Chess is the aerobics of the mind. Chess has been shown to improve academic performance. A youngster taking part in a chess program develops critical thinking; logic, reasoning, and problem solving abilities; memory, concentration and visualization skills; confidence; patience; determination; poise; self-expression; and good sportsmanship. And perhaps more importantly, children who participate in chess programs improve their self-esteem. In addition, some serious studies testify that chess can help students to:
♣ Improve behavior, allowing them to focus for longer periods of time;
♣ Improve their math and verbal performance;
♣ Improve their organizational thought and their grades
♣ Become better problem solvers.
All those factors combined can greatly help students in their academic study. Our goal is to teach chess through French by using cross curriculum activities. For example, we will be able for example to introduce some basic math concepts such as:
♣ Geometry and spatial sense;
♣ Number sense, numeration;
♣ Concept of whole number operations;
♣ Whole number computation;
♣ Measurement. |
Students
Since 2002, Dr. Diakité, has been successfully using the game of chess as part of his French as a Foreign Language Class; first, at South Thibodaux Elementary School (Lafourche Parish Public Schools System, Louisiana), at Fairview Middle School (Leon County Public School System, Florida), and at Daspit Elementary School (Iberia Parish Schools System, Louisiana). He incorporated the game of chess as a language teaching tool in classroom activities. His main goal was to connect French to the core curriculum in order to strengthen the academic skills of the students. He did not want foreign language to be seen as the fifth wheel of the carousel, and his intention was always focused on finding a pedagogical means to connect French and other subjects such as mathematics, language and arts, social studies,etc. By doing so, he succeeded in minimizing discipline problems as well as arousing students' interest.