Checker School Program

[kim willis]

Hello everyone,
Today was the beginning of my travels to one school in which I walked into a 4th grade class. I had many children sitting waiting for me. As I entered the room I had many 4th graders all excited to see me. I spoke to them about my travels and how I loved the game of checkers. As I began I seen these young children all sitting around listening. I had many ask questions about how I started and how i got to where I am today in the game of checkers.

I had teachers listening and many coming into class. I even had the principal sitting in to hear what i had to tell these kids. I was at the school for 2 hours. Not one child was bored. I started off with basic things as color of the board, color of checkers , and the numbers in which they were going to learn.
I was amazed of how each one had a like and dislike but I explained to them whatever they liked to do they could use it in this game. One girl liked math and was very good at it. One liked to draw. One liked to read. One liked to do experiments. I spoke to each one about checkers. In the 2 hours I had with these kids each one was willing to learn how to play.

So I for first lesson was to teach them the correct way to place the board. Numbers on the board and which red and white checker went on which numbers. I taught them sequences from single corner to single corner. basic things in which we as players of this game really haven't thought about. That is because most of us just go to tournaments and play and go home.
I had one 17 yr old come into the class. He thought it was funny how i told them that checkers was not just a kids game. But was a very strategic game. Then I had 3 other older kids come in. This was amazing that not only 10 to 12 yr olds sat in this class but teenagers as well.
Before I left I handed out what boards i had and checkers. Plus set up a problem for these kids to look at an try to solve. We will see if they can solve it. This problem like i told them will sit there till it is solved. I even have teachers and principle involved to find this solution.I also spoke about chess. These kids were sharp. I had one young girl tell me each piece and how they moved. This was a experience in which everyone of you should try. For this gave me a whole new outlook on our future. And a smile on my face

No matter the age we all can learn something even if it is just a checker game.

Kim

[Alan Millhone]

Hello Kim:

What you are beginning could be the start of a 'grass roots' program in many schools !! I have known you for ten years and always realized your true passion is with youth in the game. Without those youth Checkers and the ACF is doomed to extinction. Educators will in time with higher test scores from students will realize the benefits of the study of the game in a scientific way. Your biggest problem will be providing enough boards and peices to satisfy what will be a growing demand as you add more students from other schools into your program. Your post Kim is very positive news and very important. Thanks for all you do for youth and the ACF. We are lucky to have you on board .

Sincerely:
Alan Millhone, President
American Checker Federation

[tommyc]

Kim yu are a true promoter of the game if only there was more like you.Legends that is.

[Irma Sierra]

CONGRATULATIONS KIMMY FOR YOUR EFFORT!!!

[tommyc]

Dont expect any backing from most a these dingbats on here!!..............

[Pedro Saavedra]

Kim,

I think this is great. Many years ago I was interested in promoting chess in the schools and had extensive discussions with other educators and chess promoters (I was both, having directed the Virginia Intescholastic Chess tourney among others and received my dictorate in Educational Psychology). From some of the conversations came the topic of checkers and one concern.

The concern was that there are many versions of checkers besides our game, and they are often associated with different sub-cultures or nationalities. The issue was how to present the alternatives of Pool Checkers for the African American community and Spanish Checkers for the Hispanic in a way that would be a source of pride, without diluting the teaching of English Draughts. One argument for chess and not checkers was that there was only one version and it was played around the world.

Among potential playing partners for many school children are parents and other family members. In my school days (long, long ago) that would have meant Spanish Checkers, as that is all my parents played. For many African American children that would mean Pool Checkers. For children of immigrants from European countries that may be some other version.

What do you think? Should there be at least a brief discussion of such variants? At least enough to avoid conflict with families about "the rules of checkers"? Should the presentation be different for schools in different parts of the country where different versions vary in popularity?

One reason why I particularly favor checkers in the school is precisely its ability to bridge generations. But that is limited in households where a different version is played at home.
Let us know if this issue has ever come up. I am curious.

And keep up the good work.

Pedro

[jaguar72]

An outstanding post, Mr. Saavedra; you make some excellent points; nothing is ever as simple as it seems, including promoting checkers, no matter where or how you do it... .

Kim, I sent you some things via UPS this morning...I hope the equipment will be of some use in your efforts.

V/R,

Gary Jenkins/jaguar72

[Danny_Alvarez]

I think where this is heading is something along these lines ......
a checkers curriculum.... where Kim and others like her agree (with or without our help) on the best 'format' to do checkers in schools (the more standardised this is the easier it will be for others to approach schools in their localities) . the curriculum could include such things as the ones Pedro mentioned and many other things that help get a grasp of the game.


(i know i'm a dreamer..... shoot me down later let me dream for now, shoot me later)

if we make everything easier more people will join..... the ACF should make a pack that tells people everything, from how to approach school principals, to how to conduct the presentations for kids, etc. Obviously some room for the person doing it a little bit different should be allowed but general guidelines should be provided.

ok now u can start shooting lol

Cheers
D. Alvarez

PS Kim you may have started a movement

[kim willis]

hello Danny,
I sure hope so
As the holiday is getting nearer I have plans to put together a booklet to take with me to schools. This will give a brief introduction of my porogram and how it will help children learn.

