During parent-teacher conferences in January, Finch Elementary School fourth grader Kate told her teacher, Melanie Sullivan, that she wanted to start a chess club after learning to play the game with family members.
Ms. Sullivan helped get the word out, and soon 30 kids were meeting after school each week to learn and play chess. Kate’s friend Stella was also an avid chess player and joined her in leading the club.
“I love playing with my grandpa, and I thought it would be a great idea to just help kids who don't know how to play chess, because it’s so fun,” Stella said.
Right now, the club includes just third and fourth graders, but after Spring Break, Kate and Stella will explore opening it up to other grades.
Kate said about half the club attendees already knew how to play, while the other half wanted to learn. Kate and Stella led the chess lessons, with assistance from Kate’s dad.
“At first we taught what the pieces were, how they moved and how to set up a board,” Stella said. Kids also learned about checkmate, stalemate and more. From there, everybody started learning by doing.
There’s a learning curve to playing chess, no matter your age, and some students had to learn by losing before they fully understood the game and its strategy.
“It can be frustrating to lose, but it’s satisfying to know you played a fun game and someone else won, which is cool,” Kate said. “You just try and be a good sport.”
On March 13, the club met for the conclusion of a multi-week chess tournament. Two semi-final matches were held, with the rest of the club spectating or playing chess matches of their own.
In the end, fourth grader Orlando came out victorious.
Without Chess Club, both Kate and Stella said they’d be at home probably watching television. The Finch Chess Club is one of many clubs and activities kids have access to before and after school. Spokane Public Schools is expanding extracurricular opportunities through Engage In Real Life (IRL), an initiative with LaunchNW to get kids off screens and active in their community.
Students like Kate and Stella are leading the charge at Finch, and their efforts are encouraging other kids to get involved. Opportunities outside of the classroom for kids to connect over shared interests helps them develop social and personal skills to support their growth into middle schoolers, high schoolers and adults.
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