Children and Chess: A Guide for Educators [Paperback]

Alexey W. Root (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 1591583586 | ISBN-13: 978-1591583585 | Publication Date: March 30, 2006 | Edition: 1

Children and Chess: A Guide for Educators is the first book to show the connection between accepted educational theories and chess. It features lesson plans teachers can use immediately, and from which they can learn the basics of the game. Since the plans meet academic goals through chess, teachers also learn that chess can be a part of reading, math, science, and social studies. An appendix showing how chess meets the requirements of curriculum standards is another plus.

Children and Chess: A Guide for Educators is the first book to show the connection between accepted educational theories and chess. The relationship of chess to academic and humanistic educational goals is convincingly illustrated as curriculum and psychological theories from John D. McNeil, Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, and Howard Gardner are outlined and applied to the question why chess? Children and Chess features lesson plans teachers can use immediately, and from which they can learn the basics of the game. Since the plans meet academic goals through chess, teachers also learn that chess can be a part of reading, math, science, and social studies. An appendix showing how chess meets the requirements of curriculum standards is another plus. Grades 4-8.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"[A]n in-depth analysis….Introducing readers to the incorporation of chess into a classroom curriculum, Children and Chess deftly explores the contribution which the game can have with respect to enhancing children's reading, math, science, and social studies skills. Providing a remarkably comprehensive grasp of the game's value for a child's intellectual skill development, Children and Chess is very strongly recommended reading for teachers and homeschooling parents of young students searching for a fun and highly educational activity."

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Library Bookwatch

"Root provides interesting and informative lesson plans but also gives educators the reasons and methods for including chess in their grade 3-8 classrooms; these reasons include the range of problem-solving possibilities and the few resources required. She provides planning tips and samples of lesson plans as well as a list of resources."

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Reference & Research Book News

"[A] book that provides plenty of solid explanations highlighting the value to students of learning and playing the royal game. Where necessary, the language of chess is translated into the language of education."

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Chessville.com

Book Description

Children and Chess: A Guide for Educators is the first book to show the connection between accepted educational theories and chess. Curriculum and psychological theories from John D. McNeil, Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, and Howard Gardner are outlined, and applied to the question why chess?

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 136 pages
• Publisher: Libraries Unlimited; 1 edition (March 30, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1591583586
• ISBN-13: 978-1591583585
• Product Dimensions: 10.9 x 8.5 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #249,573 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

My name is Alexey W. Root and I have a Ph.D. in education from UCLA. I was the 1989 U.S. Women's Chess Champion. I am available to give presentations about the topics covered in my books. Please contact me on Facebook or at [e-mail]. As a Senior Lecturer for The University of Texas at Dallas, I teach online, college-credit, chess curriculum courses. Please see http://www.utdallas.edu/chess/education-camp/chess-in-education.html. Earlier in my career, I taught social studies and English in secondary schools. In public and private K-12 schools, after-school programs, recreation centers, camps, university courses, and private lessons, I have taught chess to over 1500 people.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great chess teaching guide for educators!, April 23, 2006

By 

Pixellator "Web Designer , Chess Instructor, ... (CA, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Children and Chess: A Guide for Educators (Paperback)

I have been teaching chess to children for the last 15 years.
The first steps of learning this wonderfully complex and artistic game are the toughest for children. So, it is important to implement some special teaching techniques, as described in the book "Children and Chess: A Guide for Educators". By using these techniques, educators such as myself can help children learn about the abstract concepts of chess in a fun, hands-on manner.
I already use a lot of the techniques described in the book because they are effective. In addition, the book comes up with fresh and new perspectives that can add to the learning environment of chess. In this book, I have found new ideas that children love, such as the Charades chess game. All the children enjoy it, and even the shy ones participate in role-playing and acting as a chess piece!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Dr. Root teaches about chess and life in her book., May 7, 2007

By 

Cleretha C. Boynick - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Children and Chess: A Guide for Educators (Paperback)

Playing chess and living life provides many vivid opportunities for handling challenges and facing consequences that will assist the players to mature through many problem-solving lessons that are learned and chess aids the players to understand how to become increasingly knowledgeable players. Chess expert and author, Dr. Alexey Root talked about how chess train players how to handle life's challenges in her book. Dr. Root in her "Guide for Educators" the game, teaches players that they are in control of their decisions and choices. She explained how the players learn through actions and behaviors and about interacting with and facing new situations that occur in life. Through your reading, you will learn how Dr. Root, chess expert and author, relates playing chess is a lesson about life.

4 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An effective educational tool as evidenced through psychological studies, June 5, 2006

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Children and Chess: A Guide for Educators (Paperback)

Children And Chess: A Guide For Educators by academician and chess expert Alexey W. Root is an in-depth analysis of using the game of chess as an effective educational tool as evidenced through psychological studies. Introducing readers to the incorporation of chess into a classroom curriculum, Children And Chess deftly explores the contribution which the game can have with respect to enhancing children's reading, math, science, and social studies skills. Providing a remarkably comprehensive grasp of the game's valuable for a child's intellectual skill development, Children And Chess is very strongly recommended reading for teachers and homeschooling parents of young students searching for a fun and highly educational activity.