I have really amazed teachers, principles and students on how a game of checkers can help them in their school work.
My husband said what if i got 1000 kids? I said I would worry about that when it happens. Never know. I still will be speaking to people I meet and tell them my story.

kim

[Alex_Moiseyev]

When I was in "kids checkers club" at 7, we had twice a week two lessons in the row, 45 minutes each with break. The total time (90 minutes) for two lessons was divided as following:

1) Check homework 5-10 minutes.
2) Theory (publish play) - 10-20 minutes
3) Strategy, 10-20 minutes
4) Solving problems (tactics) - 10-20 minutes
5) Actual play, usually small robin round event with (mostly) or without clocks , 20-30 minutes.

I remember that first 2-3 lessons were spent to learn how to record games & game rules and how to use clocks.

400 students too much, this is not a theatre and not a college where one professor who reads and explain material to all. Checkers coach has to reach every individual. Normal class cannot be more than 10-15 students. Otherwise it will be a mess and less productive.

Alex

[Alex_Moiseyev]

Should there be at least a brief discussion of such variants? At least enough to avoid conflict with families about "the rules of checkers"?

No, there shouldn't be any discussions at all. We have to promote our form of game, we don't promote other mind games - GO, Bridge, Chess or other forms of draughts.

All games you mentioned (POOL checkers, Spanish Checkers, Russian Checkers, Brazilian Checkers, International Draughts, Italian Checkers, Czech Draughts ...did I miss something ?) are different with different rules. Other Federations and Associations should take care of this.

FMJD recently kicked off both Sections - 64 and Checkers from participation in 2011 SportAccord event in Beijing, September, arguing that there should be only ONE form of game to be represented, International Draughts, and now we should think about them and other ???

Alex

[kim willis]

hi Alex,
400 kids are not in 1 school it is a total from all 4 schools. To much you say hmmmm well I get 2 hrs with each. As for teaching other variations or forms of checkers nope just american. You can say what you want alex but this is my passion. I plan on doing this and if at some point the teachers want my material i will give them lessons too.

kim

[Alex_Moiseyev]

if at some point the teachers want my material i will give them lessons too.

Thats interesting. If you will be working in Japaneese community neighboorhood, they more likely may ask you about GO Many coaches in American schools teach both - chess and checkers.

My Russian friend in New York is running both, International Draughts and chess and has National youth Champions in both discplines. Quite possible, but not easy. He has separate independent classes which are not connected.

my passion.

Can you describe me in simple wording your passion ?

[kim willis]

hi Alex,
you ask me what my passion is? My passion is to teach, speak, give my knowledge of checkers to anyone I meet. I want to see this grow. My passion is to have the biggest ACF Youth Tourney ever. I want to drive up to the hotel where the 2012 Nationals is with 2 or 4 buses full of youth. And be able to step off the bus with them. That is my passion. Not have maybe 5 or 10 youth but maybe 50 to 100 or more.

Passion to me is something I believe in and strive for. But this is also something you have to work for.
Now Alex what is your passion? You are a Champion of this great game I would like to know what your passion is.

[Alex_Moiseyev]

Hi, Kim !

Merry X-Mas to you and your family !

Thanks for answering on my question, you have great passion which I beleive is not a dream, but excellent reality in the very nearest future, maybe even this year. I proud of you and things you are doing. I also am very happy because your goals are meet my dreams too.

You are a Champion of this great game I would like to know what your passion is.

Here is my answer ...

My goal is the same as yours, but my passion is different. Checkers infrastructure as for all other sports and businesses looks like pyramide. We have on the lower level hundred and thousand players at beginner level, youth players, players from other countries. And here is where your passion works - get more youth players on board, get them to love game and keep the base of pyramide solid and raise it.

But there is also another level - a peak of pyramide, just several, 10-20 strong players only. These are people who spent years and years to study and master the game. They are minority, but they well deserved to earn something and be awarded for their efforts. In different with your passion, my dream is more unrealistic - I wish that we can bring checkers to professional level with many $$$$$ prices and professional contracts, when I can play checkers for living.

And here is an area of my expertise and my passion ... I want to get more strong players on the board, I want players study game seriously, I want to have much, much more International events.

Both levels of pyramide are important: checkers will die without having and raising a base, without having and raising number of players and newcomers. But checkers also will die if we don't have well supported peak level and don't get too many players at high level and get them paid.

If we have good $$$$$ at the peak, this would be a great stimulus for your students and you can tell them: "Alex Moiseyev recently defended his title and earned one million dollars. If you want to beat him and get these money, you have to study the game. Show me, please, your homewrok!"

In chess we have one champion, than 1 inch below - 20 players and another inch below - 50 players. In checkers unfortunately this gup is much, much bigger. Competition is extremely low, number of events is very small, no money involve.

My passion is - improve this piece and part of pyramide.

So ... you dream is - leave the bus with many hundred kids in it, my dream is - see 5 separate Qualify tournaments played on different continents, and witness world title match contract for lets say $1,000,000. I would like to see rating list with 20,000 names on it.

So, in conclusion I should say that we both are working on the same thing - checkers pyramide and try to raise and improve it, but you are working on base, I am working on peak.

Regards,

Alex