Help - Wife teaching chess to elementary students

My wife teaches at a Montessori elementary school (K-6). She has chosen chess as the elective to teach this year. Her principal has ordered ten chess sets, and my wife likes to use her digital projector for instruction, along with other things.

The students rotate from one elective to another, so she only has them once a week for maybe ten weeks.

Suggestions? Internet resources? Thanks!

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Oops - the topic sounds a bit misleading. I am not saying, "oh no, help, my wife is teaching chess to children, poor kids!"

Probably get better responses over here:

Oh and don't forget there's a whole website just for kids, their parents, and coaches:

https://www.chesskid.com/

My teacher says don't just teach kids the quick wins, try to instill in them a longlasting love for the game. This is nextgen chess champions we're talking about here!

I think I read somewhere that there are exercises, somewhat like an ordinary school textbook, in the first two volumes of the Comprehensive Chess Course by Lev Alburt and Roman Pelts. Perhaps the Coakley books would be a good resource.

https://web.archive.org/web/20140708094112/http://www.chesscafe.com/text/review332.pdf

https://web.archive.org/web/20140708110137/http://www.chesscafe.com/text/review570.pdf

https://web.archive.org/web/20140708234342/http://www.chesscafe.com/text/review754.pdf

Also maybe:

Chess Tactics for Students by John A. Bain

https://web.archive.org/web/20140708095447/http://www.chesscafe.com/text/review318.pdf

The Chess Tactics Workbook by Al Woolum

http://empiricalrabbit.blogspot.com/2011/05/woolums-chess-tactics-workbook.html

Chess Strategy Workbook by Todd Bardwick

https://web.archive.org/web/20140708093012/http://www.chesscafe.com/text/review791.pdf

This is what i use to teach the basics of each phase of the game.

The basics of each phase of the game

Opening:

Follow the Opening principles:

1.      Control the center squares – d4-e4-d5-e5

2.      Develop your minor pieces toward the center – piece activity is the key

Ø  Complete your development before moving a piece twice or starting an attack.

Ø  Move pieces not pawns

3.      Castle

4.      Connect your rooks

Ø    By move 12, you should have connected your Rooks, or be about to do so.

Middle game:

When you have completed the Opening Principles, you are now at the middle game.  Now you need to formulate a middle game plan.  The middle game is a very complicated part of a chess game.  A simple way to develop a middle game plan is to perform the following steps.

1.      Scan your opponents 5^th, and 6^th ranks (3^rd, and 4^th if your black)

2.      Look for weak pawns, and or weak squares.

Ø  Weak pawns and squares are Pawns, and squares that cannot be defended by another Pawn.

Ø  Knights are excellent pieces on weak squares.

Ø  When deciding on weak squares, and weak Pawns to attack, the closer to the center the better

End game:

Start with the basics:

1.      Learn basic mates – KQ vs. K, KR vs. K, KRR vs. K

2.      Learn Opposition, and Key Squares

3.      Learn basic King and Pawn endings

I absolutely would not start with the Opening when teaching elementary students. I have taught classrooms full of children from K through fifth grade for more than ten years. I have started with pawn wars, and more recently I have started with checkmate with rook and king vs. king. Young children get things wrong. Starting with pawn wars left too many thinking that you win when you promote a pawn. That's why I switched to elementary checkmates. There are two links on my blog--Rockford Chess Club and Chester Nuhmenz--that offer reproducible worksheets your wife may find useful.

"Try to instill in them a long lasting love for the game." - Aquarius550

I'm a teacher as well. During recess, I go to the playground and set out my tournament size roll up board and triple weighted pieces. Kids have never seen chess sets this large. They love it. I use a chess clock so many can take a crack at beating the teacher, and they realize for the first time that the game does not have to last forever. It can be fun, fast, and exciting. That gets them hooked, giving me the opportunity to teach the deeper stuff to those that show interest.   
 

While on summer vacation, I visited my younger brother and taught his 5 year old son the game. He would ask, "would this be a good plan - or - is this a safe move?" The boy takes his time, thinking ahead on every move, age 5!

The Rockford Chess Club worksheets are perfect. Thank you.

Regarding teaching kids checkmate, I suggested chesskid.com to my wife. The videos on checkmating the castled and uncastled king are outstanding and short (10min). "In this castled position, which square would you attack, f7,g7 or h7?"  The video authors call f7/f2 the square of doom! It's all really good teaching.

My wife just got home, very happy to know where to find reproducible worksheets. Thanks James!

I keep a stack of the Rockford worksheets on en passant in my chess bag at all times. No one explains it better for young children.

check out richard james, the right way to teach chess to kids. he has a mountain of stuff. also jeff collier (I think). good luck.

yes, my kid followed the steps method, among other things, its excellent.

You might get some ideas and inspiration from watching some of the videos on YouTube from the Chess Club and Scholastic Center of Saint Louis, in the "Kids' Beginner" category.

http://www.youtube.com/user/STLChessClub/playlists

A dozen years ago, I had a CD that used the step method described by IM pfren. I found the approach to br educationally sound. https://www.newinchess.com/Chess_Tutor___Chessica-p-2436.html

Thanks so much for all the responses and links. My wife greatly appreciates everyone's help.

is your wife better than u lol

is your wife better than u lol

need a coach but not.one who is worse.than.me.at chess