Chess wizards
Club to compete in tournament
By Katie Johnson Austin Daily Herald
Published Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Banfield Elementary chess wizards will compete in a tournament May 5.
Advisor and first grade teacher Rachel Prijatel said the school’s Chess Club — now in its second year — has been meeting twice a month after school.
“Most days we just have practice, and they have an opportunity to learn the game if they don’t already know it,” Prijatel said.
This will be the second tournament of the year; the first was held before winter break. The winner will receive a prize.
Anywhere from a dozen to 26 students from grades 3-5 participate in Chess Club each week in the wood gym.
“I think they enjoy it because of the challenge and social opportunity to play with their friends after school,” said Prijatel, who serves as a supervisor only. “As they get better and better, you can see them just glowing.”
Two fifth-graders serve as club leaders, and they help out students learning to play chess. Most who join the club already know the game.
The club was started when some students wanted to form a club from a popular free time activity.
“Some of the fifth-graders really got into chess and had approached their teacher,” Prijatel said.
The Banfield Chess Club is funded by the Banfield Parent Teacher Committee.
Source: http://www.austindailyherald.com
That’s awesome!