Chess in Classrooms for K to 3rd Grade at PS 6

Chess in Classrooms for K to 3rd Grade at PS 6
We are a group of PS 6 parents seeking to preserve and enhance the chess program at PS6. We are proposing that chess be offered in the classroom beginning in the second semester of Kindergarten, throughout 1st and 2nd grade, and during the first semester of 3rd grade.

It is important that chess instruction begin in Kindergarten. Chess in the early years does not even involve playing the game as adults and advanced students know it it involves simpler games, puzzles and exercises that are fun and instructional for the children. These exercises engage the imagination, and develop pattern recognition and logic and problem-solving skills.

We respectfully ask the SLT to support this proposal for the following reasons:

● Chess in the classroom supports the current PS 6 curriculum in building critical thinking skills, creativity, originality, endurance, focus, and the ability to apply abstract concepts to various situations. Chess has been proven to enhance standardized test score results and improve math, reading and reasoning skills.

● The benefits of chess apply across the board to all students it is both an enrichement program for students who are achieving academically, as well as a proven benefit for those who are struggling. Chess has been used in many lower-performing schools because it not only improves academics, self-confidence and social skills, but it also improves students attention span and ability to stay on task.

● Lastly, it is important to note that other schools have recently taken steps to enlarge or support their chess programs. They are joining the large number of public and private schools that have early grade chess based instruction. By reconfirming its commitment to chess, PS 6 will not only provide its students with the opportunity to improve many aspects of critical and creative thinking, but also provide them with opportunity to learn an activity which they can engage in for the rest of their livesit enables them to see themselves as life-long learners. Lets allow future PS 6 students the opportunity to receive the benefits that previous students have had.