotional qualities from the game of chess to the larger world and to school success.
   

Why is First Move only offered in 2nd and 3rd grade?

• This is a critical time for building a strong foundation of thinking skills.
• The curriculum is mapped to the National Standards for 2nd and 3rd graders.
• This is a significant age for developing an attachment to school. If learning is fun, kids have a stronger attachment to school.
• Studies have shown girls to lose interest in math and science at about 4th or 5th grade.  Girls who play chess tend to stick with math and science longer.
• In many school systems, as kids get older, being smart is not necessarily cool.  In 2nd and 3rd grade, kids like to be smart; and chess has the “brand” attribute that people who play chess are smart. Kids who believe they are smart have a funny way of becoming just that.
   

As a teacher, I like the benefits of chess, but I don’t play.  How can I have First Move in my classroom?

Most of our teachers didn’t know how to play when they incorporated First Move into their curriculum.  Believe it or not, this is actually an advantage! Next to the quality of our curriculum, the professional training and preparation of our teachers is at the heart of the Foundations’ goals.  We have developed a training program that will teach you why chess is such a powerful tool, how it relates to almost every subject you teach, how to play chess, and how to implement chess in the classroom.  Every teacher is assigned an e-mentor who will send out tips and hints and answer question that come up throughout the school year, and we have an interactive DVD with the lessons and reviews.  Our Teacher Education Development Network, TEDNET, connects First Move teachers online and offers them support.

Standardized tests are a priority in my district, how does First Move address these tests?

Chess will never be on a standardized test, but the thinking skills chess teaches will be tested.  Chess teaches kids how to analyze and make good decisions, to think strategically and foresee consequences.  In the process kids also learn good sportsmanship and patience which are not on the standardized tests either, but nice qualities to see in students. 

What is the time commitment for First Move?

First Move is 45-60 minutes per week.

How can we have the First Move chess program at our school?

Contact Wendi Fischer, Vice President Scholastic Marketing and Development at 425-284-3322, or wendi@af4c.org

What is the cost for First Move?

Schools (or districts) pay an annual ‘subscription’ on a per classroom basis, with the remaining costs provided by AF4C fund raising efforts.

What is included in the First Move program?

Teachers receive the Teacher Manual complete with two years of curriculum (lessons, worksheets and handouts, tools for assessment, DVD users guides, and optional extended activities), a demonstration board, all chess boards and sets, an interactive DVD of the curriculum, a DVD player, an assigned e-mentor, and TEDNET, our Teacher Education Development Network.

If our school has an after school chess club can we still get First Move?

Absolutely.  In fact, chess clubs flourish as First Move introduces all 2nd and 3rd graders to the game of chess, thereby increasing club participation by those students that want to advance their game and/or enter competition.  

How can I support an individual school or classroom?

Contact AF4C by email, wendi@af4c.org or phone, 425-284-3322.